Paterson tank with leaks. Fix or return?

[ItsReallyDarren]

I just bought two Paterson 3 reel tanks off the big auction site a few days ago. One was the older 4th generation (1970's) tank and the other is the current tank we find in stores today. Both are 3 reel tanks, each with 3 reels.

While I was developing some film in my old tank I pulled out the Patersons to give them a good wash. The 4th generation tank seems fine, smells like C-41 chemicals and a little discolored. I dont think they will interfere with B&W film processing.

The current tank has a crack which leaks water when pressure is applied. Standing on its own it leaks maybe a drop or two of water, but when I put the cap on and press down it sprays out liquid.

I'm debating whether I should contact the seller and return the tanks or if its feasible to patch up the tank with some glue or tape or both and start using them. I paid $30 total for both tanks which seem like a good deal especially since they came with the reels. Anybody have experience with patching up plastic tanks?

 

[mwooten]

I think I would just patch up the leak. Maybe some JB Weld on the outside.

 

[Keith]

I couldn't see any type of glue working too well .... there's clever people out there in the automotive crash repair world who can actually weld plastic electrically which would be a solution but they'd probably charge you more than the tank's worth.

Depends where it's cracked too ... I managed to crack the base of a Paterson by being a little enthusiastic with my air bubble removal when banging it down on the bench. 😛

 

[40oz]

JB weld is probably overkill, but it'd work. Any two-part epoxy will work to seal the tank.

Too bad about the typical ebay seller behavior. Make sure you mention it in his feedback - the only reason he was selling them on ebay instead of a garage sale is he knew it was too much hassle to return.

 

[Tom A]

ABS glue - used for pipes work well. Try to apply it to the inside of the tank and for safety's sake on the outside too.
I have cracked and fixed many Paterson tanks. Most of the time it works fine - though I had one loose the whole bottom - split open . This was in the "good old days" - you just returned it to your dealer and they gave you a new one - no questions asked- though some eyebrows raised.
If you are banging the tank against the edge of the sink, you might consider putting a piece of rubber there. It still works as tapping point. I save the tape from 100/400 ft reel cans and just stick it down on the edge - by now there is a 1/4 " layer there and though bottoms have been chipped, no leaks for the last while.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I couldn't see any type of glue working too well .... there's clever people out there in the automotive crash repair world who can actually weld plastic electrically which would be a solution but they'd probably charge you more than the tank's worth.

Depends where it's cracked too ... I managed to crack the base of a Paterson by being a little enthusiastic with my air bubble removal when banging it down on the bench. 😛

The crack is a vertical line around the middle of the tank. The leaking area is roughly about an inch, 3cm is more accurate to its length but there's a hairline crack running about half the length of the tank.

I've picked up some GOOP and plan to patch it soon, both inside and out. Let's hope that fixes it.

 

[Chris101]

Goop or epoxy: no. It will eventually fail. Use ABS glue (thin clear liquid, a chlorinated hydrocarbon) as Tom suggested, or a toluene based plastic cement from the inside. Either of these will chemically weld the plastic.

 

[ElrodCod]

Scuff the outside well with some sandpaper & repair with JB weld reinforced with a piece of nylon window screen. It'll last forever.