C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

When I took my 1960 apart, my gasoline tank appeared to be brush-painted with a black tarry gloss type of paint, but I can't say that the tank hadn't been replaced at some time. I can't imagine brush painting at the manufacturer, but leaving the metal surface exposed to road salt water, etc. doesn't seem logical. Anyone know if the surfaces of original tanks are painted and, if so, how and with what type/gloss of paint?

Thanks,

Bob

[Larry C.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Have seen numerous C-1 gas tanks and none ever painted from factory. Made from galvanized sheet metal far as I know. Not prone to rust on outside unless the surface is scratched or where seams have been soldered/welded together. Insides of original tanks may form rusty areas because of water vapor over the years. My two cents worth but no expert. Larry

[John H.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Bob -

Original tanks were stamped from terne-plated steel, with no protective coating or paint.

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Bob -

Original tanks were stamped from terne-plated steel, with no protective coating or paint.

Agree. My '57 has the original tank in it as verified by previous owners pre Nov. 1964 when I bought it.

Steve

[Dennis A.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Bob...
I bet that your tank may have been resealed, I have pulled C1 tanks coated black on the outside and sealed with a white sealed inside. (Eastwood product) Best take a good look, for Fuel vapors on C1"s are common as they age...

[Chuck L.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

My '62 Tank was never painted.

[David L.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Funny I dropped my mint original 58 gas tank off at a local radiator shop to be boiled out so I could coat the inside with the Eastwood kit. I went yesterday to pick it up and was told it was $250 so I paid (thinking that's a lot), when handed the tank it had a black tar brushed coating covering my mint original tank. Having already paid I said I need to remove this sloppily brushed tar all over it, and was told it is an epoxy ceramic coating that can't be removed but the tank will live forever. I told him to please try and remove it and if not trash it (I was angry with myself). What did you do with your tarred and feathered fuel tank? The shop unfortunately is Closed Saturdays but Monday I will GO GET IT lol!

[David G.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Bob
I learned a long time ago that trying to use an old gas tank by trying to seal or restore in any way was not what I considered
a smart investment. After reusing tanks that appeared to be perfect and later finding a pin hole leaking gas in my garage, I swore
that I would never reuse an old tank. New tanks are very inexpensive compared to losing your car, your garage or your home.
Dave Gray

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Bob
I learned a long time ago that trying to use an old gas tank by trying to seal or restore in any way was not what I considered
a smart investment. After reusing tanks that appeared to be perfect and later finding a pin hole leaking gas in my garage, I swore
that I would never reuse an old tank. New tanks are very inexpensive compared to losing your car, your garage or your home.
Dave Gray

Dave------


ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! A fuel tank is a MAJOR safety-related item. Use a NEW fuel tank. In addition, the reproductions are EXCELLENT. The ONLY way to go!

[Jim D.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Funny I dropped my mint original 58 gas tank off at a local radiator shop to be boiled out so I could coat the inside with the Eastwood kit.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, use any brand of internal gas tank coating. This is what came out of a brand new tank 1 year after coating with Bill Hirsch tank coating.

[David L.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Wow, I am looking at this differently now, THANK YOU ALL it may have been worth the $250 I thought I wasted was actually spent to EDUCATE ME on this LOL.

[Bob B.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

David,

If you replace your tank, I would go with a later style C1 tank that has baffles in it, unless it will strictly be a trailer queen, in which case it won't hurt to get a baffled tank anyway.

Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

David,

If you replace your tank, I would go with a later style C1 tank that has baffles in it, unless it will strictly be a trailer queen, in which case it won't hurt to get a baffled tank anyway.

Bob

Bob------


Yup; baffled is the way to go. In fact, GM replaced the early style tank with the baffled tank for SERVICE of all 53-62 Corvettes.

By the way, GM did not add the baffles because tanks without the baffles worked just as well.

[David G.]

Re: C1 Gas Tank Painting Question

Yes, I always use baffled tanks.
Dave