N/A Painting a PCP tank?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
MikeVV said:
INCORRECT...

There IS a test to destruction, but a 5 (3 to 6, depending on the manufacturer) year...hydrostatic "check" is NOT, I repeat NOT a test to destruction !!

Another mention. ALL, I repeat ALL normal, inexpensive...carbon fiber...air cylinders ARE...aluminum, NOT...carbon fiber. A cylinder is formed, then the carbon fiber is overwrapped over the aluminum. LOOK IT UP...............
There isn't many airgun shooters that could afford an "ALL" carbon fiber cylinder (tank, bottle, whatever you want to call them).

I don't know where you've gotten your testing information, but I KNOW that the Aerospace industry does NOT follow your specs ! Been there !
I've witnessed cylinder (aluminum and REAL...carbon fiber) tests to recert., I've witnessed fiber strap testing for recert and to destruction, I've witnessed stainless steel cable testing for recert and to destruction.
So yeah, I've seen a little testing in my 30+ years in the Aerospace world.

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,

Our reference to CF Bottles is the aluminum liner with the carbon fiber overwrap, I do not believe there are any 100% carbon fiber bottles, even LOX bottles are lined.

Nobody said it was a test to destruction, I said hydro testing on carbon fiber (wrapped) bottles is a destructive test.

I've seen and done hydrostatic testing and yes, aerospace also follows DOT rules for pressure vessels.
 
Upvote 0
I'm happy with being able to see the CF via the clear coat. I don't want to hide the CF, I want to see it. I had an old survival suit that I cut up, the arm made a very nice bottle cover for my 4.5 liter CF bottle. It can grow with the bottle, and gives it a nice layer of protection. A leg section would likely work for a 9 liter, that's up next for me, once the toy fund recovers a little. The toy fund may require replenishment via sale of a PB or two, Too many of them, not enough air guns.
 
Upvote 0
jmohme said:
I would not paint a CF tank, but if you do, use caution that you do not use products that can react with the resins in the carbon fiber composite.
I have seen people ruin motorcycle helmets by painting them.
Click to expand...
You beat me to it. It depends on the resin system the manufacturer is using which is almost impossible for us the consumer to know. As long as a person isn't going to have the tank hydrod I think a hydro dip coating would be advantages. Any of the resin systems used WILL break down over time when exposed to the sun. The hydro dip would protect it. I'm not talking about a few hours here or there but sitting in the sun for months at a time. Also 30+ years in aerospace.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aunsell and jmohme
Upvote 0
I will not paint my CF wrapped tanks.
Reasons:
If I want it to look different I can cover it with a removable wrap or sleeve.
Good paint chemically bonds to the substrate. I don’t want to experiment with compounds that are interacting with the CF resin. Or worse the solvents in the paint could weaken it.
That label is both important to me and a safety requirement. Having a picture proves nothing after it’s been painted over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: waltermitty
Upvote 0
Hello all, bumped into this thread I was interested on the topic. Had the tank painted on an FX Royale in tiger stripe camo. not worried. My son painted it and masked of the writing. As far as a CF tank failure my guess is that they slowly leak vs “ blowing up “. When filling any gun new Or old I wear glasses,keep body parts away from the tank as much as possible. Does anyone here have actual experience with tank failure outside of a controlled test/ testing? Kinda like old shotguns with DAMASCUS barrels supposedly coming unwrapped or blowing up, heard about it but never seen any that were damaged or worn through. I’m very careful not to damage the tank , I won’t rest a rifle on the tank only the stock. Stay safe out there
kent
 
Upvote 0
With regard to quality SCBA bottles. Consider the service the air bottles are engineered for. I've not seen any evidence of unscheduled rapid disassembly of a CF SCBA bottle. I've no worries using expired air bottles in good condition. Cautious always, high pressure air can put the hurt on you, I don't worry about SCBA bottles "exploding" at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Firewalker
Upvote 0
So carbon fiber is usually constructed with epoxy resin which is impervious to most all solvents.
So hydro dipping, and epoxy clear coating or automotive clear coating should be fine. The killer of most all finishes as well as all carbon fiber items is UV from the Sun.
Leave it sitting out in the hot sun brakes down the epoxy and this is where failures come from.

You would have to be really really hard on CF bottles to damage the fibers, like dent them and drop them. For a bench rest gun this will never happen…. Unless you drop your Gun…. Then you have other problems as well!

Aluminum bottles with the a CF outer wrap and sealed with a thick layer of epoxy over the label… sorry but a visual of inspection of the fibers during normal use (not dropping your bottle or denting) is frankly silly. You’re bottle will not suddenly start to come apart and you will notice it in the little fibers 🤦‍♂️.

Now some people like the look of the black CF bottles and I get that.. some brands look great and others… not so much.

Just my 2c

Painting tanks I think has some huge untapped potential.
Why don’t manufactures make painted tanks.
Paintball does it all the time.

They could even make small labels with all the testing data as well.
 
Upvote 0
Well everyone here she is in all her glory with my custom tank.

IMG_5050.jpeg


IMG_5049.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmohme, Bernie7 and Tricky-Dicky
Upvote 0
I'll wager that the main strength of CF tanks come mainly from the alloy and most of the tanks supplied only have a minimal layer of CF over the top which will give extra strength, but I doubt they rely on that, and looking at most tanks the transfers that have been applied will have to have something over them and I would be surprised if it wasn't just a coat of 2K clear or matt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aunsell
Upvote 0
The epoxy resin in the CF tank should be fine for any type of paint you can buy including automotive. What I am not sure about would be the clear coat over the tank. Epoxy paints are not UV resistant thus they typically use a clear urethane or lacquer to protect from UV radiation. They may not do this on airgun tanks thinking they won't be in the sun long. Anyway I would use a polyurethane paint along with a catalyzed clear. Though in reality any rattle can paint would work just not as durable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aunsell
Upvote 0
Ricklin said:
While I have yet to see an CF SCBA bottle cut in half my understanding is the aluminum liner is quite thin and primarily serves as a liner. Look at the wall thickness of an Alu. inline filter to see what it takes for Aluminum only to safely withstand 4500 PSI. And make darn sure it has it's own burst disc.
Click to expand...
Back around 2019 & 2020 I cut a old expired Scotts tank in half and the aluminum liner measured close too 1/4" thick what do you consider quite thin ? The outside fiber wrap was over 1/2" thick closer too 5/8", tank was yellow in color. Unfortunately I'm unable to find the picture.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu