1965 Mustang Gas Tank Restoration - DIY

In this article we'll cover 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration for a daily driver, but the procedure applies to all years of the classic pony car, from 1966 and up.

Concours gas tank restoration (ie.show quality), is different from what follows and usually means using a new, properly stamped steel tank and is

covered in a different article.

The finish should be natural, with the original US Steel stamp on it, regardless of whether your 1965 Ford Mustang was built in (T) Metuchen, New Jersey or (R)San Jose California or (F) Dearborn, Michigan. The stamp may not be available on the lower priced new restoration tanks and obviously only a concern if you are looking to enter your car for Concours judging.

Precautions and Preparation

Whether you begin your 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration from the inside or the outside, really doesn't matter. What does matter, is safety first.

Checklist

Remove the battery cables to prevent electrical sparks which could cause an explosion or fire.

in a well vented area, drain any remaining gas using the drain plug located on the front right hand side of the tank (using an approved container to store).

remove or cut off the gas line, catching any remaining gasoline.

remove the gas tank sending unit plug

remove bolts securing the tank to the trunk floor

disconnect the hose clamps from the short rubber filler hose

remove filler neck bolts from rear body panel

disconnect filler, hose and clamps

carefully pry the tank from the sealing tape/glue and remove the tank from the trunk

rinse the gas tank with water, shaking well and allow to air dry

Note: the purpose of the water rinse for the 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration, is simply to help remove remaining gas and flammable vapor from the tank prior to starting the gas tank restoration to ensure safety and reduce annoying fumes.

Exterior 1965 Mustang Gas Tank Restoration Basics

Fortunately, there's not a great deal to do to get that old tank looking like new again and protect it from the elements.

Unless your tank is au-natural and no paint or undercoat is covering it, you're going to need to first, remove the old finish and then refinish it with a tough, waterproof coating for long life.

Most classic Mustang gas tanks, started life as unpainted metal, but over the course of time, were either repainted, undercoated, or covered with overspray from repaints over the years.

If your tank isn't at all rusty and you just want to spruce it up and protect it, this do it yourself procedure will work fine, with one change which we'll discuss a bit later.

If you want to paint or undercoat it again, the only difference in the procedure below, will be that for an undercoat job, you can skip using the finer sandpaper.

Cleaning and Restoration Procedure

Paint Stripping

Begin your 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration by removing the old paint and crud.

strip the old paint, undercoat etc, with your favorite paint stripper. It's a good idea to use gloves and safety glasses. This stuff is nasty on the skin!

It's easy, just paint it onto the surface, wait till the paint starts bubbling up and scrape it off with a stiff wire brush and a metal scraper

Sanding and Smoothing

using 80-120 grit sandpaper, sand off any remaining old paint or surface rust. Then, give it a once-over with 320 grit paper, to even out the surface a bit more.

If the surface was mostly clean, use a scuff pad (available at most auto parts and paint stores) and scuff up the surface for refinishing.

Rustproofing

Whether you are planning on just a cleanup to a natural finish tank, or a good dose of paint or undercoating, you'll want to treat the tank to a couple of coats of spray on rustproofing paint. If you are looking for a clear surface, it's easy.

Just pick up a can of the clear rust treatment, made by several manufacturers.

Surface Prep

If you plan to undercoat or use rock guard, not much preparation is necessary. Simply wipe the surface clean with a clean rag soaked in silicone, grease and tar remover, allow it to dry and spray on your rust treatment, followed by the undercoat.



















For a painted surface, or a clear coat, you'll need to treat this metal like any other painted body surface, with proper sanding technique and smoothness, followed by a thorough cleaning, and using a tack cloth to catch any dust or lint before spraying it.

Then, tape over any areas not requiring paint or undercoat and spray your surface.

Interior Tank Restoration

Getting to this point, I have to note that if you need to include the inside of the tank in your 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration, you may want to seriously consider just buying a new tank.

With a 1965 Mustang gas tank cost in the neighborhood of about $130 for a brand new 1965 mustang gas tank, it may or may not be worth your time and materials to refurbish the inside of the tank.

But if you do, it's pretty easy to do the job. With the filler neck removed and the tank sender and float removed from the back of the tank, blast out the inside of the tank with either compressed air, or a pressure washer, to remove any loose rust, scale from the old fuel or other contaminants.

Pick up a can of liquid tank liner, which usually is some kind of epoxy formulation. Mix it up to the manufacturer's specs and pour the required amount into the tank. Cover or tape up the holes and rotate the tank until all sides and corners have been covered with a layer of the liquid material.

Pour off any remaining mix and allow the inside of the tank to dry as directed.

Final Assembly

reattach the float/gauge sending unit into the tank, using a new gasket

using new sealing rope or a good flexible sealant, cover the tank body flange and bolt the gas tank back into the trunk.

grab some new gas line and clamps and hook the gas line to the tank

reattach the gas filler neck and flexible hose to the tank and reattach the filer neck to the back body support

partially refill the gas tank and check for leaks

Drive and Enjoy!

knowing that you'll probably be the only person in the world that will appreciate your 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration (except for other fellow Ford Mustang owners)

Wasn't that easy?

If you've decided to go with a new tank, check out the Part 13 - Mustang gas tank Installation section for complete details on how to remove and install a new gas tank, re-install the fuel gauge wiring, fuel sender and your Mustang's fuel neck tube.



Return from 1965 Mustang gas tank restoration to Mustang restoration Part 1 - Mustang Restoration

Part 2 -Resurfacing Minor Irregularities

Part 3 - Rear quarter panel repairs

Part 4 - Inner Fender Refinishing and Repair

Part 5 - Mustang floor pan replacement

Part 6 - Floor Pan Replacement Continued

Part 7 - Headliner Replacement

Part 8 - Mustang Dash Restoration

Part 9 - Trunk rust repair

Part 10 - Priming and Painting your Mustang Part-1

Part 11 - Gas Tank Restoration

Part 12 - Color Sanding

Part 13 - Mustang gas tank Installation

Part 14 - Mustang gas tank Restoration

Part 15 - Valve Cover Restoration

Return to Ford Mustang