REd plastic gas tank

Phil Tucker

New member
Anybody ever use a rattle can to paint their red plastic outboard motor tank??? Wonder if paint would stick???
 
Painting over the original red color defeats the intent of making ALL portable gas tanks red. It's a safety issue.

A better solution is to throw a cover over the tank when you need it covered. Leave it uncovered all the rest of the time.
 
I agree with Dave, but have had good luck with both Rustoleum and Krylon Fusion camo paint on canoes made of various plastics.

I suspect they'd work on a fuel tank if you want to ignore his good advice.

In my boat, I toss my camo lifejacket over the fuel tank.
 
Just to keep it legal my wife made a camo cover with elastic to keep the cover on. Works great and no issues using a non compliant container.
 
Phil~

I understand Dave's safety point, but - I sprayed such a plastic tank after sanding it with 100-grit then wiping with acetone before using Rustoleum. It was before the "fusion technology"in Rustoleum and Krylon. It needed another coat the next season.

View attachment sm P - Gas Tank and fwd turnbuttons.jpg

Personally, I would hesitate to cover any fuel tank with a cloth cover - temporary or otherwise. I prefer to let air waft away any fumes. I do keep mine red - but locate them where web-footed creatures cannot see them (cockpit - and outboard - covered whilst gunning).

View attachment sm Portrait 2.JPG

Hope this helps,

SJS


 
Storing gasoline in a non compliant portable container (a container some other color than red) is the same as removing a stop sign in the dead of night.

ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THE CONTAINER AND ONLY YOU KNOW THE STOP SIGN IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

Think about that for a minute.

No one here would remove a sign on the road warning others that they should stop. I would hope no one here remove or paint over the warning (that very recognizable red color) "This contains gasoline, a highly flammable and explosive substance!"

The folks being put at risk are everyone else who may come in proximity of that container, for whatever reason. Think about all the possible situations in which you might not have direct control of that container. Think about the times when you wouldn't be with that container to warn some one about it's contents.
 
I was convinced already, but well presented argument Dave.


Huntindave McCann said:
Storing gasoline in a non compliant portable container (a container some other color than red) is the same as removing a stop sign in the dead of night.

ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THE CONTAINER AND ONLY YOU KNOW THE STOP SIGN IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

Think about that for a minute.

No one here would remove a sign on the road warning others that they should stop. I would hope no one here remove or paint over the warning (that very recognizable red color) "This contains gasoline, a highly flammable and explosive substance!"

The folks being put at risk are everyone else who may come in proximity of that container, for whatever reason. Think about all the possible situations in which you might not have direct control of that container. Think about the times when you wouldn't be with that container to warn some one about it's contents.
 
I honestly can't think of an instance where the color of the gas tank would have any impact on the success of a duck hunt.
If the ducks can see mthe gas tank sitting behind the rear bench of the boat, I need to put my blind up.
Or I need to be shooting.
Or I need to grab the damn duck before it flies out of the boat....
 
How exactly does it being red make it safe? Because it's noticeable and a universal color identifies its contents?
 
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Paul Mc said:
How exactly does it being red make it safe?

Your joking right? What do you think when you see a red container? Do you figure that it more than likely contains gasoline? Would you think the same thing if the container was blue or yellow ?
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Interesting. I never really thought of it. I guess I was implying if someone were to see a tank of any color with a fuel hose attached to an engine, they'd likely presume it was gas.....
 
Paul Mc said:
Interesting. I never really thought of it. I guess I was implying if someone were to see a tank of any color with a fuel hose attached to an engine, they'd likely presume it was gas.....

Well, we are discussing a portable container and you are making several assumtions.
(A) with a fuel hose attached
(B) fuel hose attached to an engine,

It is quite common to encounter a portable fuel tank by itself. The container may be in a garage, in a storage building, it might be in the back of a vehicle, it might just be sitting outside on the ground for the last several months. That is why it is referred to as portable. Permanent tanks fall under different regulations.
 
Paul,

First and foremost, even tho I have a strong opinion on this subject, I am by no means attempting to "argue" with anyone. My comments in the thread are directed to everyone rather than any one individual.

Just for sake of discussion; I would venture a guess that out of the overall general population here in the US, It would only be a small percentage that would recognize a portable fuel tank for an outboard engine, even less would recognize it, if said tank was blue, pink, brown or a camo color.

The whole point is a red container is more readily recognized for what it is, simply because of the fact that it is red. Knowing or at least suspecting the contents, allows anyone encountering that container, to treat it with the proper precautions, irregardless of how, why or where they make this encounter.
 
Steve Sanford said:


Personally, I would hesitate to cover any fuel tank with a cloth cover - temporary or otherwise. I prefer to let air waft away any fumes. I do keep mine red - but locate them where web-footed creatures cannot see them (cockpit - and outboard - covered whilst gunning).



My cover allows for venting and filling as she sewed openings for the cap as well as the hose connection. I too want my tank vented and allowing fumes to vent to atmosphere.
 
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Truly no sweat at all Dave. I actually never saw that color chart before, interesting. I'm pretty low tech with a three gallon tank that's under the deck of my boat and it never comes out. I top it off occasionally with a larger tank that I fill up once at the beginning of the season (and yes it's read).....so I don't have multiple cans that are stored and spend a lot of time on the road going back and forth to town in a truck etc.. I wasn't thinking about he larger transportation and storage reasons for the color coding.
 
Mine are covered by cordua nylon covers I had wife sew up . You could do it a lot cheaper by slideing and old camo t shirt over it!
 
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