removing paint on gas meter

If the gas meter is in a location where you regularly risk backing into it, forget repainting it and instead install a couple protective bollards painted in a visible color and planted in a little cement. In at least some areas they are required (same for transformers).

Just paint over the old colour, don't waste your time and risk any damage to the meter by trying to take the old paint off. The gray colour is not primer, it is the standard colour that gas meters are painted as a finish coat.

If you paint, take care to not damage the seals that are applied to the meter, and mask off the gas companies label plate and the dial windows.

Ehh, maybe that's the best thing to do after all. A bag of concrete or two, plastic pipe + cap and not mess with the meter at all. I guess I need to call the gas company and have them locate the pipes before I dig, it would be ironic if I punctured the gas lines trying to dig a hole to install a protective post for the meter.

It ain't primer. It is weather-resistant paint (probably very much like Navy uses onboard ships), and the utility may take a dim view of painting over it. I'd just lightly wirebrush the pipes and paint with rustoleum or similar, but call the gas company and ask about the meter. Unless previous owner sanded the meter, pressure wash would likely clean off the added paint. Gas company may change the meter for you for free. Now as to the parking- if you are using the space as occasional driveway, I'd add some posts to protect it. Nothing solid enough to kill your car, but something you will feel before you shear off the meter.

aem sends...

Maybe use reflective tape, in red, that will help you at night also.

I painted my ac and electric meter to match my house and it looks real nice.

Priceless!

Around here the gas company takes a dim view of anyone painting their equipment. I would suggest limiting your efforts to the good suggestion of using reflective tape.

I highly suggest metal pipe if you are trying to protect something. Plastic pipe would simply snap off and let you continue backing into the gas meter.

Plastic pipe might work, but only if you filled it with concrete first.

Yeah that was my intention. I was thinking plastic because I wasn't sure I'd find 2" or larger metal pipe - unless electrical conduit stuff or vent pipe - either way it'd still be filled with concrete.

Oddly, around here they take a dim view if you *don't* paint their (I suppose "our") equipment. My neighbor and I both received a letter from the gas company several months back asking (telling) us to spruce up the meter and pipes which were slightly rusty. A quick going over with a wire brush and some fresh paint, and no more letters. The neighbor claims that after two letters, the utility will slap a fine on you - don't know if that's true or not, but there you go.

Not sure what part of the world you're in but I agree that the gas company would rather you call them instead of painting or scraping. In fact, they may even replace the meter or pant the meter for no charge. If there is indeed a danger of it being hit they may even put up a barrier for you, or perhaps relocate the meter. But relocating the meter might cost you. I'd start with a call to the gas company first if it was attached to my house.

Sounds squirrely.

If my gas company told me that, i'll tell them to come get the s*it. They need me worse than i need them.

Pretend it's your gay lover and lick off the paint.