New fuel tank - need ideas

[TIGwelder]

What's every ones opinion on priming and painting the a new fuel tank?

The car is not restored. The bottom of the car still has the factory undercoating. I think a shiny new tank is going to look horrible under there.

Clean with solvent, Self-etching primer and a flat black?
Some type of undercoating on bottom to match the rest?

Let's here some ideas!

 

[1962savoy]

I'd leave it natural silver or put a dull clear finish on it if its too bright for ya.
Just my tow pennies worth

 

[5.7 hemi]

Just clean and spray bomb some undercoating.

 

[RGAZ]

IMO,

For those underbody metal parts, I like a grey coating on them. Its not so bright as the galvanized or tin plate, but closer to keeping a metal look.

I would go with something that matches Eastwood "Detail Grey". That would be the most matching without standing out and it will look good for a long time.

Randy

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Whatever you decide for colour, you will need an etch primer first, paint/undercoating doesn't adhere well to zinc'd surfaces and will eventually peel. You can purchase spray bombs of etch primer from your local bodyshop supplier.

 

[TIGwelder]

Ok..decision made..

Was 77 out today so I figured I'd tackle the project

<pause for cursing to subside ;) >

The tank as it was shipped was covered in oil.
-Cleaned the tank thoroughly with solvents
-Roughed it up with a Scotch-Brite pad
-Cleaned the tank thoroughly with solvents again
-Painted it. 3 coats were applied. 1 light coat and 2 medium coats.

I used "VHT Roll bar and Chassis Paint" in satin black. No primer required

"VHT Roll Bar & Chassis Paint is a one step epoxy coating that does not require primer. It gives the appearance of a tough baked-on finish that is chemical, corrosion, rust and salt resistant."

Came out really nice. I'll have to see how it lasts. May also hit the bottom with VHT undercoating once cured and installed in car. They have a type that can go over painted surfaces.

I also had the fill tube and tank strap sand blasted by a friend who does industrial sandblasting. The fill tube was plated so that was removed ( I meant to tell him not to shoot through the tube..hoping it does rust on inside now. ). I also painted those parts with the same coating

Here's a pic during prep and a finished shot. Paint not totally dry in pic.

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Looks pretty darn good for a driveway job!

 

[Ron 73]

If you havent put it back on yet, POR-15 makes a product that you put inside the tank, supposed to never rust, with all the ethanol crap that draws water like a sponge it may be something to think about. hope this helps. Ron

 

[Ron 73]

Here is A quick link for POR-15 Gas tanks if interested.
http://www.por15.com/Fuel-System-Restoration/products/12/

 

[davidl13]

another tank sealer

here is another one.... i have no experience with these products, but i do notice they look awfully similar in packaging, so perhaps they are manufactured by the same people and marketed under different names...

http://www.jegs.com/i/KBS+Coatings/191/53000/10002/-1

 

[TIGwelder]

Thanks for the links guys.

I haven't reinstalled it yet. I had to make a new strap bolt today which was holding me up on the reinstall.

I'm on the fence about adding a coating in the tank. I figure the tank only has to last a while till I'll hopefully mini tub and do some other stuff. Then I'll build a new tank.

For now i'm going to just throw some of the marine version of Sta-bil in the tank when I fuel up.