Re-Painting OEM Gas Tanks - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Re-Painting OEM Gas Tanks

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Re-Painting OEM Gas Tanks

Towboatin posted 04-11-2003 10:56 PM ET (US)
I have taken the 2 OEM tanks from my 1969 whaler and stripped them down to bare metal, with the intention of repainting them. They appear to just be galvanized steel tanks.
I have a handy dandy little home HVLP sprayer but no knowledge on what type of paint to use that will be gas and weather resistant. I am assuming that something automotive would work but I don't know where to begin as there are so many choices. Also what sort of primer should I look to use?
whalerron posted 04-11-2003 11:50 PM ET (US)
I have used Rustoleum red for repainting my tanks. It holds up well to gas and oil spills and it sure seems to last a long time in the harsh marine environment. If you have taken the tanks down to bare metal, you may want to use Rustoleum's Bare Metal Primer before painting them red. Also take a look at Rustoleums Sunrise Red. I think this color may be closer to the OEM color than the Red.
Fishcop posted 04-12-2003 12:49 AM ET (US)
Towboatin,
I agree on the Rustoleum and using the primer first.
How about the interior of the tanks?
After 30 years, the inside probably looks like the outside.
The red will look brighter with a white primer applied first.
Good luck.
Andy.
Towboatin posted 04-12-2003 01:17 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the advice. I got lucky in that though the tanks are 30+ years old they are in great condition. Just a little surface rust on the bottom and nothing on the inside.
Steve Burtchaell posted 04-18-2003 10:24 PM ET (US)
I'm surprised to hear that Rustoleum paint can withstand gasoline. Does it discolor if the gas spills or overflows? Does the piant soften if the gas is left on it too long?
Is it important to wipe the gas off right away after it gets on the finished paint?
I've got my doubts about the durability of Rustoleum to gasoline.
Steve
andygere posted 04-19-2003 12:39 AM ET (US)
Rustoelum works OK for a while, then the gas starts to get to it. The primer holds up better, but it is starting to peel as well. There is an old thread regarding fuel resistant paints used to redo these steel tanks. It's worth doing the search for it.
andygere posted 04-19-2003 12:40 AM ET (US)
umm...that's Rustoleum
Towboatin posted 01-25-2006 05:49 PM ET (US)
I know that this is an old thread but for those interested...I did attempt to paint my gas tanks out with a paint like rustoleum from the local hardware store. Big mistake. What a mess spraying it out. Then the gas just lifted the paint and primer back off. Waste of time and energy. Then I went and had them powder coated. NOw they are bullet proof. After 2 years plus there are no knicks or scratches, it is such a hard surface. Also any spilt gas has no effect. I think that it was about $50 a tank, but I had already preped them, so expect some more to have them blasted if that is necissary.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Re-Painting OEM Gas Tanks
Towboatin	posted 04-11-2003 10:56 PM ET (US) I have taken the 2 OEM tanks from my 1969 whaler and stripped them down to bare metal, with the intention of repainting them. They appear to just be galvanized steel tanks. I have a handy dandy little home HVLP sprayer but no knowledge on what type of paint to use that will be gas and weather resistant. I am assuming that something automotive would work but I don't know where to begin as there are so many choices. Also what sort of primer should I look to use?
whalerron	posted 04-11-2003 11:50 PM ET (US) I have used Rustoleum red for repainting my tanks. It holds up well to gas and oil spills and it sure seems to last a long time in the harsh marine environment. If you have taken the tanks down to bare metal, you may want to use Rustoleum's Bare Metal Primer before painting them red. Also take a look at Rustoleums Sunrise Red. I think this color may be closer to the OEM color than the Red.
Fishcop	posted 04-12-2003 12:49 AM ET (US) Towboatin, I agree on the Rustoleum and using the primer first. How about the interior of the tanks? After 30 years, the inside probably looks like the outside. The red will look brighter with a white primer applied first. Good luck. Andy.
Towboatin	posted 04-12-2003 01:17 PM ET (US) Thanks for the advice. I got lucky in that though the tanks are 30+ years old they are in great condition. Just a little surface rust on the bottom and nothing on the inside.
Steve Burtchaell	posted 04-18-2003 10:24 PM ET (US) I'm surprised to hear that Rustoleum paint can withstand gasoline. Does it discolor if the gas spills or overflows? Does the piant soften if the gas is left on it too long? Is it important to wipe the gas off right away after it gets on the finished paint? I've got my doubts about the durability of Rustoleum to gasoline. Steve
andygere	posted 04-19-2003 12:39 AM ET (US) Rustoelum works OK for a while, then the gas starts to get to it. The primer holds up better, but it is starting to peel as well. There is an old thread regarding fuel resistant paints used to redo these steel tanks. It's worth doing the search for it.
andygere	posted 04-19-2003 12:40 AM ET (US) umm...that's Rustoleum
Towboatin	posted 01-25-2006 05:49 PM ET (US) I know that this is an old thread but for those interested...I did attempt to paint my gas tanks out with a paint like rustoleum from the local hardware store. Big mistake. What a mess spraying it out. Then the gas just lifted the paint and primer back off. Waste of time and energy. Then I went and had them powder coated. NOw they are bullet proof. After 2 years plus there are no knicks or scratches, it is such a hard surface. Also any spilt gas has no effect. I think that it was about $50 a tank, but I had already preped them, so expect some more to have them blasted if that is necissary.