Petrol tank restoration and preservation

[Horsley-Anarak]

Had a few hours sunshine today, so was able to get the spray gun out, and give it the final coats.

Conserved the original decal, touched in the missing bits (took about 10 hours).

Sandblasted around decal, two etch primer coats, three coats of black cellulose.

Then acrylic clear satin varnish over decal.

Before

After

I think it was worth the effort, saved for future generations.

H-A

[charlesp]

You've touched that in by hand? I take my hat off to you. Top job!

[Oyster 49]

Top job H-A very patient work! It would have been so much easier to remove the lot repaint and apply a reproduction decal. Preserving and remaking the old one instead is a really great piece of work.

[david doyle]

Beautiful work, thanks for sharing. Is the acrylic clear what makes it fuel resistant?

[Horsley-Anarak]

The Acrylic may not be petrol proof, but I thought it was the safe option over the decal.

The Cellulose is petrol proof.

I will take care when filling, and not get petrol on the decal.

I am looking forward to getting it on the back of the boat.

H-A

[phil]

H-A what a great job! Did you do masking for the straight lines? What size brush do you use for fine work like that?

David you can get Dupicolor engine enamel in clear at NAPA and Can Tire in the spray can. It can be cured by heating as high as 300F, then it will be fuel resist when cured. You can also just let it age and cure that way. I don't think that they it in have black although I have used the one part black epoxy in the spray can from Can Tire on Seagull blocks and tanks and it does appear to be fuel resistant. The Ford engine enamel CDE 1605 is a very good match for the 50s OMC fuel pressure tanks.

[Stelios_Rjk]

Astonishing restoration!! Hope to show us the whole picture later!

[PAULT50]

Very impressive indeed..top job!!

[Horsley-Anarak]

H-A what a great job! Did you do masking for the straight lines? What size brush do you use for fine work like that?

Hi Phil, I use an edding 780 paint marker in gold. Draw each letter then tidy up the edges with a sharp scalpel.

H-A

[phil]

Thanks H-A, I will look for one of those at the art supply store or maybe one of the office supply places.

[Horsley-Anarak]

Had another go at a tank

Before

and after.

Hardest bit was removing previous restoration attempts, and sticky tape.

I will leave the main black finish that is not original as it looks OK.

Will do some more work on the big "S" as the shape is a little off.

H-A

[Stelios_Rjk]

Great job as usual!!
I also have to do the same on a little forty tank but due to luck of free time and experience, I postpone it all the time..

[Collector Inspector]

I am inspired!

B

[Oyster 49]

Stelios, send me the little forty tank, I can do it for you..