How did they get around the issues of deterioration with fuels?

Sicomin make a resin designed for fuel tanks -

http://www.sicomin.com/products-epoxy-52.aspx

I haven’t used it, so can’t comment on how good it is.

im unsure about specifics, but i read in a composites magazine about brazils biofuel revolution a while ago. they made massive 100m odd diameter fuel storage tanks for there biofuels (ethanol) so i would assume a tank like that wouldnt be using anything too exotic resin wise. perhaps the thickness of the tank acts in its favour, but i guess thats besides the point.