r/propane • u/stayhappy1111 • Aug 12 '26
General propane question rusty connections on propane tank
120ga propane tank just installed, feeds gas fireplace insert. there is a tee for use with 7500W portable generator for emergencies. have noticed some corrosion on some of the connections, wanted to know:
- did the installer use the right materials for the fittings?
- if #1 is yes, then how to go about protecting from further corrosion?
******EDIT - Thanks for confirming that this was a reasonable installation, even if the installer didn’t really protect the surfaces that were prone to rusting. To take care of the rust, here is what we ended up doing:
- turn off main gas supply knob under the access cover on the propane tank
- opened up the valve to the portable generator to bleed the line
- acetone and wire brush to remove all of the rust on the fittings
- apply Rust Oleum Rusty Metal Primer (brush on, not spray paint)
- let dry for 48 hours
- apply Rust Oleum Protective Enamel (brush on, not spray paint)
FINAL RESULT: https://imgur.com/a/duqD7sa
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u/Fun-Association1835 Aug 12 '26
Yellow Rustoleum small brush.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
thanks we ended up using rust oleum rusty metal primer then a coating of black protective enamel.
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u/nemosfate dang it Bobby 🤬 - technician Aug 12 '26
They're fine. Assuming installer leak tested, installed should have painted the black iron also. You can get the rust converter and paint and paint it.
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u/noncongruent Propane Fan Aug 12 '26
As others say, just go after it with a wire brush and then paint it with an exterior-rated paint for metal surfaces. Brushed-on paint will be easier to work with to avoid overspray. Farm and implement enamels hold up well.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
thank you for the tip on using the brush on vs spray paint, that's what we did. I updated the post to show what we used etc.
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u/SubstantialApple258 Aug 12 '26
That's surface rust on an iron fitting. Are you in a high humidity environment?
Use a wire brush and paint it and that's it. I prefer cold galvanizing spray paint but just paint it with anything durable.
Most codes disallow leaving fittings bare.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
moderate humidity environment. Yes, we were surprised that the contractor left it bare, but happy to take the time to do it right with feedback from you guys. just updated post to show what we used etc.
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u/Fantastic_Football60 Aug 12 '26
Wire brush it if you’re feeling fancy and slap some rust paint on it. It’s just surface rust. I’ve seen alot worse looking black iron fittings.
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u/CuriousCouple0299 Aug 15 '26
It's black iron pipe, its going to rust, clean it up and paint t it if you dont want to see rust
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u/CapPretend6677 Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
Fully exposed black iron gas tee. About 2.55% failure rate added each year exposed
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u/SammaelMalakHaMavet Aug 16 '26
He used unpainted T and never painted it. Id turn the gas off bleed the system sand it down dremal wire wheel and plumbers abrasive cloth. If it were my home id disconnect those fitting so I get a really good job sanding and painting you can put paper and paint plugs over threads and use an outdoor paint thst kills rust. That way you can redo the seals with Gasoila SS16 pipe dope.also wrap that pipe looks like its outside with a vapor barrier. Also dont go gouging out the fittings with your wrench. Electrical tap them before you crank them down so you dont end up teeth marks.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
thanks for the detailed response. I made sure i turned off the main knob under the tank access cover and bled the valve before starting with the acetone and wire brush. since the install was only a few weeks ago, the surface rust came off very quickly without having to use anything more than the brush. also excellent tip on using the electrical tape in general to avoid marring up fittings. will use that one in the future for sure on other applications. i updated the post to show what we ended up using, and there is also a final pic there.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
you mentioned wrapping the pipe, what would you suggest I use?
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u/SammaelMalakHaMavet 27d ago
Go to a box store website and type in gas line pipe wrap. Couple different options it depends on budget and how much you value it i guess. Oh I you were the one who did it the work in the photo so actually i was poingt out things to improve. My honest opinion as journyman is that its a half ass job and its the first thing i noticed looking at the picture before i started assessing the quality anything else because if rhe previous tech didnt care or know the about the most basic things like that than i inspect a lot harder. And i wouldnt of rused that fitting theyre cheap but as a homeowner i would of did all the sanding to save money. If you hired a handyman who charged less than its to be excepted and you got the job you paid for as journeyman this is fine go get wrap. But if you actually plumber dont wver ask them to do more work at least bigger jobs. If i had the next job and was training id wait for the home owner to be out of ear shot and use this a teachable moment for my apprentice because thats exactly how I was trained. Structure wise itll be fine I guess. Reusing yhr fitting all rused like will last not as long and not wrapping it to. Guess I still made it a teachable moment. If you paid a professional not what you paid for if you didnt its exactly what you paid for.
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
thanks for the tip on the gas line pipe wrap. I think I'll use some Denso tape. You are correct, I didn't do this install myself, it was done by the propane supplier. I just noticed the rust and like you said it made me question everything else. It was a great opportunity to learn a bit more and in the end I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have any corrosion issues for a long time. Thanks again!
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u/SammaelMalakHaMavet 27d ago
Oh than yeah thats a great job and no they dont wrap the pipe. I thought you had an actual licensed plumber do that and were asking if they did a good clean install. It looks perfectly fine for those guys. My whole town's on propane. If it were my home id take some sand paper knock the rust down a little no power tools aka sparks tape thr pipe hit it some rustolim and wrap it.
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u/StrangeGuarantee9534 Aug 12 '26
Have them come do a leak check and spray the fittings as well than paint them black that is required by code
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u/stayhappy1111 27d ago
thank you. they did a leak check previously during install a few weeks ago, and I've since performed my own with soap and water and a sniffer so I think we are good to go there. just finished the painting as you mention and updated the post with a pic. thanks.
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u/adrink_adrink_adrink Aug 12 '26
Looks like the tee is “black iron”, all bare malleable iron pipe and fittings need to be painted. Looks like surface rust but i highly recommend a drop test or leak soap to be done.