Trojan Boat Forum

Picking up the new alum fuel tanks tomorrow.
Would like to paint the exterior of them.
Any suggestions or ideas to make it easy or a particular product you had a positive or negative experience with?
Thanks
SRD
F36

IMO I wouldn't paint them, paint on alum hides oxidation. Mine where made in 87' and still shine and no white rust....and she's been a saltwater boat the whole time.

just get some cheap auto paint, single stage maybe. Just dont use any sanding tools that may have been used on metal before. Contamination issues will occur down the road. I would add a light coat of primer to it first, even if its just cheap spray can stuff. It will help with adheasion. Gas tank will never see day light, Paint will last forever. Im going to paint mine black to kill the glare from it if im working below.

why dont you ask the people making the tanks what they would recommend, they may tell you to leave them alone, powder coat before fuel ever get in them or use a specific paint...

They may be anodized so you certainly wouldn't want to scratch the surface.

anodized is a coating, they would have to do it in clear and I would think they are not or it would come in choice of colors lust like r/c cars or fittings for enginge apps etc... I agree about asking. Mine is just raw aluminum, no different than new high end car parts coming out. you wont need any marine products here if you so choose to paint. just an honest solution. I have seperate tools for aluminum becuase they cant be in contact with metal tools, application is all the same, materials are all the same. I wouldnt pay for powder coating. Its to thin and to high heat. 350-400 for 30 minutes NOT needed. you can do a gas tank for 25$ if its raw aluminum.

I just replaced my tanks with aluminum tanks two years ago. The manufacturer offered to porcelain coat them which, I understand, is a standard option for aluminum tanks. I did not add the porcelain coating as I do not believe the tanks need to be painted or coated.

Just my 2c.

not up on all of the aluminum alloys, but I am sure it is like stainless, there should be varying grades some easier to form,mill, weld and resist corrosion, some very strong , some not so strong, which is why I would ask the mfg as to what they would reccomend.

Is there any chance painting would promote corrosion, or mask leaks? If so, I wouldn't touch them. The only people who are going to see them are you and/or whoever does service on your boat, and you can be pretty sure the service guy doesn't give a crap what they look like.

captainmaniac wrote:Is there any chance painting would promote corrosion, or mask leaks? If so, I wouldn't touch them. The only people who are going to see them are you and/or whoever does service on your boat, and you can be pretty sure the service guy doesn't give a crap what they look like.

NO none at all. just cosmetic, we all like pritty things, it will acually add life. although aluminium lives for ever

gettaway wrote:why dont you ask the people making the tanks what they would recommend, they may tell you to leave them alone, powder coat before fuel ever get in them or use a specific paint...

They may be anodized so you certainly wouldn't want to scratch the surface.

if your not up on aluminium and metal work, then why would you post about someting you know nothing about?

jefflaw35 wrote:

gettaway wrote:why dont you ask the people making the tanks what they would recommend, they may tell you to leave them alone, powder coat before fuel ever get in them or use a specific paint...

They may be anodized so you certainly wouldn't want to scratch the surface.

if your not up on aluminium and metal work, then why would you post about someting you know nothing about?

Becuse thats great advice ! I also recomended to contact the tank maker .

prowlersfish wrote:

jefflaw35 wrote:

gettaway wrote:why dont you ask the people making the tanks what they would recommend, they may tell you to leave them alone, powder coat before fuel ever get in them or use a specific paint...

They may be anodized so you certainly wouldn't want to scratch the surface.

if your not up on aluminium and metal work, then why would you post about someting you know nothing about?

Becuse thats great advice ! I also recomended to contact the tank maker .

+1 they will tell you. its just a special metal thet really needs no care for, but we all like pritty!

XX

prowlersfish wrote:XX

secret code? what is XX?

Struts and Rudders wrote: Would like to paint the exterior of them.
Any suggestions or ideas to make it easy or a particular product you had a positive or negative experience with?

simple question. anything you would like bud! It will look good and stay that way!