Nearly two years ago, we replaced our fuel tanks and applied transparent stickers to specific areas for protection, according with the Padoan R&D team, as a real life test to see how the material would change in appearance and structure over time.

After traveling for two years over all types of surfaces, near the ocean and to high altitudes, it’s time to take a look.

So we remove the stickers and thoroughly clean the tanks to eliminate any adhesive residues and surface contaminations.

It’s time to get real! In terms of material performance, both tanks have proven to be excellent, especially regarding corrosion resistance. We’re impressed.

It is also to be said that cleaning is easy with a simple detergent and water, just pay normal attention to the caps. In this way, the ‘quick tips’ sheet that comes with the tank is useful with some practical tips on installation and maintenance.

The photos clearly show the difference between the two materials: the aluminum tank naturally develops a protective oxide layer over time, resulting in a lighter and more matte appearance – this is only a visual change, it does not alter the performance of the material.

In contrast, the stainless steel tank shows almost no visual change and has proven resistant to all cleaning agents we have used so far.

The aluminum tank shows two small dents at the front caused by stone impacts from the many gravel roads we have driven, while the stainless steel tank remains undamaged.

This nicely highlights the difference in material density and impact resistance. But it should be noted that the extra robustness of the stainless steel tank goes hand in hand with a bit of additional weight.

Is there a clear favorite from our perspective? The honest answer is No.

Both materials have their distinct advantages and disadvantages, as discussed in previous articles.

Ultimately, the best choice depends strongly on the vehicle type, the positioning of the tanks, and the regions in which they are used.