Fuel Tank Restoration

[reubsrover]

There's plenty of threads on the topic but I can't find the answer to this question.

I've unsoldered the fuel tank cradle from the actual tank, derusted everything and now wish to put it back together. There is one issue though. Now that it is nice and shiny I'm wondering how to protect the bottom of the tank and the top of the cradle.

The problem I foresee is any painting I might do will be damaged when I solder with the gas gun. Any one done this? Any solutions?

Thanks

[stuee]

As I couldn't afford a new tank for my 101 I had the rust holes soldered up, and a KBS Fuel Tank liner put in.

For rust protection I painted both the bottom of the tank and the carrier with KBS rust seal and used Sikaflex to bond the two items together.

My intention is to get at least 5 years out of it but after finishing it I think it may last quite a bit longer with reasonable care. I'll be injecting cavity wax through a small hole that I've left in the sikaflex seal to keep any water displaced, and the idea is I can regularly give it a flush out with cavity wax or fish oil or the like.

I steered clear of soldering because as you point out it can damage the paint finish and consequently makes it very susceptible to rusting out.

The sikaflex does mean Ill never get it apart again, but by the time it needs replacing Ill be in a position to have a new tank fabricated.

Re-assembly pics in this post:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/101-forward-controls-variations/136398-101fc-fuel-tank-options-3.html#post1567984

Link to thread:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/101-forward-controls-variations/136398-101fc-fuel-tank-options.html