Paint Fuel Tanks?

[Mattchu60]

Last week I painted the frame of my truck. This week I am going to be painting some smaller parts. I bought 2 new fuel tanks for the truck.

Seems like they have a oil type coating on them now. Thinking about wiping it off, cleaning them up with some degreaser and painting them with epoxy primer and black paint. Am I wasting my time or would this help with preventing rust more than the oil?

I never see tanks being painted, so maybe there is a reason. Input is appreciated!

Also - 2nd question - for the material that goes between the straps and tank - can a person use sound deadening material like fatmat there? Or bad idea? i just have some onhand and thought it may work.

[Nick_R_23]

I like to paint mine, gives them at least a fighting chance against rust.

[100%Chevy]

I've never painted a tank.
Because I've never had one rust from the outside in.They always rust from the inside out.
But,the paint will make it look good!
Oh,and I use roofing felt on the straps.
Mike.

[dieseldawg142]

changed my tanks a few yrs ago, did'nt want 2 blobs of rust hanging off the truck....

[homemade87]

I painted my tanks . I cleaned them and use krylon dull aluminum spray paint . They still look factory with protection . The spray paint actually has aluminum in it and weathers quite well . I painted mine just to keep the surface rust from showing up after my resto . The zink coating is not what it used to be on new tanks .

Also I used roofing felt as well . I would imagine you could use the fatmat with no problem . Its there for anti squeak and should protect the tank as well from the straps .

[IHOutlaw]

Anyone used the poly replacement tanks? Ive got 1 probly 2 tsnks that the plastic rock guard trapped mud in and rusted the tanks and brackets. I saw a new tank in person and it was very thin walled.

[Nessmuk]

Nothing at all wrong with poly. Pad the tank straps.
I used metal cause I had them. Cleaned, Rust converter where needed, Rust-Oleum primed. Rattle can bed lined.
I used window roll flashing, the rubberized sticky stuff at Lowe's Depot, to put on top of the tank where water sits, and as a chip guard. It works OK for strap padding, but adds thickness and makes them hard to get around the tank. Inner tube is better.