fuel tank

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:42 am

my fuel tank has minor surface rust here and there, mostly in spots. took a abrasive pad and scuff inside tank. then clean with soap and hot water followed by washing out with acetone. this is what the redicoat instructions says to do. but after seeing how clean the tank is im having second thoughts using any coating. would i be better off and go ahead and coat. if not will the rust keep rusting iside the take with fuel. thxs for any info

DaveM38A1 · Post by **DaveM38A1** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:25 am

Bought a used tank for my M38A1, the old coating inside was peeling off, so I had it cleaned and re-coated. The radiator shop has a lifetime warranty, so I had it done. They also repaired all the small holes in the tank.

The stuff they used is Red kote.
http://damonq.com/TechSheets/Red-Kote.pdf

Time will tell. I have a new tank for my 64 CJ5 I got years ago. Trying to decide if I should coat it inside or not. The paint on the outside was peeling, so i stripped the peeling paint coated it with POR15 and top-coated it with semi-gloss black. Haven't sealed the inside though.

Interested to see the opinions on this.
If it fails it will cause problems, but if it saves the tank that's great.

Thanks, Dave

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:38 am

dave thats what i got red kote, not redicoat. like i said ive only got alittle rust here and there. so im trying to decide if i would benefit from using it or just put a inline fuel filter and see what happens. my main concern would the rusty spots keep rusting or would the fuel keep the rust at bay. thxs

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:14 pm

Just search here and the other jeep and auto web sites for several hundred opinions of coating the inside of any fuel tank.

My opinion is NO. I have been looking inside used tanks both coated and uncoated since 1966. I have never seen a tank coated more than 5 years that did not show evidence of separation of the lining from the tank. The lower you keep the average fuel level in your tank the more of the lining that will start to separate.

What a "Lifetime Warranty" means is 5 or more years from now when you start getting clogged filters with lining material they will gladly recoat the tank for you. That is after you drain, remove, ship it and then you can reinstall it all of your labor is at your own expense.

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:28 pm

wesk your right, been doing alot of reading of opinions on recoating. some swear's by it and some are like you" dont use it".

do you think the rust thats still present inside the tank continue to rust worst? that is what my concern is. thxs

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:44 pm

The thing to do is get the tank hot tanked out then have it replated with zinc of cadmium. How long a tank takes to start rusting depends on weather you keep it full or not. Full tanks very rarely rust.

When you review the many comments be sure to ask just how long ago the person that love's his coated tank had it coated? If you do come across someone who has more then 5 years on his tank's coating then ask if he usually keeps the tank full or not.

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:06 pm

its been hot tank but has been siting for a couple months in my garage. only rust is at the bottom around the seams and just alittle at that. i may pass on the sealer and just use a inline fuel filter and see what happens. thxs