Comments on: FURNITURE | Where to Buy Vintage Tanker Desks

By: Will

Will — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:24:52 +0000

I have five of the desks, like the aqua blue one in the third picture. They are all original though and in good or pretty fair shape. If any of you are in Portland, Oregon and interested, let me know.

my email is wmoglia@gmail.com

By: e bohm

e bohm — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:32:25 +0000

I found one on craigslist for free-I just had to pick it up. It was in bad shape but I had no budget to get it professionally refurbished. So I cleaned it with soap and H2O and spray painted it light blue.
It’s awesome. The paint sometimes chips but I think that just adds to it’s charm.
Love it.

By: Gaias Child

Gaias Child — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:38:58 +0000

I found mine at Office Exchange in Eugene, Oregon. They have quite a few that are needing work and some that are perfectly clean. Prices are better there, so far, than most places on line.

By: cchs

cchs — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:21:38 +0000

Find a good autobody shop and tell them you wanted it bead blasted and sealed. It may take a few conversations to get them to understand what you want, but I found a place to do it for a couple of hundred bucks.

You can also try and industrial dry stripping service. They basically do the same thing for around $300–$400.

By: Virginia

Virginia — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:56:07 +0000

Does anyone know how I can just give my newly aquired tanker desk a good cleaing? I don’t want to strip the paint but want to remove scuff marks without scratching the paint. Also, I can remove the metal handles and clean those. What is the best thing to use for cleaning the handles?
Thanks, Virginia

By: Edd Patton

Edd Patton — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:59:01 +0000

I have looked into sandblasting these, but it can reallt pit the surface. Bead blasting (recycled plastic beads) do it well and leave it smooth. The moment they are done, either powdercoat it or clear-lacquer seal. I got mine at a warehouse in berkeley, CA in 1999 for $80. They had ‘em stacked three-high. I bet they are still there. Don’t remember the name, but it was down close to Sur la Table.