Plastic gas jug protector question

[Jim_Rogers]

Recently, I purchased and replaced my red plastic gas jug on my WM sawmill.

The old one, which was the second one I've had, now on my third, has a split in the upper corner sawdust side towards the water jug. This split wasn't a problem with the gas leaking out, but was a problem for the possibility of rain water leaking in, when the mill was not covered with a tarp.

I was wondering if there is any type of protector stuff, like Armorall or something like that, which I can put on this new jug to prevent the UV rays from breaking down the plastic over time?

Does anyone know of something or use something like that, which will work?

Thanks.

Jim Rogers

[NMFP]

Jim:

I haven't had the same problem but a friend of mine did.  What we did for him was to get some dark colored (black) shrink wrap that is used in the packaging departments of anyone that manufactures something and wrap the can.  We wrapped the sides and top very good to keep the light off of the plastic and he has been using it that way for i am guessing the last 6-7 years.  The nice thing is that when the shrink wrap gets bad looking, just take it off and re wrap it again and it looks like brand new.  Also, you can also take the wrap off and the tank is still bright colored.

Another friend of mine also built a small wooden box out of .25" ply wood that is mounted directly over top of the can and is easy to take off when he needs to remove the can.

Hope some of these ideas help.

NMFP 8) 8)

[Jim_Rogers]

yes, some good ideas.....

[Magicman]

I had a local upholstery shop sew me a cover that encloses both the water and fuel tanks.  I take it off for refilling.

[red oaks lumber]

cut open a truck innertube and cover them both with that.

[stumpy]

Way back when I was a pup, I worked in a gas station.  Whenever we had a car come in with a minor leak in the gas tank, we would simply rub a bar of soap on the leak.  Stopped it every time.

[bandmiller2]

Stumpy,even today when you buy an epoxy fuel tank repair kit they give you a little block of majic stopleak so the epoxy will work none outher than your old friend soap, usally ivory.Frank C.

[bandmiller2]

Too bad a metal reoplacement couldn't be found as their considered a better storage tank then plastic,in the heat small amounts of plastic desolve and are carried along with the fuel,I have no proof,also gas stays freasher in metal tanks. Frank C.

[Jim_Rogers]

Thanks for all the tips, so far....I may try one of them...

Still looking for a better solution, though...

[raven737]

         I cant say i know of a treatment for the plastic. But outboard tanks are supposed to have resistance to uv . Come to think of it why couldent a guy convert a metal outboard fuel tank?

[Jim_Rogers]

A friend just brought me some UV resistant plastic film that they use in museum windows to prevent any sun damage inside the museum. He is suggesting that I wrap the jug with the film and that will prevent the UV rays from breaking down the plastic jug......

I don't know if I'll try it or not, I'll have to see how it will work out to try and wrap it up.....

I'll let you know how I make out once I do it....

Jim 

[ljmathias]

Jim, not to make light of your problem (get it?   :D :D ) but why not just buy an extra jug and keep it in the dark till you need it?  My son was famous in our family for spending 2 or 3 times as much effort figuring out how not to do something or how to do it "easier" than if he just did it- point is, if I tried to "fix" everything that isn't quite broke yet, that's all I'd do and miss out on all the fun stuff.  Who is said, whatever you do, just have fun doing it?  You having fun at this?  Anyways, hope it warms up up there in Yankee-ville and you figure out your problem to your satisfaction: just got a nice gentle rain for the gardens that made me stay in for a couple of hours and get caught up on the forum.  Great way to spend an snoozy, rain-filled afternoon- organize the brain and projects list both at the same time.  Oh, yeah, so no one can read the list but me?  What's that say about the old brain?

Lj