Paint my new gas tank?

[Dr_Snooz]

There's a new gas tank waiting for me when I get home. When I remove the old tank from my Suburban, I'll take opportunity to clean up and paint the underside of the body, replace the old rubber hoses, and make sure everything is nice before I put it all back together.

One question, should I paint the new tank before installing it? If so, what should I use? Bear in mind, this is California, so rust isn't an issue. Also, certain specialized coatings, like Eastwood's Tank Tone paint, are not available here.

All input is appreciated.

Thank you!

[Shifty]

I know it's a pain in the but, but I'd make sure everything fits first, then paint.  The spray-on bed coatings hold their "look", and toughness for a long time. 

[VileZambonie]

Most of the spray bomb bed coatings will come right off with brake cleaner so unless you are going to use the good stuff, don't bother. Cheapest durable route, clean, scuff, rustoleum.

[Shifty]

If only mine was that easy...two direct nuclear strikes won't remove it....

[ehjorten]

Tanks today are made with a Ni-terne coated steel. The steel has an electrodeposited base layer of nickel applied to it and then it is hot-dipped in a lead-tin alloy coating. This gives it much better corrosion protection than the original tanks. The coating is up to like 10 times more corrosion resistant than the old galvanized tanks. This process is done to the raw steel, so then it is stamped into the proper shape and the two halves are welded together. The point where rust will form first is at the welded joint. The Ni-terne steel protects both the exterior and the interior surface of the tank. I put new tanks on my '77 K20 back in 2013, so it has been 11 years. I have taken it hunting and up to the mountains in the snow. The tanks looks as good today as they did when they were brand new. I live in the PNW, so it isn't in Midwest salt.

[JohnnyPopper]

This works

[Dr_Snooz]

Thanks guys. My Sherman tank (LOL) came with a beautiful coat of lovely gray paint. I can't bring myself to do anything more with it!



I'm surprised because the product photo on Summit's site is definitely unpainted. It seems like a really nice piece. I'll let you know how it performs.