gas tank treatments, It is out, should I coat it? Options

[qa1142]

who has done the internal coating of their tank?

Should I do it? With who's kit? (por15....)

Or pay to have it done?? what does it cost?

Thanks gang

[dmenche914]

Unless you have leaks, or metal so pitted that it is too thin to trust, i would just clean the tank, and skip the coating. If you got pinhole leaks, then coat it, or have someone weld it (and by one who knows the special safety percautions for a gas tank!!!) Else get a new (used) one.

What are good used gas tanks going for these days?

I have used Eastwood tank coating on a Ghia (becasue tank was pinholed, and there are no reproduction 1958 tanks around, and used are scarce) I will see how it holds up. Coated it five years ago or more, just put gas in the first time about two months ago.

I do not recall any warnings about MEK back then on Eastwood coatings, but I will avoid any fuel treatments unless I hear otherwise that it is ok.

My big fear of coating is of them breaking down with chemicals in the tank. Who knows what the wacko politicians will force on us in the gas tank next (oxygenates, low octane, MTBE, alchohol, and other "s*#t, hell they might even decide MEK is what should be forced down our necks next (filler necks that is))

Any rate, a cleaned, etched, and nuetralized tank (and the nuetralization step is very important) that is made free of rust should last a long time, as a bare surface is what the factory used. Just keep the tank near full most of the time, that will keep moisture laden air out of the tank, the more air space the more air. Run the tank down to empty most of the time verses running it to only half most of the time means double the air space available, which is double the water let in, which is twice the water to rust your tank, which might mean half the life of the tank, so keeping them topped off is important.

If you are doing a restoration, and will not have the tank re-installed anytime soon, then it is perfectly fine to pour a bit of light oil in the tank, rotating to caot all the inside, this will prevent rust while tank is awaiting install, (and a bare tank can flash rust in days) The small amount of oil will not hurt your fuel system, and if you do not like it, is can be rinsed out with paint thinner prior to install

On the old 356's there was a water / settiment trap under the tank (easy to access) You could switch off the gas valve (even with a full tank) and open the trap, it would hold about a shot glass full of gas, or water, or settiment or what ever was at the bottom of the tank. Guess they didn't trust the gas back them, gawd, what a joke, not trusting the 100 octane leaded gas! Admitably they built them to last, and there where more parts of the world back them that might have questionible gas quality than there are now
If you really want to go crazy with making the tank last, use a gas tank dryer solution once and a while (Basically it is anhydrous (water free) alchohol from a sealed container (once seal is broken water can be absorbed, making the alchohol no longer anhydrous, so it won't be able to pick up water anymore. else you everynow and then could drain the tank by removing the fuel valve (not fun).

Anyway that's my take on coatings, use only if you really need to fill a pinhole leak and if you do not care to weld the tank. If the remaining metal is sound after etching, no need for coating. PS after re-installing your tank, and filling with gas, be sure to park it outside over night to allow checking for small leaks, better outside than in a garage with a source of ignition. Keep the water out by keeping it topped off, and since you have little control on the gas stations tank, be sure to fill up before, not immediatly after the station gets a new load of fuel in (the filling of the underground tanks will stir up water and sediment inside the stations tank, which is then more likely to get pumped into your tank) Since you may from time to time pump water contaiminated gas into your tank, use the gas dryer stuff every now and then.

happy tanking!!!!! And tanks alot for reading!!!!
have a great tanksgiving!!!