Painting a Metal Tank

[mike londke]

Has anyone ever painted a metal tank on a profile model? If so what did you use. What was the prep?  Anyone tried rattle can Lusterkote? Thx, Mike

[Mike Keville]

Clean the tank well with isopropol alcohol to remove all oil/grease.  Let it dry.  Plug all openings, then spray with Ace-brand metal primer.  Let dry, then top coat with Krylon "Fusion" (fuel-resistant) color.

[mike londke]

Clean the tank well with isopropol alcohol to remove all oil/grease.  Let it dry.  Plug all openings, then spray with Ace-brand metal primer.  Let dry, then top coat with Krylon "Fusion" (fuel-resistant) color.

Thanks, I will give it a try. I may test the Ace primer with a top coat of Lusterkote on a spare tanks just to see the results.

[Tim Wescott]

Rustoleum works well, too.  Clean the bejezus out of it, spray with metal primer, spray with Gloss Protective Enamel.

[Joseph Patterson]

   Mike, you are the first person I've heard mention Krylon "Fusion" being fuel proof. I'm going to check it out. What type paint is it now? They sure have a bunch of neat colors to choose.
           Doug 

[Bill Little]

Getting the tank really clean is very important!  Then using a good metal primer you can use just about any top coat you want to as long as it is fuel proof.  Or you can even shoot the color then apply a coat of "Death Paint".

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Target]

Death paint??
Depth paint, meaning clear?

Regards,
Chris

[Tim Wescott]

Death paint??

It's a nickname for paints with really toxic ingredients, like 2-part urethanes with isocyanate activators.

If the MSDS calls out encasing yourself in rubber and wearing a positive-pressure mask -- it's death paint.

[mike londke]

Clean the tank well with isopropol alcohol to remove all oil/grease.  Let it dry.  Plug all openings, then spray with Ace-brand metal primer.  Let dry, then top coat with Krylon "Fusion" (fuel-resistant) color.

I took an old tank and I did some tests with Ace metal primer and used Top Flite Lusterkote black then clear. It went on well and had no reactions so I went ahead and shot the new tank the same way. It looks good. We'll have to see how it holds up.

[Target]

Hahaha, Death Paint, eh?!
We used to use a bottom paint on aluminum hulled boats called, "Tin Tox", no there was some "Death Paint"! It worked real good, not allowed anymore, it worked too good I guess!

I might have to paint the tank on my Banshee....Not tonight though, tomorrows the maiden!
I hope to get a durability report on the painted tank soon, Mike.
Hope its a happy/good one!

Kind Regards