tank painting...........................................

[larry jaconetta]

 i've painted a lot of things in this mans hobby, but i never had the oportunity to paint a metal fuel tank until now.
i've always had tanks inside--outside--brass--plastic, but now I want to paint it to match the plane. I have to use the same color dope on the tank! My question is, what type of prep do i do, to get the surface to accept dope, and not come off after 10 or 20 flights?

                                                     keep sanding
                                                              larry J

[RC Storick]

I would use some kind of self etching primer (automotive type) then  paint with the dope and top coat with automotive two part urethane.

[Bill Little]

Just a thought, but can a tank be anodized??  That would be cool

If it's an aluminum alloy.   

Bill <><

[Bill Little]

Hi Larry,

I painted a coule tanks for use on profiles.  I used an automotive primer, dope and urethane auto clear over the top, like Sparky said.

Everything is fine so far!  (and one has had quite a bit of use.   

Bill <><

[Greg Hart]

If its a metal tank just roughn it with sand paper and start painting light coats of paint, then finish with a couple heavier coats, then clear. I used Brodak and have had not chip problems, photo has my Cardianl with a painted tank