Fuel tank for Fad

[benT]

Hi Ben

Been trying to find LabMateal in the small quantities I need. The lowest cost I can find for some is 65 bucks and thats too much. I would rather weld and file. The guy I have made contact with for powder coating sent this to me via email

if its ok with you let me help with this inc sanding and prep before paint , no charge just love a challenge and only except 100% when it comes to quality
Daz

I think he sounds like a good person to know

G

Definitely sounds like he is up and willing for the challenge. I personally think the best way is to fill with weld and grind/file/sand if you can do so without warping. Is he able to get you some actual samples of the color/finish? I'd make sure to do so to make sure will be happy with the result.

 

[Allen]

Gerry WHY--do you not won't to paint the tank?!!

 

[putz]

I wonder if somebody could fill it with TIG weld doesn't seem to warp metal as much can be more localized.

 

[Allen]

Or specifically, the word ' won't ' may need to be changed to the word ' want '. Just wondering what the problem is on painting the tank verses powder coating instead of using polyurethane. You can, then, use bondo for a much better finish. Unless you're using lacquers, you cannot obtain, in my humble opinion, anyway, as nice of look as painting the tank would be. I love powder coating, but I can beat it with a spray gun any day. Just me.

 

[Gerry]

Putz.
I have already built up a few areas (Filler neck fillet) with MIG and it held without distortion. Did use a wet rag to cool each run of weld and it took 8 welds to do.

Alan.
Heres the story so far.

My original idea was to have the tank brass plated but the cost was excessive. On advise from the guys on the forum (whom I respect) it was suggested that powder coating would be a good way to go, so....
I looked in to it and found they did a number of brass finishes, which appealed to me. Further investigation on heat, duability etc persuaded me this was a preferable route to take. With that in mind I set about the welded tank with various abrasives to see what I had. So far its looking good except for a couple of places that are low.

So here we are. I have a tank which is 90% there for powder coating and the guy I have been in contact with at the coaters could nt be more helpful. I am taking what I have to him next week for a look see.
IF and thats a big IF it wont cut it then I will be back to painting in a 'gold' candy.

Even so I do NOT like bondo. I always try to get any and all my steel work flat, so all I have to do is primer and finish. Its a personal thing to achieve a bare metal finish that does NOT need filler. If Its does then leading is the way I will go.

So you can see why I am spending so much time on prep.

Hope that answers your questions

Gerry

 

[Allen]

Putz.
I have already built up a few areas (Filler neck fillet) with MIG and it held without distortion. Did use a wet rag to cool each run of weld and it took 8 welds to do.

Alan.
Heres the story so far.

My original idea was to have the tank brass plated but the cost was excessive. On advise from the guys on the forum (whom I respect) it was suggested that powder coating would be a good way to go, so....
I looked in to it and found they did a number of brass finishes, which appealed to me. Further investigation on heat, duability etc persuaded me this was a preferable route to take. With that in mind I set about the welded tank with various abrasives to see what I had. So far its looking good except for a couple of places that are low.

So here we are. I have a tank which is 90% there for powder coating and the guy I have been in contact with at the coaters could nt be more helpful. I am taking what I have to him next week for a look see.
IF and thats a big IF it wont cut it then I will be back to painting in a 'gold' candy.

Even so I do NOT like bondo. I always try to get any and all my steel work flat, so all I have to do is primer and finish. Its a personal thing to achieve a bare metal finish that does NOT need filler. If Its does then leading is the way I will go.

So you can see why I am spending so much time on prep.

Hope that answers your questions

Gerry

YEP me to with the leading--thanks for the answer!!

 

[Youngster]

You can do'er Gerry. I have faith you will get it flat and be off to the power soon.

Ron

 

[2old2fast]

How about using a modified "bullseye pick" urge those low spots up ?

dave

 

[Corley]

Gerry,

If you took the tank to a motorcycle shop, you could get it all painted up nice with naked ladys or something. They do some really cool stuff with an air brush... Just a thought...

Corley

 

[Allen]

I know this is going to be a dummy tank with another hidden below.

I looked back and found this thread, guys. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked so many questions. I think the gas is just going into this tank and running into the other one. Although, this doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There's a float in the star tank, so I'm totally confused. Ummmm..... anyway, from Putz's thread, looks like from one tank to another. Just me.

 

[Allen]

How about using a modified "bullseye pick" urge those low spots up ?

dave

In the automotive business, they use what is called a weld gun. You can use it to pull low areas and also use it to do shrinks. It's been out for decades. No need to fill low areas with welding. Ruggs is a body man, he would know what I'm talking about.

 

[Ted Brown]

Gerry, If it were mine, I would paint it, they have new paint that gas does not bother and you can make it look sooooo much richer looking... just me here.

 

[Youngster]

I was going to suggest shrinking with a torch too. It's not that hard to do. If you don't feel comfortable with it I'm sure you can find someone who is. Too bad you're not around the corner, I'd do it for a case of Pepsi!

Ron

 

[putz]

I was going to suggest shrinking with a torch too. It's not that hard to do. If you don't feel comfortable with it I'm sure you can find someone who is. Too bad you're not around the corner, I'd do it for a case of Pepsi!

Ron

Thanks for the Pepsi ad I work for a distributor.

 

[Youngster]

I think I should have bought stock years ago. At least that way I'd get some of my money back.

Ron

 

[Gerry]

I have not attacked the tank with a torch to try and get the lows out because I am wondering if that method will work on 2mm thick steel with so many angles around.
The sheet used on body work is so much thinner and normally moves very quickly, bet that I would have to heat the tank a lot more.
What say you guys?
Gerry

 

[RPM]

I think heating that spot with a torch then cooling it real quick would pull that little dip out. You are going to recheck that tank for leaks before painting or plating?

 

[Gerry]

I did a quick leak check this morning. Its got a couple of pin holes but the fuel outlet pipe has a real good leak. Guess its down to the fact that I MIG ed it. I will get the guys who welded the rest to go over the outlet weld with his TIG.
Tank almost there. Tomorrow I am going to the powder coaters to let him have a look and see what he says.
From there if its OK I will do the final finishing, Get the leaks rewelded. leak check and then back to him for the paint. Then its on to the perch.

Gerry

 

[Gerry]

Finally the tank is ready for powder coating, after more hours of sanding and filing and DA'ing. Next shot should be of the finished item.... providing the leak test tomorrow is OK

Gerry

 

[2old2fast]

Sooooo.. how'd you get your low spots out? inquiring minds would like to know.... dave