How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

[Rocco S.]

I finally got the chance to remove the gas tank from my newly acquired, one owner L-79 '67 coupe to retrieve the tank sticker. The process went fairly well with no major issues except a few broken bolts on the exhaust hangers.

Now for my question. The tank sticker is intact and readable. The paper is very fragile and outside edges of the sticker are loose. The problem is the center portion of the sticker, with the most important information, is glued to the tank. I tried a sharp razor scraper and was able to release some of the glue but as I went further, the paper started to tear.

I am looking for ideas on how to release the glue. Will a heat gun soften the glue? What about spritzing the paper with water? Will that soften the glue? I have already taken photos of the sticker and posted a few.

One problem I have is that the tank needs to be cleaned. There is dark red residue in the bottom of the tank from the 41 year old gas. It's hard to tell if there is any rust, but there may be. If the tank cannot be cleaned I will replace it. I feel cleaning the tank may damage the fragile tank sticker even more. Of course, I would cover it with plastic to protect it. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have reviewed past posts on this subject but I'm undecided what to do. I would really like to remove the sticker for safe keeping.

That brings me to my last question. When I purchased the car from the original owner, included in the paperwork was a document that he received from the dealer. I believe it is some sort of shipping or billing manifest. It contains the VIN #, unlike that tank sticker. It does contain similar info as the tank sticker plus pricing. What is this document called? Has anyone else ever seen a similar document? Does it add value to my car? I also have the P-O-P and warranty book.

[Russ S.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

That is a really nice build sheet!

[Edward C.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

The other document with the VIN is called the Car Shipper which is a copy of the Window Sticker usually left with the dealer. It's a great piece to have.

[Keith B.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

If it was me I would buy a NEW tank and install it and the cut the old tank up around the sheet and frame it. That is a great looking tank sheet with a car with great options

[Jimmy P.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Rocco,
You really have two super nice documents for your car. It's a shame the tank isnt in better shape inside. If it were I would just suggest leaving the sticker right where it is, and just cover it with something to protect it. You've already taken photos of it. I don't think there is anything out there that will let you remove the "sticker" without damaging it. If you spritz it, it will probably just turn the old paper to mush. Cautiously try the blow dryer just to see if the heat helps, but I doubt it will. The paper is like parchment now after all these years. I would wait until your sure you are going to keep, and reuse the tank before trying to remove it. If you replace the tank, then do what Keith suggests. Someone may know of way to remove it safely.
Your other document the "Car Shipper" is also really nice, because it has the car's VIN number which is not on the tank sticker (Corvette Order Copy). This really proves that all the options on the sheet were for your particular car. It was the last piece of documentation necessary in order to ship the car. As mentioned above, it was a sub- copy of the window-sticker but it also included the dealer's wholesale finance provider. "GMAC and the branch #". It also has the dealer order number, a date when the doc. was printed at the bottom of the page. Great Stuff!!!
Good Luck!

[Patrick H.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

If it was me I would buy a NEW tank and install it

Same here.
I would not attempt to remove the sticker. I would virtually guarantee you will be sorry you did.

Buy a replacement tank, cover the sticker with plastic (something like unused plastic from an old overhead projector presentation) and leave it as proof for the next owner.

[Eric E.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

I would agree with the consensus. Replace the tank and enjoy.

The only thing that I would do different is to keep the old tank with sticker in place and not cut it up. If it were rusted through or damaged that might be one thing but I have lived by the motto, when not sure, don't through it out.

The sticker is right where it should be on the part it came with.... doesn't get much better than that.

[William F.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

How do you obtain a Car Shipper document for a particular Corvette?

[Edward C.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

How do you obtain a Car Shipper document for a particular Corvette?

You would have obtained the Car Shipper from the dealer, if you're lucky, when you bought the car new in the 60/70's. On other words, you are pretty much out of luck if you don't already have it. Unless you make a fake one.

[Ara G.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Keith's right, get a different tank. I pulled my tank on my Silver L79 and preserved it. Then, I found an original tank in nice condition and checked for leaks. It was great, I mounted it with a newly rebuilt, original fuel sender (good time to send yours out for a rebuild when the tank is out of the car) and bolted all back in. ARA

[Michael J.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Whatever you do, make sure you fully document the chain of custody of the sticker or the tank with it attached. Too many fakes out there, and after a few owners, things can get dicey.

[Mike E.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Whatever you do, make sure you fully document the chain of custody of the sticker or the tank with it attached. Too many fakes out there, and after a few owners, things can get dicey.

Michael,
Agreed that there are many fakes out there. Help me understand your post in light of the value or lack of value of the NCRS documentation service.
Thanks,
Mike

[Michael J.]

[Mike E.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Michael,
My experience has been positive, too. Thanks for your response. Let me ask more specifically about your "chain of ownership" post. If I have the verified document from NCRS, which was dependent on the Ident no. On and with the original document, how can someone later on make a fake out of it? Chain of custody is a good idea, but why would it be necessary to document that beyond the verification?

[Ara G.]

Re: How To Remove Tank Sticker From Tank

Michael,
My experience has been positive, too. Thanks for your response. Let me ask more specifically about your "chain of ownership" post. If I have the verified document from NCRS, which was dependent on the Ident no. On and with the original document, how can someone later on make a fake out of it? Chain of custody is a good idea, but why would it be necessary to document that beyond the verification?

Mike, if I may. Any document with the requisite information can be validated, HOWEVER it only means it's a real piece of documentation that may or may not be from your actual car. Unless the document had a VIN to cross reference it to the car, then any document can be faked. Once it's established that it's a real piece of paper, then the only way to prove it's supposed to be with your car is to document the ownership. For example, I removed the tank sticker off my silver 67. I took a TON of pictures of the entire process as that tank sticker could match with ANOTHER car with those options but not necessarily my car. Granted, it would have to be same zone, time built etc, but chain of ownership and documentation of who/where/when the sticker was removed helps "validate" the legitimacy of the documents...Didn't mean to jump in on this one, sorry...ARA