Hello

I am putting my 97 Chevy on propane. When it came to mounting the tank it was just plain ugly. So I have decided to jump head first into painting My dad had a paint gun that has been lying around for several years that I am planning on using it is a suction type. I have paint a pickup box trailer before but the paint I used was HAMERITE and I real did not care how it turned out.

Now for the question!!

I bought some Omni paint MTKB-Q he said it was a signal stage paint the did not require a Clear.
Can I still clear it and If I were to clear it would it hold up better? What Type of Clear would I need to buy?

The Gun I am using is Not a HVLP would I be better off with one or is the one I have good for the job?

ANY other pointer you guys could pass on to a beginner would be helpful I have a lot of respect for what you guys and the amount of work that goes into a paint job

Thank
Michael

What color is your truck? If its a dark color you might want to consider painting the tank white so it doesnt pop off in hot weather. It tends to get people exited when that happens.

On second thought if you live a cooler climate you can get away with a fairly dark color with out too many problems. Just make sure you put in a brand new relief valve in your tank. Keep in mind that after they pop off a few times the spring in the valve weakens and will start relieving at lower pressures untill you get a new one. However they do look much better when they match the truck.

John

I not too worried about that the color i am painting the tank is a silver Metallic

thanks

Good you shouldnt have any problems with it. I have a 98 pewter colored truck. What kind of conversion are you getting?

impco 300 50/70
Model E Heat exchanger
the autotronic 5924

most of the stuff i had from older carbed pickups i have ran on propane. I can handle mounting all the stuff and getting a carb motor to work and run but i had to find someone to install the integrated processor for EFI Systems




do you have any problems with your VORTEC backfiring when on propane?

Yeah I did. I had a similar system on my truck. It is a big block so I used a 425 with a model e. I had the autotronics computer also. I ended up taking off the conversion because I was planning on selling the truck. I have heard that the technocarb setup is better but is a lot more money. I have 5 other trucks that run on propane for my business. Main thing to watch for is keep your ignition system up. Plug gaps at 035 and good wires will help alot.

There is a guy at Acme Alternate Fuel systems that can give you some tips 507.345.4000

John

Thanks propaniac

As far as the sprayer, what is the better way to go Suction or Gravity feed? What are the pros and cons of each? I am not quit sure what HVLP is, Do i need it or will my suction gun work?


I will most likely buy at harbor freight if i need a new gun. I see from some past posts for a novice they should work fine

thanks

I am no painter but have managed to paint a few propane tanks in my life. Your suction gun should work. The hardest part is the prep work shooting the paint isnt that hard. There is a post on hear by a martin seynor guy that gives you a good idea on how to set up your gun he also has a lot of good pointers. Hopefully someone else will comment so you can get some other opinions.

John