Should the gas tank be painted?

[The73vetteman]

I've pulled my old rusted and leaking gas tank and plan on purchasing a new one - will probably go with the kit from Corvette Central - but here's my question: all the tanks I've looked at online appear to be bare metal. Was the tank ever painted? Seems like it should be to avoid corrosion but I'd like to stay close to stock condition.

 

[paz72vette]

Hey 73

I shot mine with clear lacquer. Looks nice when you paint the straps gloss black.

Cheers

Vito

 

[herminator]

I've pulled my old rusted and leaking gas tank and plan on purchasing a new one - will probably go with the kit from Corvette Central - but here's my question: all the tanks I've looked at online appear to be bare metal. Was the tank ever painted? Seems like it should be to avoid corrosion but I'd like to stay close to stock condition.

Painting it will inhibit rust.

 

[The73vetteman]

Painting it will inhibit rust.

I agree, but how did they leave the factory - painted or bare metal?

 

[lars]

The tanks were never painted. They had a zinc coating to inhibit rust, making them look like bare metal. The stock zinc coating is a very good rust inhibitor, and you only run into issues in extremely corrosive environments after the zinc is broken down. If you replace the tank with a new coated tank, the tank will never rust again in your lifetime, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Lars

 

[herminator]

The tanks were never painted. They had a zinc coating to inhibit rust, making them look like bare metal. The stock zinc coating is a very good rust inhibitor, and you only run into issues in extremely corrosive environments after the zinc is broken down. If you replace the tank with a new coated tank, the tank will never rust again in your lifetime, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Lars

I agree, however when the choice was between a new $200 tank ($300 for exact replacement) or $8.00 worth of spray paint, I decided on the latter since you can't see it anyway.

 

[JohnZ]

I agree, however when the choice was between a new $200 tank ($300 for exact replacement) or $8.00 worth of spray paint, I decided on the latter since you can't see it anyway.

That's great, but $8.00 worth of spray paint won't stop that rust from creating pinhole leaks in that old tank. A new terne-plated tank will far out-last you, and won't leak (and won't send rust particles into your fuel system).

 

[herminator]

That's great, but $8.00 worth of spray paint won't stop that rust from creating pinhole leaks in that old tank. A new terne-plated tank will far out-last you, and won't leak (and won't send rust particles into your fuel system).

I was just talking about the outside. I used a coating system on the inside.

 

[o2bnkc]

I agree, however when the choice was between a new $200 tank ($300 for exact replacement) or $8.00 worth of spray paint, I decided on the latter since you can't see it anyway.

So I assume that $20,000.00 fuel tank that was always advertised in the Corvette Driveline mag would not interest you?otfl:L

 

[herminator]

So I assume that $20,000.00 fuel tank that was always advertised in the Corvette Driveline mag would not interest you?otfl:L

Thats a good one and you are correct (or should I say roger that). Given that is about the amount I've got invested in my '73, the choice would be between the tank or the whole car!

fair seas and following waves, thank you for your service