Clear coat for fuel tank?

[Henry S.]

I have my fuel tank getting stripped after the previous owner sprayed it with some cheapo galvanize paint. I'm thinking of having it powdercoated matte clear. Has anyone had any experience with powdercoating a tank or is there something better to put on it to keep it looking natural? There was a post in the archives about a clear coat by POR15. Any experience with it? Thanks

[Patrick H.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Henry,

I assume you mean your 67?

Based on my experience with at least 3 of them, I would have just purchased a new tank. I've found it not worth the time and effort to rehab old tanks when compared to installing a new one. Paints used to "spruce up" an old tank will wear and may be affected by gasoline. Unless yours looks like new after you have it stripped (I assume chemically?) I'd consider it a lesson learned and just call Quanta for a new one.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Henry,

I assume you mean your 67?

Based on my experience with at least 3 of them, I would have just purchased a new tank. I've found it not worth the time and effort to rehab old tanks when compared to installing a new one. Paints used to "spruce up" an old tank will wear and may be affected by gasoline. Unless yours looks like new after you have it stripped (I assume chemically?) I'd consider it a lesson learned and just call Quanta for a new one.

Patrick

Patrick and Henry-----


Yup.

[Henry S.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Henry,

I assume you mean your 67?

Based on my experience with at least 3 of them, I would have just purchased a new tank. I've found it not worth the time and effort to rehab old tanks when compared to installing a new one. Paints used to "spruce up" an old tank will wear and may be affected by gasoline. Unless yours looks like new after you have it stripped (I assume chemically?) I'd consider it a lesson learned and just call Quanta for a new one.

Patrick

Patrick,
Yes, I was talking about the 67. The tank I am working on doesn't seem that bad except for the galvanize paint. And thankfully I don't think the guy that painted it knew what he was doing because it is coming off fairly easy. I think it may actually be a replacement already. It does have the correct label/stamping on the bottom. Are the ones from Quantra painted? Thanks for the suggestion. Henry

[Joe L.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Patrick,
Yes, I was talking about the 67. The tank I am working on doesn't seem that bad except for the galvanize paint. And thankfully I don't think the guy that painted it knew what he was doing because it is coming off fairly easy. I think it may actually be a replacement already. It does have the correct label/stamping on the bottom. Are the ones from Quantra painted? Thanks for the suggestion. Henry

Henry-----


Original tanks, Quanta reproductions, NOS GM tanks, and other replacement tanks are terne-coated steel. NONE were painted. The terne coating cannot be re-applied as far as I am aware.

[Henry S.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Henry-----


Original tanks, Quanta reproductions, NOS GM tanks, and other replacement tanks are terne-coated steel. NONE were painted. The terne coating cannot be re-applied as far as I am aware.

Joe, Thanks for the information. I went to their web site (and may have missed it) but couldn't find how they were coated. I'll call them tomorrow.
Henry

[Chris E.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Is there anything that should be done to a NEW tank to help preserve it long term? (30+ years) I'm not going to ever drive the car in the snow, and it'll probably not see much rain either.

Is there anything I need to spray inside the tank or on the outside?

[Larry M.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Joe, Thanks for the information. I went to their web site (and may have missed it) but couldn't find how they were coated. I'll call them tomorrow.
Henry

Terne coating is a lead and tin alloy coating to preserve steel and prevent rusting. Similar to galvanizing which uses zinc. Google "terne" for more info that you need/want to read. According to internet sources, a Terne2 is now generally used which contains tin and zinc, eliminating the lead hazard.

Larry

[Henry S.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Terne coating is a lead and tin alloy coating to preserve steel and prevent rusting. Similar to galvanizing which uses zinc. Google "terne" for more info that you need/want to read. According to internet sources, a Terne2 is now generally used which contains tin and zinc, eliminating the lead hazard.

Larry

Thanks Larry, I'll check it out.

[Michael W.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Is there anything that should be done to a NEW tank to help preserve it long term? (30+ years)

Yes, leave it alone. Salt and condensation/water is what eats the coating, not time.

Fill the gas tank during periods of storage and leave it and the car alone.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Is there anything that should be done to a NEW tank to help preserve it long term? (30+ years) I'm not going to ever drive the car in the snow, and it'll probably not see much rain either.

Is there anything I need to spray inside the tank or on the outside?

You should be fine.
Keeping it out of humid storage as well as any salt will help.

Patrick

[Chris E.]

Re: Clear coat for fuel tank?

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I didn't think there was anything I needed to do (other than storing the car as best I can), but it's good to hear.