Painting the gas tanks

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Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

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Just took off 76 duel tanks and was able to syphon them clean and not bad on inside. Outside just gunk and light surface rust. Looking for advice on primer and paint. Thanks
 
Doppleganger

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I epoxy primered the whole thing then used Rhinoliner on the bottom halves because I got rid of those plastic liners that hold junk. POR-15 + topcoated the top halves. I like it.

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SquareRoot

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Doppleganger said:
I epoxy primered the whole thing then used Rhinoliner on the bottom halves because I got rid of those plastic liners that hold junk. POR-15 + topcoated the top halves. I like it.

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Very nice!
 
Art Vandelay

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Yes very nice. Are those 20gal duels! Does that only come in black? Im thinking of doing a gunmetal color to match the transfercase I’ll be painting too.
 
Doppleganger

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Art Vandelay said:
Yes very nice. Are those 20gal duels! Does that only come in black? Im thinking of doing a gunmetal color to match the transfercase I’ll be painting too.
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Yep - dual 20s. I was going FI so bought brand new ones with the internal baffles for the electric fuel pumps. Pretty sure it comes in gray as well. Nice thing is, you can top coat it with any color you want.
 
Soundmound

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Doppleganger said:
I epoxy primered the whole thing then used Rhinoliner on the bottom halves because I got rid of those plastic liners that hold junk. POR-15 + topcoated the top halves. I like it.

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I should have done this instead of reinstalling the plastic shields. Looks like I'll redo them when I get to lowering the truck...
 
Craig Nedrow

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Doppleganger, did you do the rhinoliner yourself, and if you did, what is the part number.​

 
Grit dog

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Fwiw, I’d keep the bedliner cr@p off of them. Unless you’re playing Fall Guy and spinnin brodies in gravel all day, they will see zero wear n tear effectively.
Maybe the very front bottom corners will see some paint chipping. But if no plastic guards on them, then they made it almost 50 years already and are good. Are you shooting for 100 more years or….
Far more important than “what” you put on them is how well you prep them.
I’d shoot them with some chassis enamel or whatever you have laying around.
 
Doppleganger

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Craig Nedrow said:

Doppleganger, did you do the rhinoliner yourself, and if you did, what is the part number.​

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I think the stuff I used was 2k RaptorLiner - can get it in a quart or spray can. There is a particular primer that has to be used with it (its a beige color - can see it in one of my pics). Price has actually come down since I did mine. ?!

I think THIS was the stuff. Of course its cheaper by the quart. I like how it came out.
 
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Doppleganger said:
I epoxy primered the whole thing then used Rhinoliner on the bottom halves because I got rid of those plastic liners that hold junk. POR-15 + topcoated the top halves. I like it.

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These turned out great!

Art Vandelay said:
Im thinking of doing a gunmetal color to match the transfercase I’ll be painting too.
Click to expand...

I did mine in Argent Silver 2K Urethane, anything 2K should hold up to gasoline and other chemicals. I also agree with @Grit dog, the prep work is key for a quality and lasting finish.
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DoubleDingo

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Ricko1966 said:
Art, I am sorry you're goingbto have to change your user name, everytime I see it I want to post replies like cartwright, cartwright!
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Cantstanzya
 
Art Vandelay

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Ricko1966 said:
Art, I am sorry you're going to have to change your user name, everytime I see it I want to post replies like cartwright, cartwright!
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My girlfriend Elaine said I should focus on the exporting and forget about the importing, so maybe I could.
 
Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

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Where I started and where I’m at. Do I need to bring all the way down to shiny metal before any type of paint/epoxy? And still don't know if I'll POR/KBS or epoxy prime.
 

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Grit dog

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Didn’t like the first round of answers?
Since you’re putting a lot of time, prep and thought into the gas tanks, and still consternating what to paint the gas tanks with, next question is how do you plan on using the truck?
Like salt bomber all winter, or keeping it clean during rust season?
Off road, mud up to your _____ or summer daily and general cruiser?
Again, they lasted almost 50 years. What’s the new goal?
Keep in mind, new tanks are $100/ea, so compare to your time effort and ancillary expenses.
I’d just paint em with some dtm paint and move on. Alotta time spent on fuel tanks when you probably have a whole truck to fix/prep/paint/assemble.
JMO. Don’t get hung up on the little stuff like powder coating your rotors or show quality undercarriage paint jobs.
 
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