Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank External Treatment
April 20, 2020
47
The next step in the fuel tank restoration is the external protection from the harsh environment under the floor baord.
POR-15 products have been used as they surely are durable and reliable.
The basic prerequisites for a successful prepration is to have the stripe the surface to bare metal, degrease with Marine Clean (TM), prepare using Metal Ready (TM), prime with POR15 Rust Preventative Paint (TM) and finally Blackcote (TM) durable paint.
The tank must be striped to bare metal. Regular paint remover sold in hardware stores is enough to remove paint; usually one or two applications are enough.
Applying paint remover soon eats away the paint. No more than two or three minutes are required for the paint remover to eat away the paint which can be scrapped using a regular metal scrapper.
Stripping the paint takes quite some time due to the shape of the tank.
Be sure to wear a mask and have good air ventilation as the smell of the paint remover is very annoying especially if working indoors.
Working steadily to remove original paint. Notice the patches on the tank bottom which are the ones done by the radiator shop; most probably they were formed due to soldering which destroys the zinc coat on the metal.
Note that rust has been forming in places not affected during soldering which would eventually appear sometime in the future.
Note that rust has been forming in places not affected during soldering which would eventually appear sometime in the future.
The metal surface has been rubbed with sandpaper as POR15 paints stick better to rough surfaces.
Marine Clean (TM) will be used to clean the surface after paint stripping.
Thoroughly cleaned.
Degreased surface.
Clean and degreased upper part of the tank.
Metal Ready (TM) to prepare the surface for Rust Preventative Paint (TM).
Let the liquid for about 15 mins, then rinse with warm water let it dry.
Stir the paint and then transfer paint to a second container or cup using a plastic spoon.
Never dip the brush directly on the paint can; these paints are complete different to normal ones as POR formula uses moisture to have the paint dry and not thinner evaporation.
Never dip the brush directly on the paint can; these paints are complete different to normal ones as POR formula uses moisture to have the paint dry and not thinner evaporation.
That's why you must transfer paint to another container because the can should be closed within seconds to prevent moisture hardening the paint.
This is the first layer of paint.
This paint stretches as it dries and it gives you the texture of powder-coating.
This paint stretches as it dries and it gives you the texture of powder-coating.
Once dry the paint becomes rock solid, shiny and smooth.
A second layer of paint after a few days.
The tank is now sealed from atmospheric air which causes rust to develop.
The tank is now sealed from atmospheric air which causes rust to develop.
This is BlackCote (TM), the final layer.
Note the small plastic cup in front of the tank. The same principle of transferring paint from the paint can to a cup also applies to BlackCote (TM)
First layer of BlackCote (TM).
A few days later the second layer of BlackCote (TM) is applied.
Be sure to use the paint brush many times on the same section in order for the paint to properly adhere.
A close photo showing the texture that BlackCote (TM) leaves on the tank surface.
The various bit are now affixed to the tank.