New Fuel Tank: paint or powder Coat?

I'm planning to replace my fuel tank with a new-old stock genuine VW tank that I've bought.

The new tank has a satin-matte black finish to it, but the finish is a little thin and has some minor storage transit marks on it.

Because of that, I would like to have the tank 'repainted' to be exactly the same, but perhaps with a slightly thicker coat for durability.

Question is does anyone know whether the original finish is powder coat or paint and also whether a fuel tank should be painted rather than powder coated?

As part of the powder coating process, the finish is baked onto the surface at a high temperatures, which could cause any welds / brazing on the tank to melt away (although it depends on how the VW tank has been welded together). Obviously, I don't want to fit a nice new tank that leaks!

Not keen on the idea of powder coating, but my local specialist (who does either paint or powder coat) reckoned it was powder coated (if that's what was used originally, then I'd be fine with that).

Just wondering if anyone has had problems with a powder coated tank?
 

I believe they were painted from the factory but I could be wrong??

Most Mk1 Golf tanks don't rust from the outside, they rust inside if the cars been sat around for long periods of time or the filler neck has rusted away and water gets into the tank.

dont powdercoat if its gti tank. you'll melt the swirl pot

I wouldn't powder coat it either.  A good primer over the oem, possibly an epoxy or two part urethane be sure you tape off the hose ports and sender, then spray the bottom of it with undercoat that hardens.  I would also spray both edges of the seal that is the upper and the lower.  It will do more to prevent rust than anything else that you do and you won't damage anything.  If you purchase the hardening type similar to body-shotz, then you can paint it to match your chassis (body).  This is what I did years ago to an MG that I had.

Thanks everyone. This kind of confirms my suspicions that it should be painted rather than powdercoated (tank is for a non-fuel injected car).

I'll be asking a local powder coaters and paint spraying specialist to do the work. They've advised me to source the paint (so that I can get it matched to the right OEM level of satin and durability), which I'm looking to do from HMG Paints.

It's a shame to have to have to paint a brand new  tank again. I'd prefer this to be done by painting over the original paint (so as to avoid having to have it stripped that might run the risk of the inside becoming contaminated by any blasting media). I suspect though that, from professional angle, they will want to strip the tank before painting, but I can take advice on this from them / the paint supplier.

Choosing between painting and powder coating for a new fuel tank depends on various factors such as durability, cost, appearance, and environmental impact. Here's a comparison to help you decide:

Paint
Pros:

Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than powder coating.
Ease of Application: Can be applied on-site with minimal equipment.
Variety of Finishes: Available in a wide range of colors and finishes, including matte, glossy, and metallic.
Flexibility for Touch-ups: Easier to repair small areas if damaged.
Cons:

Durability: Less resistant to scratches, chips, and corrosion compared to powder coating.
Drying Time: Requires longer drying and curing times.
Environmental Impact: Solvent-based paints can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to the environment.
Maintenance: Requires more frequent maintenance and repainting over time.
Powder Coating
Pros:

Durability: Highly resistant to scratches, chips, and corrosion.
Long-Lasting: Provides a longer-lasting finish with minimal maintenance.
Environmentally Friendly: Contains no VOCs and is a more eco-friendly option.
Uniform Finish: Provides a more uniform and thicker coating compared to paint.
Chemical Resistance: Better resistance to chemicals and harsh environments.
Cons:

Cost: Typically more expensive due to the specialized equipment and process involved.
Complex Application: Requires professional application and curing in a high-temperature oven.
Limited Touch-Up Options: More difficult to repair if damaged.
Color and Texture Limitations: While there are many options, it may not have as wide a range of finishes as paint.
Decision Factors
Durability Needs: If the fuel tank will be exposed to harsh conditions, powder coating is preferable due to its superior durability.
Budget: For a more budget-friendly option, paint may be the better choice.
Environmental Concerns: Powder coating is the more environmentally friendly option.
Maintenance: If you want a low-maintenance option, powder coating is ideal.
Aesthetics: If you need a specific color or finish that only paint can provide, or if you anticipate needing to touch up the coating, paint may be the better choice.

I really Liked the pro's and con's.  But I had my old 67 MG tank cleaned out, and well I Primed it, Painted it (Rattle Can) two coats, I kept the Sending unit un-sprayed cor taped off to provide ground point.  After getting 2 good coats of paint, I sprayed it with Body Shotz or a Rubberized under coating to prevent road spray and such from getting attached to the pain or it being chipped and starting to rust.

For the powered coat, you have to make sure that they tape off the sending unit and ring area as you don't want to have to take that down to bare metal again to get a good ground.