I prefer to restore the tanks.  Why, because you end up with a better tank.  First and foremost that tank being restored must be pressure tested to make sure it’s still intregeallly safe.  Most times they are unless they have undergone severe rusting and severe rusting is usually occurring under the data tag of the tanks that the data tag was welded on at the four corners.  The later tanks that have the data tag welded on with a continuous weld do not have this problem and these are the tanks that are preferable for restoration as the data tag becomes important when needing to have the tank certified if your in a location that requires certification to fill.  Once the old tanks have been pressure tested they get sandblasted then two coats of POR-15 and a top coat of white paintable rocker guard and then a top coat of white enamel.  This gives a life time protection which the new tanks do not have, those new Manchester tanks will soon loose that skinny coat of white paint they come with and begin rusting just as the OEM ones did.  With all new valves installed, I feel a refurbished tank is better than a new one because of the coating.  The pressure relief valve is not important as both the new service valves and regulators have over pressure relief valves built into them.  I have been restoring these tank here for over 10 years now and have never had any problems with any of my restored tanks.  I personally have two restored tanks on my ’87 Westy and have driven it all over Canada, US and Mexico over the last 12 years and have never had an issue having those two tanks filled.  See my webstore listing for the refurbished tanks.  I currently have two in stock.  <http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_112_123&product_id=923 <http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_112_123&product_id=923>>

 
> On Oct 7, 2015, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> Ok. I've been reading a lot in the archives on options for the tank. My
> plan was to remove all the fittings, refinish the tank with POR-15 and
> fresh white paint, replace the regulator, shut off valve, and maybe the
> fill valve. Bleeder valve looks good as does the fill valve but I noticed
> that the rubber gasket in the inside end has a small gap in it. Anyway, I
> see the new tanks offered by GW, BD, Van Cafe all have the additional
> relief valve that the OEM tanks don't have. So let's get down to the brass
> tacks (pun intended). Is the only real issue here the cost of a new tank?
> Can a refurbished LP tank be just a good and complaint and a new one?(or
> at least be grandfathered in) Do you still have issues with stations not
> wanting to fill a NEW tank? I seems to me that the OEM tanks work just
> fine as long as all the components are in good working order....so let's
> hear from you!!! Do I refurbish or replace???

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale <http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm>)
Frank Condelli & Associates <http://www.frankcondelli.com/> - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion <http://www.busfusion.com/> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 04 ~07, 2015