Oil tank resto.

[bobmagyar]

On to the oil system….

It seems as though the oil tank is a delicate part. Has anyone determined the best way to rescue one from years of abuse? Mine has paint, undercoating, and years of accumulated oil soaked dirt all over it. Is this a part I should walnut blast or chemically dip? I am prepared to copper plate it again but then what is the best black finish to apply? It should dissipate heat so powder coating is out. Most paints insulate well too so anyone know what finish Porsche used?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[Scott Clarke]

Bob-
Do not blast! There is no way of insuring that you can remove all remaining media from the inside of the tank. I'd chemically strip it and see what you've got.
-Scott

[RandyWebb]

To clean, I would pressure wash or better - steam clean - while on the car. Then put it in a solvent tank and work on it with a brush/spatula/whatever. Finish with detergent and/or brake cleaner. Or just get the worst off and let the people you send it to deal with it.

re paint - I doubt that powder coating will reduce the total heat ransfer from the oil system by any significant amount. I have a PhD in a heat transfer area, so my doubts carry some wt. You can send it out for a special thermal dispersant coating - there is a place near Portland, OR. and some others on the web. That's what I did but only because it cost no more than powder coating.

The factory used a copper plate or dip and then a layer of black paint.

[bobmagyar]

Thanks for the replies.

Would a radiator shop be a good place to have an oil tank cleaned?

I think I may have an extraordinarily dirty tank. Engine cleaner doesn't seem to touch it.

As for the paint I am leaning towards a thin coat of high heat manifold paint.

Regards

[Francois Duval]

And Please do not forget to replace that damn Oil tank level sender........!

[pwd72s]

FWIW, Jeff Gamroth of ROTHSPORT told me he sends used oil collers to a firm that cleans them using ultrasonics. He said this sytem even removes metal bits from blown engines, adding he will not install a used cooler unless this has been done. I have no idea if this technique could be used on something as large as an oil tank. But it may be worth looking into? Oh...he does NOT like radiator shops for cleaning coolers.

[caproader]

Guys,
So what do you do once it is clean? I had the sporto oil tank I took off of a 73 E parts car cleaned at my local stripper and it came back in original steel as clean and smooth as I imagine Cheryl Tiegs backside to be. Now I have to figure out what to do next.
I talked with the guys at the company that sells the red Kote product for gas tanks and they told me that their product starts to coke up (and then flake off) at 200F. so I ruled out coating it with gas tank sealer. Next I considered shooting acid etching primer into every hole I could find and then black color coat but was concerned that I might miss some spots. Is copper coating an option? My friendly Yellow Pages here in Cincinnati does not have a "Copper Plating" section. It sure looks nice all cleaned up.
Thanks.
The Capitalist Roader

[bobmagyar]

Almost any chrome shop can do the copper as it is a base plate for the chrome. I was given a quote of $75.

If you try it let us know so the process will be documented for future reference.

Bob

[caproader]

Bob,

Thanks for the great idea. There is a guy here in Cincinnati that does good chrome plating so I will take the tank up to him to see what he says. It may be a day or two before I have time to get to North Cincinnati but I will keep you informed.
John

[Carrerax]

Bob,

Thanks for the great idea. There is a guy here in Cincinnati that does good chrome plating so I will take the tank up to him to see what he says. It may be a day or two before I have time to get to North Cincinnati but I will keep you informed.
John

John, Ok it has been a few days since 2004 what did you end up doing with the tank? Thnaks, Mark