Time and exposure to the sun and elements of nature take their toll on outdoor equipment like an outdoor tank. So when you finally decide to repaint it you want it to last as long as possible before you will have to do work on it again.
When it comes to choosing the best paint for your outdoor fuel tank, you’ll want to consider the material that the tank is made from. Fuel tanks can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and fiberglass.
There are many different types of paint available on the market today, so it’s important to do some research before choosing one, and this article will help you with just that.
If your tank is made from metal, you’ll want to choose a paint that can withstand exposure to the sun and weather conditions.
The best paint for a metal outdoor fuel tank is a polyurethane or an acrylic/urethane paint.
A polyurethane paint has good elongation properties to flex with the substrate while maintaining the material’s color. It can tolerate the wet and dry conditions of being outdoors, is UV and chemical-resistant and extremely resistant to scratching and chipping.
If your tank is made from plastic or fiberglass, you’ll want to choose a paint that can resist fading and chipping in the sun and rain.
The best paint for a plastic outdoor fuel tank is an exterior latex house paint or an elastomeric paint that maintains its flexibility. This allows the tank to expand and contract without chipping or tearing the paint.
Use a good quality exterior latex house paint either in flat or semi-gloss with elastomeric properties. Just make sure the brand you purchase remains somewhat flexible when dry. They are also UV-light resistant.
Recommended Products
What is polyurethane?
Polyurethane is actually a type of plastic that is used in various types of objects because it is sturdy, flexible and durable. It’s the material of choice for a broad range of end-user applications such as:
- paint
- insulation
- car parts
- tires
- foam products
- footwear
…and so on.
It was invented in the 1930s by Professor Dr. Otto Bayer and got widespread use during World War II when it was utilized as a replacement for rubber.
In the coming decades there were many developments and today we are surrounded by polyurethane applications in every aspect of our everyday lives. While polyurethane is a product that most people are not very familiar with, since it’s generally “hidden” behind covers or surfaces made of other materials, it would be hard to imagine life without it.
What color should I paint my outside fuel tank?
Outdoor fuel tanks are often painted in white, silver or light grey because of their characteristics to reflect the sunshine and minimize heat.
More heat energy causes more and faster chemical oxidation reactions, which lead to fuel degradation.
Also, fuel evaporation rates can be reduced by up to 40% compared to a dark color fuel tank by painting it with a reflective paint like silver or white.
If there are several tanks and containers with different content you could paint them in different vivid noticeable colors, which would improve safety by being easier to detect and make them easier to identify.
How do you paint a rusty fuel tank?
The first thing you should do is to clean it. Remove loose rust with sandpaper or a wire brush and then brush it off. Degrease the surface with a water-based Cleaner Degreaser.
Then neutralize the rust with a product such as Metal Prep.
After you have finished cleaning and prepping your outdoor fuel tank, it’s time for painting. When the surface is completely dry paint the rusted areas with a rust-preventing primer such as POR 15. Apply 1-2 coats of the primer.
If you’re using a DTM paint then the priming step can be skipped since it is self-priming.
When the primer is dry-to-the-touch, typically 2-6 hours, you can start painting with the urethane top coat. After about 24 hours apply a second coat with the urethane paint.
How do I protect my fuel tank from rusting?
Keep it clean, wash it every 3-6 years, depending on its location. If it’s located near vegetation it gets dirty quicker than if it’s out in the open where it’s exposed to the sun, dust and rain. The vegetation will cause a layer of algae to form on the tank which will attract moisture and dust which will cause corrosion to form more easily.
When it starts to lose its gloss is a sign that it’s time for another coating. It gets less and less water repellant over time due to exposure to the sun and rain. Then just wash it and give it another coating of paint.
Another sign can be when you see small bubbles, meaning that rust has started to form beneath the paint. Then you need to scrape the bubbles and any loose paint and follow the steps above on how to paint an outdoor fuel tank.
Conclusion for The Best Paint For Your Outdoor Fuel Tank
When you’re sure to have done all the above steps properly, your outdoor fuel tank will last longer and be free from rusting or other problems.
You can also purchase an outdoor fuel tank cover, such as a tarp or similar, if you want to keep it well-protected during wintertime or when it’s not being used.
It keeps the tank clean by preventing dirt, dust and water from entering. So when spring comes again there isn’t any cleaning needed.
I hope this article has clarified and helped you with your questions on what is the best paint for outside fuel tanks.
Related Videos
This video will show you how to go about when painting rusted metal.