Gas tank stripping, how to do it?

[Former User robertx901]

Hey y'all,

I have a 1968 V700 with a gas tank that's solid (no leaks, inside is clean), but the outside is ugly -- thick black paint of unknow origin that's cracked and bare in some spots. I'd like to strip it down to bare metal without hurting the chrome underneath (it looks like the entire tank is chrome under the paint).

How best to get the paint off? Use a chemical paint stripper? Use a wire brush on a drill?

Once I do get it stripped down and prepped, I'd have an expert paint it for me, but want to do as much prep work as I can.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[lemans850i]

I would use chemical stripper, rubber gloves, 2 “ paint brush, wooden paint stir sticks, water hose, 2 rolls of paper towels, a nice sunny day and a bag of patience!

Don’t do anything that would scratch the chrome you want to leave unpainted in the end!

Tank in the sun... gloves on hands, brush stripper on
... watch it blister....
scrape loose paint off with wooden stir sticks..
Wash tank off, dry with paper towels (increases the efficiency of the next layer of stripper)
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat as needed

 

[Raven]

You may even want to leave it unpainted if it's in good shape.

 

[davethewelder]

Exactly what lemans850I said.

 

[Former User robertx901]

Thanks, I'll do what lemans850I suggests.