Railroadman

I've been cleaning up the gas tank from my '64. The inside is clean as could be, no problems. It had some light rust in some spots on the outside, but some elbow grease and Scotchbrite and it comes right off - no pitting or decay. I'm not there yet but will have it looking pretty decent soon.

Should I spray any sort of clear protection over it, or just let it be? It will certainly get better care in the next 50+ years than it had early in life (or at least as many of those next 50 years that I own it). On the other hand maybe a little extra protection from road spray, puddles, etc would be reasonable since I have the tank off the car and accessible now.

Opinions welcomed!

narlee

Some protection might be nice, it might be more apt to corrode after the scotch bright. Have I missed it.....haven't seen pictures in a while.

Railroadman

Thanks Gary - I was thinking of something like Krylon Clear.

Have not done anything major lately, have a line on a possible chassis purchase but that's not available yet. Doing lots of small stuff. Maybe I should update the thread I had going for a while. There are so many C-2's being brought back from the dead it's hard to keep up with them all!

Hope all is well with you out there. I'll send an email one of these years when I get "spare time"

ricks327

Many clear coat rattle can products will alter the look. Also, it depends on the gloss you use. If the tank is off the car or the top is available, try to spray some test runs on the top of the tank since most of it is not visible. Love your project. What did you decide on the frame?

Nowhere Man

3JsVette

I used Rustoleum satin clear on the gas tank in my '55 Nomad. I did it in 1999 and it still looks like "new". Obviously it's not a daily driver but it does rarely get caught in the rain.

Railroadman

I'm not going the NCRS route so it does not have to look perfectly original - but I would like to stay fairly close to it. 3js suggestion sounds worth looking into. I have a line on a newer chassis from a future resto-mod which would allow me to have disc brakes. But I have not made the deal yet and have not inspected it yet. SO my options are still open.

Keith, I hear you, new tanks are not a big-dollar item. But I really think this one is sound and will work fine for years to come, with reasonable care.

jsans

This is what I sprayed on my brand new tank. I sprayed two coats on it and couldn't even visually tell the difference.

https://www.corvettecentral.com/c2-6...2f%3fcount%3d9

Railroadman

Interesting - had not heard of that stuff before.

morly1963

I'd go ahead and buy a new tank. Just sayin'

ricks327

Not to diss your effort but given how little our cars are exposed to the elements a new galvanized tank should last 50 years once again.

pop23235

Nowhere Man

Roger Walling

I installed a new tank on my 56 Impala and thought a nice clear coat would keep it looking new forever. Wrong!
The clear peeled of in large plastic patches.
The galvanizing was too smooth to grip the clear.

Railroadman

Tank is ALREADY out, ALREADY cleaned up. Just have a few spots to brighten up. It's not compromised, not swiss cheese, and I'm not at all worried about its integrity. If it fails down the road, bring back this post and throw it in my face!

Hermn59

DansYellow66

I would use a spray can cold zinc galvanizing. I thought Eastwood carried it - maybe that's what their Tank Tone is now.

cv67

x2
btdt on both inside/outside the tank, spent the money twice...then still bought a new tank. Not worth saving, toss it out.