Gas tank cleanup

[deshetlr]

Due to another project I have the tank out of my '86 Carrera and would like to clean it up. As you can see it has some overspray on it I can probably remove. However there are a couple of spots where the coating has been damaged. Through a search I was able to see that some have completely removed the coating and then recoated with Wurth stoneguard. 90% of my coating is great I just want to repair it and get the overall color correct. Can I use Wurth Stoneguard to patch and then overspray for blending? Any other thoughts? I appreciate the help.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by deshetlr

Can I use Wurth Stoneguard to patch and then overspray for blending?

That certainly seems reasonable to me. But...since the tank is out already, it would be easy to completely strip (use Aircraft stripper) and refinish it with the Wurth and some grey paint. That way you wouldn't have to deal with the overspray, and the whole thing would look brand new.

[deshetlr]

Certainly an option. I have some top Porsche guys letting my work in their shop so I will pick their brain as well. However it goes I will take some pictures for the board.

[aminter0]

Stripping is going to be A LOT of work!!

But it looks great when its all said and done...

[deshetlr]

Did you re-coat it or did you leave smooth.

[aminter0]

We actually had it powder coated. We weighed our options and ended up going with the powder coat because although while it will never have a chance to rust in my possession, there is still the possibility. We are going to be having the tank in the SC done as well.

[deshetlr]

Looks great! If I was going light weight I bet it is worth a pound or two as well. However I am going for concours so I need to end up with OEM appearance coating.

[aminter0]

You know something, I never thought about the weight aspect of it. We are not so much into building a concours, but I would definitly go Wurth if that is your directions. Good luck with your findings! And please post pic's when everything is said and done

Andrew

[Classic]

If it's just patches that you want to cover, get a tube of Wurth spray-able seam sealer, place it on your finger and dab (practice getting it right first) and when dry touch up gun with a matching Grey.

If you want to spray SKS it will take one bottle, plus the gun and the compressor if you don't have one.

[deshetlr]

Well I cleaned 22 years of grunge off the bottom of the tank as well as the tank seal. As you can see I found some surface rust under the seal and it looks like the PO bottomed her out a time or two. I am pretty certain there is no structural damage to the tank as I was driving it up until this fall with no problems. I am going to try and feather down the edges, paint the rust with POR 15 and then use Wurth Stoneguard to build up the bare spots. I'll then blend in the whole thing with a Stoneguard spraying of the total tank.

[al lkosmal]

Scott,
I'm going through the same process with my 71 tank. It is in roughly the same condition as yours. Still is in great shape, but a couple of areas where the coating is scraped off, etc. , surface rust under the seal. I am grinding all the surface rust off, then painting with POR-15 on the exposed surfaces and topping it off with Grey Wurth Stoneguard over all surfaces.

[frankc]

I'm in the same boat - I have the tank already out of the car and have a few spots that need to be touched up, but overall the stoneguard is in relatively good shape other than some discoloring. I was hoping to patch the areas as necessary (wasn't sure how to do this), and then respray the entire tank with gray stoneguard, simply going over the existing finish.

Did you guys just use a degreaser to prep the surface before spraying over the old stoneguard?

Frank

[al lkosmal]

Frank,
When I did the undercoating on my 71E, I started with a bio-degreaser (simple green like) using a heavy scrub brush to clean, followed up with carb cleaner. Then applied the Stoneguard. Worked very well. I plan to do the same to my tank.

regards,
al

PS: you can see how the undercoating turned out by clicking on the following link.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=434233

[deshetlr]

I had an interesting day. The top of the tank went great. I feathered out the damaged areas with a DA andground down the rusty flange. I then prepped it as Al suggests. Get a stiff brush and scrub well. When I turned it over to work on the bottom I found some loose coating. One thing lead to another and half the coating was off!! After some careful masking I stripped the rest of the bottom with aircraft stripper, ground the rust, and DAed with 80 grit. I will stoneguard next week.

[deshetlr]

The bare metal is where the stoneguard just peeled off. the goo is aircraft stripper. Mean stuff but works great.

[frankc]

deshetlr,

Dumb question: I'm sure it will be obvious when you say it, but what is DA?

[deshetlr]

Sorry, slang for a random orbital sander.

[Carrerax]

I keep hearing about "Aircraft Stripper". Can someone show a picture of the stuff that actually works good? All the stuff I have bought has just been the normal stripper that isnt that effective. Thanks!

[deshetlr]

I got mine from the body shop who let me work in their shop. It said aircraft stripper on the can. I bet you can find it at a local aircraft supply shop or a professional automotive supply shop.

[zztot]

Guys: Have heard many of you mention POr15. I have heard and in one case experienced top coat not bonding well to por15. Consulted Porsche resto specialist and he suggested alternate finish for rust prevention without negative comment on 15 although my question was directed specifically at P15. What has been y'alls ( thats SC talk) experience and/or knowledge .
Thanks
TOT