This feature in Pumper reports noteworthy conversations that take place at the Pumper Discussion Forum, an online forum for industry professionals found at www.pumper.com. Pumper Discussion enables exchange of information and ideas on septic and drainfield installation and maintenance, trucks and equipment, portable sanitation, chemical and additives and much more. Information and advice in “Overheard Online” is offered in good faith by industry professionals. However, readers should consult in depth with appropriate industry sources before applying such advice to a specific business situation.

Question:

I have an aluminum tank with four large support ribs around the outside. In cases like this, is it better to vinyl-wrap or paint? It looks good now but the design of the paint job would bring in a lot of new business.

Answers:

Because aluminum is a polished surface, it needs to be prepared for paint to adhere to it. Etching primers are used for this. Over the years, I’ve done lots of vinyl wraps. The polished aluminum surface is ideal for vinyl graphics wraps to stick to as long as the surface is clean and degreased by wiping with a solvent. Also, if you peel the vinyl off years down the road, the aluminum will still look brand new underneath.

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It won’t have any glue residue stuck to the tank? Will I have to go around the whole thing with Goo Gone to get rid of it, like when you peel letters off a truck? Will it rip real easy when backing into a customer’s driveway and tree limbs hit it?

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I wrap my trucks and have a lot of aluminum to cover, so it’s rather expensive, about $5,000. My guys are not very careful so the trucks take a lot of abuse. My oldest truck, which was done in 2007, is getting close to time to recover. If it was paint, it wouldn’t have made it near this long.

Question:

I know valves aren’t supposed to leak but is it normal for septic truck tank valves to drip slightly when the rig is loaded?

I know to keep dust caps on it to control spillage.

My truck also has a front 3-inch valve on the end of about 3 feet of iron pipe with an elbow before it reaches the tank. If I park it loaded and in freezing temperatures overnight, is it likely the pipe or valve will rupture?

Answers:

The valves tend to collect grit and don’t always shut tight. Flush the valve before you close it and that will help.

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Your pipe will freeze and could break if you leave waste in it. I have heat tape attached to mine permanently for this reason.

Want more information on wrapping your trucks or portable restrooms? Tune in to see how Scott Thone, president and co-owner of Portable Sanitation Inc. (dba Arkansas Portable Toilets) in North Little Rock, Ark., has created an eye-catching, unified look for his five-truck fleet.