Repair SS Tank Leak.

[Earl Weiss]

I have a multi compartment SS Tank that looks like walls were welded inside to make compartments for rinse, wax, etc.

Seems some welds are now leaking causing fresh water to dilute wax and wax to get into the rinse.

Any recommendations for a putty / sealer that would seal the welded seems - Work Fast. Not affected by solutions?

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Earl, I had a similar type tank also leak at the welded divider walls. I tried the 'kneadable' putty several times and couldn't get it to work which surprised me. I've had great success with that stuff on many occasions but I think the walls of the stainless tank were just too smooth for it to really stick. Can you try to just stick weld it?

 

[MEP001]

I've repaired several tanks like that by cleaning and drying the area, applying a bead of silicone caulk and pushing it into the seam. It always sealed and held, unfortunately it takes 12 hours to cure.

There's no way you're going to stick-weld thin stainless without blowing a hole through it or creating more problems down the road.

I think the kneadable putty doesn't work for the same reason the weld fails, the tank flexes and it cracks.

 

[cwguy.com]

I used J-B weld I long time ago and I thought my repair worked fine.... but I do not have the equipment anymore.

 

[Waxman]

sometimes i'll call my local welding shop on things like this.

i also like to use clear silicone when i can.

 

[Randy]

I have a multi compartment SS Tank that looks like walls were welded inside to make compartments for rinse, wax, etc.

Seems some welds are now leaking causing fresh water to dilute wax and wax to get into the rinse.

Any recommendations for a putty / sealer that would seal the welded seems - Work Fast. Not affected by solutions?

Any putty, silicone sealant etc. is only going to be a temporary half a$$ fix. Do it right take the tank a too a metal fabricator and have the partitions seal welded with tig welder.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Get a welder out there with a TIG machine and have it fixed in about 5 minutes

 

[2Biz]

You can also weld SS with mig as long as you use SS wire and Tri-Mix gas. Using a spool gun makes it easier to weld compared to using the standard torch/gun. Tig is the best method, but mig is another option that is usually over looked.