The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Is it OK to paint a Galvanized Gas Tank , 57 3100

I have decided to pull the 53 year old gas tank in my 57 3100 and replace it with a new one. The new one is galzanized. My old tank was painted with the interior color.

My question is, should I leave the tank just galvanized or should it be painted?

If it is common to paint them then what preparation needs to me made to a galvanized gas tank?

Any sanding/scuffing to the new tank or just Pre-Paint, primer and top coat or what?

Any special prep or paint?

Thanks.

There is nothing to be gained by painting galvanized steel. Over time it will turn gray but the whole purpose of galvanization is to prevent corrosion.

If you insist on painting it for aesthetic reasons, wash it down with vinegar first.

What Woody said. If you just paint it without the prep. he mentions, it will peel/flake rather quicly. Use a good degreaser like purple power and clean it up and let it go in my book is the best route.

Thanks. I was thinking of keeping it galvanized but then was wondering it it would eventually get rusty in spots. I guess I can leave it galvanized and clean it occassionally and if it gets bad looking paint it later.

It is behind the seat so you do not see it that often.

I painted my brand new one gloss black, I couldn't stand the look of galvanized, two years later shes a little dirty but no problems. I sanded it down, washed it twice, primed it, and painted it with single stage gloss black.

You should etch galvanised metal, there are several products your local body shop supplier can show it, if you don't want to etch it I would wipe it down with alcohol to degrease it, then wash it with vinegar (poor man's etching compound)and wet sand it with some 220 grit wetordry, then degrease and vinegar it again, epoxy prime it and paint it.

Yes, you can use white vinegar.