Painting the Gas Tank

[JimKueneman]

I was keen on painting the gas tank of my 500 orange with black straps to match the car until I opened the box from Tanks Inc. That tank is so shiny!

Are there any negatives/positives to painting the tank? I am torn now. Opinions?

Thanks
Jim

 

[1967coronet]

It is just personal pref, if the tank is bare steel you will at least want to clear coat it with some of the metal save/ restore product.
The orange and black straps wouldn't be bad also.

My tank came from up north { cant remember the vendor } but it had a zinc ? like coating on the exterior and after 7 years still looks great.

 

[mmissile]

For paint to stick to the correct factory-type finish. It would probably require scuffing and etching primer. You could have it powder-coated.

 

[JimKueneman]

For paint to stick to the correct factory-type finish. It would probably require scuffing and etching primer. You could have it powder-coated.

Yea I would DA it with 80 grit then hit it with SPI Epoxy Primer then base/clear.

 

[texas69bee]

If you got a tank from tanksinc., aren't they already powder coated?

 

[JimKueneman]

If you got a tank from tanksinc., aren't they already powder coated?

Looks like shiny steel to me.

 

[texas69bee]

I bought the one for a efi set up, a 69 Coronet and it's galvanized steel and then powder coated. I checked the web site and they do vary in coatings and material. Even if it is powder coated, scuffing and painting won't be a problem. Good luck on your decision.

 

[dieseldazzle]

I shoot satin high temp clear on them.

 

[JimKueneman]

If you got a tank from tanksinc., aren't they already powder coated?

Took it outside today and took it out of the plastic. You are right! It is powder coated! I am going to leave it. I painted the straps black for contrast. Done!

 

[texas69bee]

I did the same, looks awesome!

 

[JimKueneman]

I did the same, looks awesome!

Did you run 2 lines up to the throttle body or did you install a local regulator and return back to the tank under the car?

 

[texas69bee]

Right now I have a efi tank with a efi pump but I have a carb on it at the moment. So I have a regulator that returns the access pressure back to the tank, one line. I did buy 2 lines so when I finally switch over to the efi, I will add the other line.

 

[dieseldazzle]

Did you run 2 lines up to the throttle body or did you install a local regulator and return back to the tank under the car?

I returned back to the car using tanks inc drop in unit

 

[JimKueneman]

Either of you have problems with leaks? The instructions recommend adding sealer to the gasket, did you? Also did you cut a hole in the trunk and put in an access panel? I HATE to cut my car with its original panels but if going with in tank pumps it sure seems like a smart idea.....

 

[dieseldazzle]

Either of you have problems with leaks? The instructions recommend adding sealer to the gasket, did you? Also did you cut a hole in the trunk and put in an access panel? I HATE to cut my car with its original panels but if going with in tank pumps it sure seems like a smart idea.....

I did have leakage problems. Two issues.

First was I opted for inexpensive aluminum npt to an fittings (push loc) i had to pull it all back apart and use steel npt to an fittings, still utilized push loc.

Next issue was when full the sending unit drop in and the sump drop in (hat) leaked from the gasket. The gasket was thick rubber and looked to be well built along with what I thought was overkill in regards to the amount of fasteners on it so I didn't use aviation sealant as recommended. It is also messy and ugly to me.

BIG mistake.

Had to pull it apart and use permatex aviation sealant.

I got it at Napa. And funny enough when i called them at Napa they said they didn't have it and never heard of it.....when I drove down there and looked it was right there with the rest of the rtv and such.

FYI I am hooked on the stuff. It's kinda like edelbrocks gasgasinch, works wonder.

Car now doesn't leak a drop.

 

[dieseldazzle]

Pic

 

[JimKueneman]

I did have leakage problems. Two issues.

First was I opted for inexpensive aluminum npt to an fittings (push loc) i had to pull it all back apart and use steel npt to an fittings, still utilized push loc.

Next issue was when full the sending unit drop in and the sump drop in (hat) leaked from the gasket. The gasket was thick rubber and looked to be well built along with what I thought was overkill in regards to the amount of fasteners on it so I didn't use aviation sealant as recommended. It is also messy and ugly to me.

BIG mistake.

Had to pull it apart and use permatex aviation sealant.

I got it at Napa. And funny enough when i called them at Napa they said they didn't have it and never heard of it.....when I drove down there and looked it was right there with the rest of the rtv and such.

FYI I am hooked on the stuff. It's kinda like edelbrocks gasgasinch, works wonder.

Car now doesn't leak a drop.

Thanks, O'Riley has it in stock. Need to go there tomorrow anyway. Thanks, you saved me some headaches.

 

[texas69bee]

X2 on the gasket sealer, never had any leaks. No access panel either.

 

[JimKueneman]

This is suppose to the the granddaddy of all sealers. It is ruddy expensive and hard to find locally but has been used in the racing industry for decades.

http://hylomar.com

 

[dieseldazzle]

This is suppose to the the granddaddy of all sealers. It is ruddy expensive and hard to find locally but has been used in the racing industry for decades.

http://hylomar.com

Heard of it, never used it personally and I don't like to speak on stuff I haven't laid my own hands on.

Let me know how it works for you if that's what you end up using Jim.

Dan