The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Poll: Paint the fuel tank or not (52)?

So, my original fuel tank had interior color paint on it. It seems the tank was installed before the interior was painted. As such, the exposed/visible surfaces of the tank were painted (or more precisely had paint on them) and the backside/underside did not have paint. Anyway, I have a shiny new tank and am debating whether or not to paint the tank. At first I was going to paint, now I am thinking no paint. Also the galvanized metal won't hold paint very well, but I assume epoxy primer will solve that problem. A lot of work for something that doesn't really need paint.

What would you do? (I am not going for a 100 point restoration, just close).

I'd leave it be, even epoxy won't stick well to galvanize without some pre-treatment

Bill

David,

What you describe/observe regarding your original paint is correct: "It seems the tank was installed before the interior was painted". This is what I found on/in both my 54/55 Chev and GMC cabs.

Since "I am not going for a 100 point restoration, just close", do what suits your tastes/interests/pocketbook.

We use PPG DP epoxy primer (usually after using PPG cleaner and conditioner with abrasive pad) and then paint the entire tank (old or new) - since almost no one will ever know (at least within the next 30-50 years), it does not matter what is done.

The exterior color on the exterior filler-tube to the cab-body; and, the interior color on the exterior filler tube viewable inside the cab (I found this on my 54/55 GMC COE cab and on my 54 Chevrolet pickup cab). The interior color on the filler-tube on the fuel tank.

I used a tank paint from Eastwood. I don't know how correct it is to a restoration, but the tank looks good and the paint is holding up very well. But, the choice is yours.

Tim:

Your post is confusing, but I think you meant tank to filler tube hose is interior color. Filler tube from rubber hose to cap is body exterior color.

Now I'm on the fence paint or no paint. I will know what is back there...ugh!

Filler tube on my truck show exterior (red) on inside of filler neck
Maybe just a back masking job in January of 1950
...pic...

I didn't paint my tank

DavidF I saw your post on interior paint in the general forum

What are the additional hole in the passenger kick panel for?

Your paint job looks great!

I'm painting my tank. It will be out of the cab when I paint it. I figure it would be a nice flat piece to use to adjust my gun.

Joe

BTW DavidF, yes that paint looks wonderful!

I've found the same thing in both my '50 and '54, i.e., the tank
was apparently installed before they sprayed the interior.
Both a Personally I wouldn't worry about the paint sticking
to the tank, heck, the original paint stuck to the original
tanks for 50, 60 or 70 years and taint flaked off yet.
I've also found on mine and several others that the filler spout
was painted body color: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/1950_cab&page=4
The interior and blue were the factory paint job, confirmed by
the original owners who I got the truck from.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Haha, those are not holes, rather the sun shining through the holes in the firewall onto the kick panel. Thanks for the compliment, I am happy with the results. You might have noticed no paint on interior firewall as that surface get sound deadener. I painted the floor as just a rubber mat will cover the paint.

You said the tank was galvanized. To get paint to stick to galvanized or bare aluminum, you need to use an etching primer. Zinc Chromate (yellow or green) works great but is getting hard to find.

Rustoleum sells a "self etching primer" that I found works very good on both.

a simple inexpensive pre-treatment for galvanized is to wash it down with straight vinegar

Bill

I paint shiny new GV metal all the time - mostly all exposed to the weather. The manageable pieces and panels I pre-wash with vinegar to etch. Paints sticks fine with no mechanical adhesion prep needed. I cannot vouch for automotive paint however I see no reason to think it would be any different.

Regarding the vinegar....For those who worry about rust we have done plenty with water-based paint as well and have had no rust or adhesion issues. Just make sure the coats are thin.

Sorry Bill - didn't see your reply on page 2 about the vinegar before I replied. You are correct.