Topic: Tank Paint Job

[JonathanHValencia]

Hey guys,

I got a tank I want to paint on a budget. I ordered a tank online and it could use a touch up. It was recently primed and painted. I don’t wanna strip it down to bare metal and prime it if I don’t have to. Any recommendations?

There is a small chip up front, over all it’s good, just kinda dulled it when I used electrolysis and prep n etch. Can I sand it some all over to the primer then paint over it?

[JonathanHValencia]

Some spots I sanded down to bare metal

[evinrude7]

i'm not a paint expert but i would suggest fixing the chip with a bondo type product if it's very shallow.  then sand that spot well to blend it.  maybe some filler primer would be good to get you towards a top coat.  various stages of wet sanding between primer and top coats may be helpful for a nice finish.  i would suggest an automotive type paint. 

[JonathanHValencia]

i'm not a paint expert but i would suggest fixing the chip with a bondo type product if it's very shallow.  then sand that spot well to blend it.  maybe some filler primer would be good to get you towards a top coat.  various stages of wet sanding between primer and top coats may be helpful for a nice finish.  i would suggest an automotive type paint.

It’s very superficial, especially after sanding it
I’m going to prime - sand - prime - sand then paint

[evinrude7]

cool. post some photos when you get done.  make sure to clean after sanding. 

[JonathanHValencia]

cool. post some photos when you get done.  make sure to clean after sanding.

Clean with what? Just water and a rag?

[gto_ron]

I'd wipe it down with wax & grease remover before sealing it with epoxy primer.  Get them at your local paint jobber or online.  The goal is to have a perfectly clean surface.

Post pictures so we can admire the tank when finished.

[Yamahawk]

Yep, dish soap first, let dry, then wax & grease remover. If you can, prime it with the filler/ primer available at any auto parts store, its fairly easy to get a nice smooth finish. Just remember to use a sanding block or sanding sponge(block of stiff foam) with 600 grit wrapped around it, and wet sand it until low spots are apparent... dry, paint with filler/primer, and repeat until no low spots appear. Then wipe with wax and grease remover, tack cloth, and paint.
Charlie

[Xander^]

i guess in the US its easy to get epoxy primer? i was looking for this earlier in my build (IN CANADA) and couldnt find it anywhere and the only ebay post i saw at the time was like 100$ for a can ... even a car body shop said they barely use it but can order it in (the compressor gun version).. any links to a spray can version?

[Yamahawk]

i guess in the US its easy to get epoxy primer? i was looking for this earlier in my build (IN CANADA) and couldnt find it anywhere and the only ebay post i saw at the time was like 100$ for a can ... even a car body shop said they barely use it but can order it in (the compressor gun version).. any links to a spray can version?

Epoxy primer is for sealing the old finish, and may not be necessary. It is also 2k (primer/hardener), not 1k. I myself, would just use filler/primer, but if you have a reaction to the old paint, there is a spray can of primer/sealer that should work. Spray gun 2k epoxy primer is rather expensive, and probably not necessary.
Charlie

[Xander^]

i guess in the US its easy to get epoxy primer? i was looking for this earlier in my build (IN CANADA) and couldnt find it anywhere and the only ebay post i saw at the time was like 100$ for a can ... even a car body shop said they barely use it but can order it in (the compressor gun version).. any links to a spray can version?

Epoxy primer is for sealing the old finish, and may not be necessary. It is also 2k (primer/hardener), not 1k. I myself, would just use filler/primer, but if you have a reaction to the old paint, there is a spray can of primer/sealer that should work. Spray gun 2k epoxy primer is rather expensive, and probably not necessary.
Charlie

self-etching primer? how does that work on metals or chrome?

[Yamahawk]

i guess in the US its easy to get epoxy primer? i was looking for this earlier in my build (IN CANADA) and couldnt find it anywhere and the only ebay post i saw at the time was like 100$ for a can ... even a car body shop said they barely use it but can order it in (the compressor gun version).. any links to a spray can version?

Epoxy primer is for sealing the old finish, and may not be necessary. It is also 2k (primer/hardener), not 1k. I myself, would just use filler/primer, but if you have a reaction to the old paint, there is a spray can of primer/sealer that should work. Spray gun 2k epoxy primer is rather expensive, and probably not necessary.
Charlie

self-etching primer? how does that work on metals or chrome?

Not much works for painting chrome... It is best to leave it or re-chrome it, or strip it down to the base metal, and prime and paint... self-etching primer just gives your paint something to adhere to.
Charlie

[PeWe]

I should strip it to bare metal since you do not know which paint used. Then use good paint that are compatible.

When applying the nice topcoat it can react with the old and shrinkle... I know I have seen expensive paint react with the previous layers of paint in a really bad and expensive way. All were 2K and fresh.
This was long time ago and the paints have only became worse since then due to the green environmental forces removing all good chemicals, right?

[Yamahawk]

I should strip it to bare metal since you do not know which paint used. Then use good paint that are compatible.

When applying the nice topcoat it can react with the old and shrinkle... I know I have seen expensive paint react with the previous layers of paint in a really bad and expensive way. All were 2K and fresh.
This was long time ago and the paints have only became worse since then due to the green environmental forces removing all good chemicals, right?

Hehe Right!
I used a fine wire wheel on my 4" grinder from HF, the one with a slight curve to it, to remove the paint from my tank before painting it, worked well, and was able to use the primer/filler after a few hidden dents were filled and sanded with the gold Bondo. It came out fairly well. The new filler primers work good to spray, sand, and find where the low spots were.
Charlie