fuel tank questions .

[chimp koose]

OK I know I have asked before but what do you recommend for a fuel tank coating for the inside of the tank ? I will probably run premium only to avoid ethanol blended fuel and I will have a decent compression ratio at 10.3:1  but just in case I want to make sure I dont get a coating that might strip off and plug the system . Also I will probably paint the bottom and sides of the inside of the tank before I weld the top on as I have put in a couple baffles and want to make sure it all gets coated  .  Now ..... do I actually NEED to coat the inside of the tank ? I have made it out of new steel , no rust at all . I will likely coat the outside with POR 15 .

[enjenjo]

You can use POR 15 fuel tank liner  https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Fuel-Tank-Sealer if you do, make sure you treat the inside of the tank with metal etch, it does not stick to mill finish steel real well.

This is my go to http://damonq.com/red-kote.html I have used it for years with no problems.

Whatever you use clean the tank inside with a gallon of acetone and let it set for a while before putting the sealer in.  I have used both with good results.

[rumrumm]

X2 on the Redcote. I used it on the tank I had built on my previous street rod. That car is still going strong with its new owner 19 years after I sold it.

[chimp koose]

Thanks guys . I will check them both out . I know we have por 15  suppliers in town . Ill have to check out the redkote as well . From the dimensions of the tanks 7x7x43" with 2 baffles each , I am thinking I will have to weld the top of the tank on after coating  the rest of the inside first . I am thinking if I leave the paint 1" or so away from where the welds go I will not burn any paint and can then coat the underside of the top .  I will probably paint the outside with POR 15 as the rest of the car is done with it  on the inside and underneath .

[Pete]

If you don't have the FINISHED tank pickled, you will have weld scale inside.
There is no other way to remove it.
Chemical coatings will hold this in place only so long because scale is not bonded to the base metal.
After pickling it is normal practice to electroplate the inside with cadmium, zinc or tin.
This is how OEM tanks are done.

[chimp koose]

Thanks Pete , I will have to acid etch as part of the POR15 treatment , not sure about the redcote but probably the same .  I will not have a reliable way of removing the fuel inlet strainer after welding the top on so no chance of coating the whole tank at once .The bottom and sides will get coated before the top goes on. I will have to coat the under side of the top of the tank after I weld it on so it will be a splash job of etch and then coating with the tank inverted . I can probably send one of those little bore scope cameras in there to make sure I get it all before I use it or test it for leaks .