BACKGROUND:
I bought an aftermarket gas tank to use as an auxiliary tank since getting the OEM subtank seems like and . The tank has dimensions very similar to the OEM subtank but I need to relocate the filler inlet pipe and add a vent. I'm planning to MIG weld in the two new pipes and close the existing inlet (the tank is band new so no concerns about explosions). The tank is Ni-terne steel, which is nickel-plated then hot-dipped in lead/tin solder.
QUESTION:
How concerned should I be about the backside of the mild steel welds rusting from the inside of the tank? I can protect the outside welds with paint or epoxy, but I'm worried that welding with mild steel wire will destroy the excellent corrosion resistance of the Ni-terne coating on the inside of the tank. There are several pour-in gas tank liner products such as Red-Kote and POR-15, which seems to work reasonably well but sometimes fail after a time leading to a big mess. Is it worth it to use a tank sealer after welding, or should I just take my chances and leave the welds unprotected from rust on the inside? Alternatively I could try to solder in the pipes instead of welding, which may be less damaging to the original Ni-terne coating but maybe not as mechanically strong.
Anyone have experience with this?
I bought an aftermarket gas tank to use as an auxiliary tank since getting the OEM subtank seems like and . The tank has dimensions very similar to the OEM subtank but I need to relocate the filler inlet pipe and add a vent. I'm planning to MIG weld in the two new pipes and close the existing inlet (the tank is band new so no concerns about explosions). The tank is Ni-terne steel, which is nickel-plated then hot-dipped in lead/tin solder.
QUESTION:
How concerned should I be about the backside of the mild steel welds rusting from the inside of the tank? I can protect the outside welds with paint or epoxy, but I'm worried that welding with mild steel wire will destroy the excellent corrosion resistance of the Ni-terne coating on the inside of the tank. There are several pour-in gas tank liner products such as Red-Kote and POR-15, which seems to work reasonably well but sometimes fail after a time leading to a big mess. Is it worth it to use a tank sealer after welding, or should I just take my chances and leave the welds unprotected from rust on the inside? Alternatively I could try to solder in the pipes instead of welding, which may be less damaging to the original Ni-terne coating but maybe not as mechanically strong.
Anyone have experience with this?
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