Well i wasn't going to get a new tank till next winter, but after pulling the old one off and finding out how rough it was (found two holes ) i ordered a new one. Do i install it unfinished ?

I used Eastwood's Afterblast to prepare the tank surface and then use tank silver paint and coat it.

Also, use degreaser (Pre) to remove any grease or oil On surface.

Depends on your goal. Concourse correct? I believe it's supposed to be a natural galvanized steel finish, with no paint or coating.

Eastwood sells a close duplicate of this look, which will help protect it and give it a uniform coating, but it would not technically be "correct".

I've heard of some clear-coating their bare steel gas tanks in satin clear. Allows the natural finish to show thru for nearly perfect/original look, but also protects it from elements.

I'll let judges comment on whether any of above is a good idea or not for car shows. I'm not into car shows at all, so I don't know what they like...

Many others just paint it silver. I spray-bombed mine with Rustoleum Galvanizing Compound from my local hardware store, but I'm not an originality guy. Looks fine for my driver...but I don't detail my undercarriage, so I'm not looking for perfection.

Clear coat looks great! And close to original.

Not too worried about originality,or car shows,I catch a few cruise in's but generally just cruise.Thinking clear coat or paint silver. What about the straps? seem some painted black,but leaning towards same as tank.

Found this info


Q: Gas Tank Strap and Finish
I dropped the tank off to get clear coated. I read they came un-painted. As well as straps. True?

A: According to the "Camaro Restoration Guide, 1967-1969" by Jason Scott, the gas tank should be natural galvanized steel, while the straps ought to be either natural steel finish or gloss black. Given that the Camaro and Firebird share so many common parts, the fuel tanks and straps among those, it would be safe to assume the finish is the same. To cross reference, I checked my GTO restoration guide by Paul Zazarine, but is is silent on the subject of 68-72 fuel tanks.

You can get some spray can galvanized coatings for the tank, or Eastwood's own tank coating. Watch out for some of those galvanized look paints. One type I bought at the hardware store went on very dry and looked terrible. I ended up recoating with something else. For the straps, try base coating with POR15, then top coat with Eastwoods "Fresh Steel" paint, or a gloss black.

It was my experience when reinstalling the fuel tank, that the new rubber strap insulators didn't want to cooperate in staying in place while raising the tank and bolting it in. Try using an adhesive such a the 3M weatherstip cement (Gorilla Snot) to keep them in place.

A: The reason the rubber on the straps doesnt work,is because is not the way the factory did it. The factory used a tar impregnated material just like thick tar paper. It would stay in place when the straps were tightened where as the rubber tends to shift around. Also the rubber may be a source of squeaks whereas the tar paper stops squeaks.

The correct finish is bare steel straps and galvanized tank.However clear coat would be a way to keep lookin fresh. I removed my original 68 tank for a clean up, and it was coated with a paraffin based under coating when new. It wiped clean with mineral spirits and looks like new. I also found some green crayon markings that the factory used for assembly identification

its supposed to be 'natural' galvanized...I clear coated my new tank

For the guys that clear coated your tanks , How is it holding up ?

Perfect after 5 years.

Okay thanks,Thats what i will do then.

I think perfect, after 10 yrs , havent looked lately though

I was just under mine the last week, 4 years and perfect...

Got my new tank today,looks good but has no vent on the filler neck plus my old gas cap won't fit. I figured a new tank would come with a new cap. This must be a camaro tank and now i need a new vented cap.