Hide Your Ugly Heating Tank
Welcome, friends, to the delightful world of springtime transformations! As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, it’s the perfect time to embark on a DIY journey that will beautify your outdoor space and add charm to your home’s exterior.
Today, we’re tackling a common eyesore that many have ignored for far too long: the unsightly oil tank. It’s time to bid farewell to that drab metal monstrosity and say hello to a stylish solution that will have your neighbors green with envy.
Join me as we dive into the wonderful world of creative camouflage and discover how a little bit of paint, clever landscaping, and a dash of ingenuity can transform your oil tank from an eyesore into a stunning focal point of your outdoor oasis. Let’s get crafty, shall we?
Garden design tips for camouflaging your heating oil tank from Lisa’s Notebook.
Given that your fuel tank is already a part of your landscape, you might opt to blend it in with natural screening. By strategically planting greenery around your tank and incorporating these plantings into a larger landscape plan, you can effectively conceal the tank from view while ensuring accessibility for refilling or servicing.
Plants:
Use flowers to climb, crawl, and cover your heating oil tank for a charming and natural look. Roses, wisteria, clematis, jasmine, and honeysuckle are all excellent options that can gracefully scramble over fences, trees, and even unsightly features such as a large steel or plastic tank. Additionally, plants with thorns can provide added protection, deterring potential thieves. You can enjoy year-round color and coverage by carefully selecting plants that flower at different times or are evergreen.
Gravel:
Incorporating gravel, crushed stone, or other rocks into your garden can enhance its appearance and reduce maintenance compared to traditional grass. Gravel around your heating oil tank requires minimal upkeep and provides an audible alert when trespassers are near, thanks to the distinctive crunching sound underfoot.
Fencing:
Consider installing fencing to disguise and protect your oil tank for a quick and easy solution. Opt for a fencing style that complements your garden space, such as trellis fences, which provide a sturdy framework for plants to climb. However, ensure that your choice of fencing still allows your heating oil supplier access to the opening valve as needed.
Hedging:
If fencing isn’t your preference, hedging offers a natural alternative. While it may take time for the hedge to cover your tank fully and will require annual maintenance, such as clipping and trimming, the right hedge can be a beautiful addition to your landscape.
Artful Disguises:
If none of the above options appeal, consider artfully disguising your tank in plain sight. Painting the tank a color that coordinates with your home or choosing a vibrant hue that reflects your personality can turn it into a fun and eye-catching feature of your outdoor space.
By combining natural screening, gravel pathways, fencing, hedging, and artful disguises, you achieve maximum camouflage for your oil tank while creating a harmonious and beautiful outdoor space that enhances your home’s curb appeal. With a thoughtful blend of these techniques, including natural elements, practical features, and artistic touches, your once-unsightly oil tank seamlessly integrates into your landscape, becoming a delightful focal point rather than an eyesore. With imagination and careful planning, you can turn what was once an eyesore into a charming centerpiece of your outdoor oasis.
Check out these Pinterest solutions for creative inspiration.
How to Paint a Heating Oil Tank*
Heating oil tanks are pressurized storage units. Commonly, these tanks are made of bare galvanized metal. Many find this appearance dull and unattractive. Painting can help, but only if the proper procedures are employed. Because heating oil tanks are metal, they don’t accept paint well. The proper base primer will combat this problem. Further complicating matters is the fact that heating oil tanks are very smooth. This leaves them prone to flawed finishes. Prevent this occurrence by employing a specific painting strategy.
Step 1: Clean the heating oil tank with a degreaser. Ordinary soap may leave an unseen residue that will prevent primer absorption. Scrub the oil tank using steel wool. Rinse the tank with wet rags. Do not start priming until the oil tank is completely dry. This may take between one and two hours.
Step 3: Use a roller to apply etching primer to one side of the heating oil tank. Quickly run a polyester brush up and down the tank, effectively smoothing the wet primer to eliminate runs and provide a finish free from roller marks. Apply light pressure as you brush. Prime the other sides of the tank using this same technique. Let the tank dry for three hours.
Step 4: Wash your brush in a sink.
Step 5: Paint the heating oil tank as you primed it. Do not use ordinary latex paint. Instead, choose a high-temperature enamel. Let the tank dry for three hours.
Warning: Nylon paintbrushes will leave marks on a smooth heating oil tank. Be sure to use a polyester brush for best results.Most heating oil tanks are not exposed to sunlight. If yours is, choose a light color of paint that will reflect sunlight. Don’t choose a dark color, or the tank could overheat.
*Hillside is a full-service heating oil company offering automatic or call-in deliveries. We are not liable for the content and hyperlinks containing third-party resources. These posts are for entertainment purposes only. Seek professional help if you wish to paint your oil tank. Hillside shall have no responsibility or liability and Customer shall continue to be solely responsible for painting their oil tanks at all times.
