Vincent, all the ones I do here are sandblasted then coated with two coats of black POR-15   It�s the only coating that will last, all others will come back off eventually.  If you don�t like black, POR-15 has other colours or you can top coat with the colour of your choice.

On Nov 3, 2014, at 5:26 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> I got the tank off my van for the first time. I definitely have to replace
> the valve.
> I snaded and brushed all the rust off, and it looks awesome. My mechanic
> emphatically suggested that I paint it white with rustoleum (brush)
> Same for the protectors plate.
> But I hate to do it. It looks really cool.
> 
> Is there any real bad reason for not leaving it in steel, with several
> coats of varnish or other finish?

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 04 ~07, 2015