| Author | Message | ||
     Mick |
Sorry fellas , spose this has been covered lots of times but I can't find it  But what do ya use to seal the tank before painting? | ||
| Buellgekk |
Mick, I taped some ducktape over the hole and then cutted it in a round shape using a razor knive. | ||
| Mick |
Sorry Buellgek, I meant, what to use to stop the paint bubbling . Good pointer tho . | ||
| Oldog |
there was a blip about not sanding the original primer sealer, with regular sand paper, but Scotch brite or some thing similar. If I understand it correctly the tank is Nylon or of that family. | ||
| Mick |
Thanks Oldog, its got a bubble on the front edge in one spot so I'll have to seal that bit. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Mick - you're lucky if its only one spot. The whole right side of my S1W's tank looks like it has poison ivy. Ugh. It'll be coming off this winter for strip/paint at a local shop... | ||
| Djkaplan |
From what I understand, anything you cover the tank with has to be able to handle the 'outgassing' of the fuel tank (I may have the terminology wrong). The plastic tank slowly lets fuel vapors migrate through it and if it can't pass throught the sealer, adhesion promoter, color and clear coats, it'll bubble underneath the layers instead. I mentioned this to the guy who painted my bike years ago and he acted like he knew what I was talking about. He used PPG products on the tank which had a majority of the factory paint sanded entirely through to the plastic. I never had a problem with bubbling with this paint job. However... I got my bike repainted again last year, and couldn't get the original guy to do it (he turned into a crackhead). Not sure what the new painter used (I suspect Sikkens products) but I do have a slight bubbling problem now. When a little bubble pops up (I've only had three in 2 years) I pop it with a needle and rub it back down with a hairdryer, but I'll have to get it repainted sooner or later. | ||
| Buellgekk |
Isn't this bubling caused by exposure to the sun for a long time? It's also possible to seal the tank from the inside, with expoxy. See: http://www.tankcure.nl/Engels/indexuk.html | ||
| Ceejay |
Stay away from the inner tank sealers. Maybe the guy did it wrong but a guy I work with had to have his carbs rebuilt after using that stuff as it all ended up going down the tube. On to your tank-strip it off however you see fit. Probably best to strip all the way to the Nylon and then sand with 200g til smooth. lighty cover with primer-this is important as too much primer will cause bubbling. Also do not use any filler/spot putty. The primer needs to be a very light coat. Then paint as you normally would. I've used PPG stuff, HOK stuff, and Wal-mart with good results, as long as you keep the primer coat to a minimum. | ||
| Mick |
Thanks fellas, is it a fibreglass primer you would use? | ||
| Davefl |
Send me a PM and I will send you the Buell paint procedure I got from Al at American Sport Bike. | ||
| Mick |
Thanks for the info Dave, your a "LEGEND" mate  | ||
| Chromer |
I bought a tank sealer kit from Caswell plating supply. I put it in about four years ago and no problems or bubbles yet. Before I tried grinding the nylon down to nubs. All kinds of primers and various paints. I'm talking about repainting the damn thing six times and each time bubbles showing up in less than a year.Seems like when they are new they may hold up for a few years. But once they start to bubble they go straight to hell. I got desperate and bought the tank sealer kit and as I said four years later no problems. Of course the jury is still out. | ||
| Seth |
One year to the day and my $900 dollar paint job is bubbling  | ||
| Buellgekk |
I don't know what this is about paint bubling. Here in the Netherlands i've never seen the paint bubble (only old tuber stickers) But after repaint, never seen it buble from nobody, maybe it's the climate or kind of gasoline? | ||
| Bigblock |
A Friend of mine with a custom bike shop, with an excellent reputation (he's a many time show winner) for paint as well as building, says he always sends out Buell and other plastic tanks for inner sealing now. He has had too many call backs for bubbling paint. The seal job has a lifetime guarantee, and he says he has never had one come back. To the best of my knowledge, so far. YMMV. | ||
| Mick |
MMM, that sounds the go then. | ||
| Seth |
"...for paint as well as building, says he always sends out Buell and other plastic tanks for inner sealing now..." What company and or product does he use? | ||
| Seth |
What tank sealer do most recommend? I don't want to buy the first one I find and later learn it stinks. thanks. | ||
| Darren |
Hi Seth Have a look at this link http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29 780 I would not use Kreem or Rusteco neither mention plastic tanks. Most peoples issues with tank sealing is rust! This is not a issue with Buell plastic tanks. Also found this: The following should be of some help. Kreem is made by "Kreem Products" (P.O. Box 399, Somis CA). Phone number is (805) 386-4470. Information on product container reads: "Kreem Fuel Tank Liner is designed for use as a preventive maintenance product in metal tanks, new and old; containing gasoline, gasohol, or diesel. Kreem Tank Liner has a unique formulation with extremely rapid set-up, that prevents leakage from hairline cracks and seam pinholes by coating the tank's inner surface with a fuel resistant elastomer. Not for plastic tanks. Kreem is NOT compatible with all fiberglass tanks. You must spot test before use." But this Tank Care Products We are pleased to be able to offer you a complete range of Tank Restoration Products. We have worked with leading manufacturers of fuel tank products for the Aircraft and Automotive Industries to bring you the most advanced technology in Rust Conversion, Tank Liners and Petseal Remover. WE DO NOT SELL `PETSEAL' OUR PRODUCT IS A FAR SUPERIOR AIRCRAFT SPEC TANK SEALANT. IT WILL NOT VIBRATE LOOSE AND CRACK. AND CAN BE USED ON STEEL, ALUMINIUM, PLASTIC AND FIBRE GLASS TANKS. http://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/ This stuff looks great as it is rubber based and used in aircraft! I will phone them on Monday as he gone home for the weekend (part timer ) for info and let you know what they say. Regards Darren | ||
| Darren |
Hi Seth, Just spoke to Tank Care Products. They say “We have had only one problem and yes it was with a Buell plastic tank. Their product does give off fumes witch could damage the paint work. We recommend sealing the tank before outer pant finish is applied.” This is a difficult one for me, I have two fuel tanks one is a manta tank. Neither tank is leaking or bubbling and that’s the way I want it to remain. So I think I mite experiment on the standard tank. My manta tank was spayed about three years ago but I haven't got to the stage in my rebuild of fitting the tank (some of you might be thinking it’s a long time for a rebuild? But I have been moving around a lot over last couple of years) I like the sound of tankcare product as it is rubber based and plastic tanks do swell up. All the other products I have looked at are epoxy based as I understand ridged based. I am not an expert so if some one else knows better please help! Darren | ||
| Darren |
The company below are the makers of PR10051 Tank Sealer PRC® Aerospace Sealants PRC-DeSoto International, Inc. 5454 San Fernando Road, PO Box 1800 Glendale, California 91209 (818) 240 2060 Fax (818) 549 7771 (Formerly Courtaulds Aerospace, Inc.) Even better they are owned by PPG who supply all the Buell tuber paint. Darren | ||
| Darren |
This is there web address: http://www.ppg.com/prc-desoto/main.asp Lots of info on tank sealers. | ||
| Darren |
This has just arrived From: "Keller, Bill" <bill.keller@prc-desoto.com> Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:17:40 -0400 To: Darren Subject: RE: Tank Sealing Darren: It should stick to nylon fine. Actually we have a small nylon tank from a UCAV in our lab for testing with PR-1005L. Do three or four fill & drain slosh coats to get a good thickness. Allow several hours to air dry between coatings. Since it cures solely by solvent evaporation, getting good air circulation in the tank is very important. You might want to put an airline into promote air exchange. After final coat let dry at least three days. Now - the first time you put gas in the tank the gas will turn red-purple. This is the colorant coming out of the PR-1005L. It is normal, and the dye we use is the very same that is used in the gasoline itself. Regards, Bill PS - All the historic Brit bikes, and all the high end Euro bikes, and you went with an American bike? | ||
| Seth |
Darren, Thanks a million for doing all the "leg work" finding a suitable tank sealant! | ||
| Darren |
Pleasure Let everyone know the results. Darren | ||
| Sportycraig |
I'm going to seal my M2 fuel tank prior to painting but don't know how to remove the petcock filter,can anyone help? thanks craig |
