Fuel Tank Service

The process of coating and lining a fuel tank is the epitome of "slow and steady". Rarely if ever is it a quick process, especially if you want it done right, which we do! The process starts with the removal of any heavy rust on the tank that may be concealing any hidden pinholes in the metal shell. We must then rinse the tanks until no fumes of the fuel are present. Not rinsing the tanks properly could present a danger to mechanics further into the repair process. The tanks must then be acid-ed out to remove any present rust or varnish, and to etch the bare metal lying underneath, allowing for proper adhesion of the liner. We now must rinse the tank once again to remove the acid from the tank and immediately get it set to dry! Not doing this will cause the now bare metal to rust back up. Once dry, the fuel tank may be sandblasted.

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Now that the tank is prepped, repairs may begin! We are now able to go in and repair any known holes in the tank, pressure checking after to ensure that no microscopic pinholes persist. Upon completion of these repairs, the tank must undergo a third rinse to remove any sand and flux remaining from the soldering process. Once the tank has dried, lining and coating may begin.

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Not all fuel tanks require aciding out and lining. Some fuel tanks, specifically diesel tanks such as are found in school buses, can be repaired with a thorough rinse, sandblasting, and a coating. Those that do require a liner will receive a red liquid liner that must coat the entirety of the tank interior. The liner that we use does not harden like other fuel tank liners, rather it stays flexible. This allows the liner to flex with the expansion and contraction of the tank and prevents the liner from becoming brittle and cracking. We like to repeat this process several times to ensure a thick liner and proper longevity. This liner can take some time to fully cure, and all fumes are gone before fuel can be added again.

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Tanks can then optionally receive paint or fuel tank coating. The fuel tank coating that we brush on utilizes fibers to create a strong shell on the outside of your tank, helping to protect repairs and further corrosion. It is worth it to note that due to the presence of the fibers within the fuel tank coating and the nature of its application, brush strokes are visible on the surface of the tank. While we try to keep these brush strokes as neat as possible when applying, we understand that this look does not suit every fuel tank application. We also offer the ability to paint fuel tanks (size dependent) with high-solids enamel paint, to give your classic tank that 'brand-new' look.