Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

If a gas tank was cut apart and sand blasted does it need to be coated? let me know your thoughts.

I can't imagine not coating bare steel would be the best solution.

That being said, I don't know what people tend to do.

I would say yes and that it would be foolish to not do so.

Bare iron based sheetmetal would be quick to rust. I don't know what they might have used in the 20s -- maybe just regular zinc galvanizing -- but I believe sometime in the early 30s they started plating the tanks with a much more corrosion resistant Terne coating.

If either coating was sandblasted I would imagine that process would at least damage and maybe destroy whatever might be remaining of the original coating.

If replating is not an option then at the least I would go back with an air drying high quality modern ethanol resistant gas tank sealant or maybe a baked on epoxy.

Just from Googling, this stuff looks pretty decent

por15.com/products/fuel-tank-sealer

I would use phosphoric acid to take any flash rust way.

From there. Whatever.

I use a rust remover/converter too (shaken heavily with chains, rocks or other pieces inside) and prefer the Hirsch tank sealer above all others. The petrol in my 1954 Patrician still smelled like petrol after sitting for nearly four decades with Hirsch sealer in the tank.

Why don't you try a radiator shop that has been in business awhile, especially one that deals with trucks. I used to deal with one in L.A. and now there are two here in Vegas that has done wonders with a few tanks that were rusted out with many holes, and they fixed them. Expect to pay at least a few hundred for repair on a very bad tank.

I used POR 15 to repair a 58 corvette gas tank that had a dozen or more rust through pin holes. Did a couple of coats to be sure everything sealed up and it worked great. Than was about 8 years ago and no signs of leaking yet.

Someone told me they had a tank for my 160 it was sandblasted but never coated. And I thought that it should be coated but I always like to hear others thoughts thanks for the replys.