Paint a new gas tank ?

[Nashville Cat]

I just got a Spectra premium gas tank for the 67 Chevelle. It's made of a bright-plated Ni-terne steel that accepts painting.
Were gas tanks painted from the factory ? I thought they were plain ?
I will paint the top for protection, but should I just clear the bottom for originality ?

 

[kmakar]

I'd clear the whole thing satin.

 

[cheveslakr]

I'd leave it just as it is. It's protected by a film of something that's similar to cosmoline which is very effective in preventing corrrosion. I've got a few that have lasted well beyond 20 years and still look brand new, or next to. It ages at the same rate as anything else on the bottom of your restored and well loved undercarriage.
I've had a couple cars that were undercoated at the dealership......by selling that very expensive "road proofing", but that's it. The factory never touched them.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I'd leave it just as it is. It's protected by a film of something that's similar to cosmoline which is very effective in preventing corrrosion. I've got a few that have lasted well beyond 20 years and still look brand new, or next to. It ages at the same rate as anything else on the bottom of your restored and well loved undercarriage.
I've had a couple cars that were undercoated at the dealership......by selling that very expensive "road proofing", but that's it. The factory never touched them.

Sounds good. Since this is cheap, maybe spray with this before installing ? ($21)

Cosmoline Weathershed - Industrial Grade Spray (#24-3170)

Industrial-Grade Cosmoline® in an aerosol can. Heavy-Duty, Long-Lasting Rust Preventative! Labeled "World's Best Rust Preventative" with 2+ Years of Protection. 24-3170

www.cosmolinedirect.com

 

[77cruiser]

They're galvanized aren't they?

 

[Shovelrick]

I painted my new (Per rec of 1st body guy) Black engine ceramic paint, now that I know better I’d of just cleared it or left it alone

 

[Nashville Cat]

They're galvanized aren't they?

I think they stopped galvanizing because of welding fumes.
This tank is Ni terne steel

Found this :
The annealed cold-rolled steel sheet is first processed to apply a thin flash coating of electrodeposited nickel, and then
it's given a hot-dip lead-tin alloy coating. The nickel base coat gives Ni-Terne steel an extra measure of corrosion resistance
compared to U.S. Steel's regular "Terne" steel sheet and also compared to traditional galvanizing, which isn't readily available
anymore. It should also be pointed out that the Ni-Terne coating protects both interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel tank
from surface corrosion.

 

[cheveslakr]

Sounds good to go....the finish doesn't have that chip board metallic look, but it's real close.

 

[JohnC]

That looks nice. I’d probably clear coat just to be safe and keep it looking nice but maybe it’s overkill. I sprayed catalyzed flattened clear on mine that that I cleaned up but it’s still a little ugly due to stains, scratches, gouges etc.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Question about the vent at the top right ; I assume you put a rubber hose over that and where do you run the hose to ?

 

[kmakar]

Vent hose attached to the body.

 

[77cruiser]

Make a loop in it with open end down.

 

[cheveslakr]

It connects to your metal loop vent that's inside the trunk. If you don't have that, it's available aftermarket. Are you referring to your A.I.M.?