Air Compressor treatmen to prevent rusting

[Old Bob]

After reading the previous post about the air compressor rusting out, I have a question-----After draining the tank on your air compressor of any moisture, is there anything else to do to the tank to prevent rusting??? Like something you can add to the tank??? Thanks in advance
 

[Stick welding]

I've read that for hyd. tanks you can coat the inside with primer. I don't know if it would last indefinitely though. You still want to drain the water.
 

[BCnT]

there are automatic drain valves that drain water for you...thats best solution...it never forgets and always has time...i'm guilty of not draining my tank regular too.
 

[BushogPapa]

Set the drain (Manual Valve) to just leak a VERY small amount and it will drain any moisture..

Ron..
 

[js305]

I know this has been a long time but I was reading old posts and thought this might be of interest. When I moved out where we live now I was in need of an air compressor but didn't want to spend a lot of money. In my pile of "stuff" I had a motor and a two stage compressor (unknown CFM at the time), but nothing else. I needed a tank, pressure switch, and other things to build one. Also in my "stuff" I had an electric water heater that had been freight damaged and never used. The outside was skinned up but the tank inside the outer shell was not damaged. I read the tag and it said it was tested to 400 PSI with a working pressure of 75 PSI. It's glass lined as well. I removed all of the hookups and plugged the holes I didn't need. After buying the pressure switch and assorted tubing and so forth I had a compressor that cost less than $100 if I didn't count my labor. It's in the corner of my well house and has been working for 35 years. I drain it from time to time and the water is always clear with a little milky look to it. The tank is standing upright and I take air out of the top, so I don't get any oil or very much moisture out that way. The pressure is set for 90-130 and never leaks when not in use.

I was leery at first on the pressure part with the tank but time has gone by without incident and, as I said, it's in my well house and not directly in view unless I'm working on the well. If it does rupture it will be inside that little building. All of the connections for air hoses and accessories are outside. I have pipe running across to my shop that is about twenty feet away for air in there without the noise from the compressor.