Fuel System Overhaul - Part 3

I picked up my gas tank for the Bug from Sim’s Radiator Service in Lawrenceville today. From what I can see inside the tank it looks coated pretty well. They also took the bottom fuel line fitting out before coating and then put it back on for me so it didn’t get lost. For the most part they did an OK job. I could see down the fuel neck, and there seems to be a piece of grass or debris that got into the coating on the inside? I’ll try to pick it out. They also painted the outside of the tank (I was on the fence whether I should have opted out and told them not to and that I could do that part) which I was less than impressed with. Not only did they use a brush to apply the Rustoleum paint but there were very thick runs in the paint! I also found more pieces of debris and grass stuck to the outside paint. I just didn’t feel right in putting that back in the Bug like that even though the carpeting covers the tank.

For the bottom, there didn’t seem to be as thick a paint job on the bottom so I just sanded it with the orbital sander, and then used a soft sanding block and sponge with some sand paper by hand. I’ll prime and sand it a couple times to get it to look pretty clean and then just paint it.

For the top of the tank though I decided to strip the paint down to the metal. The runs and paint were really thick and I really wanted this to look extra clean and smooth. Plus there was still painted over gasket material around the sending unit opening that I wanted to remove. I used industrial strength aircraft paint stripped. This is the easiest way but man that stuff is nasty to work with. Use caution and gloves with this stuff – and do it outside.

I ran out of time and had to head out later in the evening but managed to get the bulk of the paint removal and sanding done. With a little more time, some primer, and a bit more sanding the tank will be ready for final paint. My fuel screen, fuel lines, and sending unit gasket/hardware should be here today from Wolfsburg West. My steering damper will be here Wednesday and I have to install it before I mount the tank back in. So hopefully Wednesday night the steering damper, tank, sending unit, and fuel tank to fuel line should be installed. First though I will need to clean out the fuel line running through the chassis tunnel.