Painting the gas tanks

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
63
Location
New England
First Name
Art
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
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

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,847
Reaction score
59,555
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
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.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 
SquareRoot

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,232
Reaction score
8,131
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
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.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...
Very nice!
 
Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
63
Location
New England
First Name
Art
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
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

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,847
Reaction score
59,555
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
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.
Click to expand...
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

Soundmound

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2022
Posts
1,809
Reaction score
5,468
Location
North Central Washington
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
Scottsdale
Engine Size
305
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.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...
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

Craig Nedrow

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
1,111
Reaction score
2,411
Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit

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

 
Grit dog

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,115
Reaction score
12,562
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
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

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,847
Reaction score
59,555
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
Craig Nedrow said:

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

Click to expand...
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.
 
C

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,737
Reaction score
3,920
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
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.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...
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.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 
DoubleDingo

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
11,346
Reaction score
17,436
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
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!
Click to expand...
Cantstanzya
 
Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
63
Location
New England
First Name
Art
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
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!
Click to expand...
My girlfriend Elaine said I should focus on the exporting and forget about the importing, so maybe I could.
 
Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
63
Location
New England
First Name
Art
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
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.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0903.jpeg
    IMG_0903.jpeg
    120.4 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_7447.jpeg
    IMG_7447.jpeg
    155.1 KB · Views: 37
  • IMG_7448.jpeg
    IMG_7448.jpeg
    147.5 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_0902.jpeg
    IMG_0902.jpeg
    104.2 KB · Views: 40
Last edited:
Grit dog

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,115
Reaction score
12,562
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C10_Blackie
Painting rally wheel rim
2 3
Replies
31
Views
4K
bigcountry78
bigcountry78
gerhed
Nasty gas tank
Replies
14
Views
957
Grit dog
Grit dog
OldBlueDually
Need painting advice--Pre-primed plastic Bumper Cover
Replies
5
Views
1K
OldBlueDually
OldBlueDually
RKBMKZ
Pollack Tank Selector Valve
Replies
11
Views
2K
CalSgt
C
G
1982 c10 6.2 to gas harness swap
Replies
0
Views
297
gills motorworks
G

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,440
Posts
958,039
Members
36,811
Latest member
patchy0990
Top