Hi Guys, I'm going to be dropping the gas tank out of my 1972 El Camino over the next few months and I would like to strip off the undercoating and paint the tank the correct natural steel color. My question to you guys is what is the color closest to natural steel. Whatever I use, I would like spray it out of a gun. What have you guys used that looks very close to the original natural steel color. I really don't want to use spray bombs on this. Thanks guys http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

I found it at an auto parts store. It's Duplicolor Medium Charcoal Metallic (it's lighter than a charcoal color). I painted my tank with it and people think it's a new one.
Oops, it is a spray can.
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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575
My '69 SS (http://sites.netscape.net/von69ss/homepage)

[This message has been edited by von (edited 09-06-2001).]

I forgot to ask, should I use a plain color or should I use a color with a slight metallic. Which would look more correct. My car is by no means 100% correct, but I do like certain things to look "right" to add contrast.

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

I think the metallic makes it look more "natural". You can't actually see the metallic flakes in the paint except from 1 ft away or closer.

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575
My '69 SS (http://sites.netscape.net/von69ss/homepage)

[This message has been edited by von (edited 09-07-2001).]

Gas tanks are not "natural steel" in color. They are coated with an alloy of lead and tin much like solder and are whiter in color than steel.

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Fred Aldrich
The Chevelle Engineer
Web Site: www.CoreComm.net/~faldrich (http://www.CoreComm.net/~faldrich)

Cool Fred, seems like you learn something everyday. I got my information from Skip Cain's article on this site. Now for the $100,000 question, what color would be closest to this?

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

Whats wrong with spray bombs?

Eastwood makes a great color "Tank Tone"
that has zinc in it. Plus being a bomb 2 cans will do it and you won't have 2/3's a quart of a weird color sitting on the shelf till doomsday...my .02...



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Jody Sirmans
71 SS454
ACES

I'm concerned with striping associated with spray bombs. Plus I want something that will stand up to the road conditions. I was even possibly thinking of base/clear. I might look into spray bombs, but I was just trying to see what was out there in the way of pints and quarts of say a PPG color.

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

I too would like to paint my tank with something close to the color it was, curious to see what everyone says here. As far as spray bombs go, I personally have never used a spray bomb I have been happy with.

POR has a product that is suppose to look like new steel.Can't think of the name now...Have to run out to the garage and look a t the can..Havn't used it yet tho..
rick

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66 300 Deluxe 350/330hp
71 350 malibu (project car)
72 Elcam 402SS
78 Malibu Classic (daily driver)

I know the secret if your gas tanks does not have heavy rust. Go to Home Depot and buy 2 gallons of muriatic acid, it cost about $4.00 but you will only need a very small amount. Put the acid in a plastic container and brush it on the gas tank, leave it on a few minutes and rinse off with the garden hose. The gas tank will now have the natural finish on it, spray clear coat onto the gas tank to preserve the color.

I forgot to tell you, don't take a good wiff of the acid because you won't like it.

Eastwood sells a paint just for fuel tanks. It's close to the zinc galvanized color. Do a search for it here www.eastwoodcompany.com (http://www.eastwoodcompany.com)

POR15's product that looks like bare steel is called Metal Mask. It looks great on other parts. I'd put a new tank on it if you going to have it off though. You know a 30 year old gas tank will have some rust on the inside, and that's where it'll cause a problem. Whatever you use to paint it, it will still look painted.

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ACES Member#603
Team Chevelle Gold Member #285
67 Malibu Convertible
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