gas tank color

[Gary H.]

The tank on my 69 was replaced in the 80s. It was an over the counter purchase at a dealership and I have receipt somewhere. I have the original buried in storage and cannot get to it right now. I was told at the last regional that the tank color was incorrect. Pics attached. What color is the tank supposed to be painted?

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[Dick W.]

Re: gas tank color

Tank was not originally painted. It was steel and was treated/plated with terne, a lead and tin coating. It is a finish impossible to duplicate with paint.

[Gary H.]

Re: gas tank color

Also, I just noticed the modern printing on the fuel hose. Should I clean off the printing while I am at it?

[Dick W.]

Re: gas tank color

Also, I just noticed the modern printing on the fuel hose. Should I clean off the printing while I am at it?

Remove the lettering on the fuel hose

[Gary H.]

Re: gas tank color

Reading a little further down on the comments on my judging sheets I see that the sending unit is not supposed to be painted. Is it also supposed to be plated like the tank? Should I try to clean this finish off or am I wasting my time.

[Larry M.]

Re: gas tank color

Reading a little further down on the comments on my judging sheets I see that the sending unit is not supposed to be painted. Is it also supposed to be plated like the tank? Should I try to clean this finish off or am I wasting my time.

Leave it alone until you address the gas tank finish. Then do both at the same time. FWIW: Quanta makes an exact reproduction of the original tank, with the correct inner and outer coating.

Larry

[Alan S.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Gary,
In looking at your picture it appears that your tank was painted with Eastwood's 'Tank Tone'. It's a nice clean look, but not really too much like the tank's original plated finish.
What I ran into in trying to restore my tank was trying to duplicate the darkened 'heat zone' that occurred on the seam where the tank halves are welded together. It's mentioned in the Judging Guide so people look for it.
I'd be interested in hearing if you make some progress in doing that when you deal with your tank.
Regards,
Alan

[Alan S.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Larry,
I agree that the Quanta tanks are a nice reproduction.
One thing I did find curious is that the manufacturer's logo on their tank for 71 cars with a return line is in a different location than on my original tank.
Have You noticed this in any of the tanks you've looked at?
Regards,
Alan


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[Patrick H.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Larry,
I agree that the Quanta tanks are a nice reproduction.
One thing I did find curious is that the manufacturer's logo on their tank for 71 cars with a return line is in a different location than on my original tank.
Have You noticed this in any of the tanks you've looked at?
Regards,
Alan


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Alan, this is the one known easily (?) detectable variation in the Quanta tanks from an original.

[Gary H.]

Re: gas tank color

Was that eastwood stuff around in the 80s? Tank was installed on the car at the time it was painted in 86/87, so no clue what they used on it. I guess I will see what happens and try to take the paint off. Will just need to remove the spare carrier. Will the tank rust if I remove the paint?

[William C.]

Re: gas tank color

Depends on what was on it prior to the paint, was it a new tank or did they "spruce up" the old one for starters?

[Edward J.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Larry,
I agree that the Quanta tanks are a nice reproduction.
One thing I did find curious is that the manufacturer's logo on their tank for 71 cars with a return line is in a different location than on my original tank.
Have You noticed this in any of the tanks you've looked at?
Regards,
Alan


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Alan,Patrick, I remember something coming up about the logo not being in the correct location here on the TDB, and was fixed by the Qunata people and the stamp was relocated. it was about 5 or 6 years ago I believe.I brought a Qunata tank 3 years ago for my 63 and its stamped as you original tank.

[Alan S.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Gary,
I'm not sure how long Tank Tone has been around, (I save a lot of stuff, but fortunately haven't felt the need to save Eastwood catalogues,; so I can't check), or if that's even Tank Tone. It's just what it looked like to me.
Yes, your tank will rust where the plating is gone or quite thin. So just what's done to restore it is quite critical. I'd think a person could get the tank to look quite good, but without re-plating, or some kind of a clear finish, it would have a rusty surface very soon.
Regards,
Alan

This is Tank Tone. Like I posted above, it's a very nice look, but nothing like the original plating.

[Alan S.]

[Terry M.]

Re: gas tank color

Hi Gary,
In looking at your picture it appears that your tank was painted with Eastwood's 'Tank Tone'. It's a nice clean look, but not really too much like the tank's original plated finish.
What I ran into in trying to restore my tank was trying to duplicate the darkened 'heat zone' that occurred on the seam where the tank halves are welded together. It's mentioned in the Judging Guide so people look for it.
I'd be interested in hearing if you make some progress in doing that when you deal with your tank.


Regards,
Alan

The cable program "How It's Made" on the Science Channel had a segment on how modern fuel tanks are made. Unfortunately I couldn't find it on their web site, however I suspect the process is not a lot different than years ago.

The sheet stock they use is terne coated (as Dick said) while flat and is then formed in a draw die to the shape of the bottom and/or top of the tank. The fittings to hold the filler neck and fuel gauge assembly and any tubing ports are soldered into place, and then the two halves are attached together by a continuous spot welder that makes that heated zone Alan and the judging guide mention.

Your chances of duplicating ALL those features are slim and none; and Slim left town.