Topic: Tank coatings....?

[Z-MO]

I am doing my first build and got my new fuel tank in.  Wondering what tank coating products people prefer.  The place I bought the tank from suggested Kreem, but they also sell it so...  Any input would be much appreciated.

Thx,
Z-MO

[Tugboat]

I've been hearing really good things about Caswell's
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/caswell-fuel-tank-sealer/

Not sure where to get it though.. checking on that for ya.

[nomad]

I've been hearing really good things about Caswell's
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/caswell-fuel-tank-sealer/

Not sure where to get it though.. checking on that for ya.

Looks interesting...

[fishslayeryo]

Been researching the same... with many opinions read on which is the better. I personally was leaning more towards POR15s tank kit, there's a good writeup on the prep and application of the por15 tank sealer i think in FAQ section.

[Tugboat]

Almost no prep with the Caswell's though from what I understand. You can apply it right over the rust.

[750K]

Is the tank rusty to begin with? If not, why line it and if it is why don't you strip the rust out and see if you can get it rust free? There are a few ways to de rust a tank that seem to work.

[ekpent]

Use any kind of a lining as a last resort if possible unless you have a pin hole leak etc.

[BeSeeingYou]

It's a new tank why line it?  IMO liners are for compromised tanks weakened by corrosion.  Also putting a liner over corrosion regardless of what the product says will lead to eventual failure.  Just check out a few of the many threads on how to remove a failed tank liner.  It happens all to often. 

A photo of my unlined 36 year old tank.  It's not that hard to take care of your stuff.

[Z-MO]

So the tank is brand new, no corrosion.  If I don't need a liner, that would save me some cash. 

[nhodges]

+1 if its new why line it.

I ended up lining mine bc it was rusted pretty bad.  Use KBS system it cost about $40, but it worked great.  Just make sure you following the directions.

I've heard bad things about Kreem

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

My Kreemed tank has done great for MANY years, too many to remember. It's all about the condition when you start and doing it properly. Nothing wrong with Kreem.

[fishslayeryo]

If your tank is new, definitly don't do a liner. The PO of my 71 used Kreem but not sure if he didn't prep correctly as it's coming apart. Seems like with any of these liners doing the proper prep work is the key...if a liner is needed.

[lucky]

I've been hearing really good things about Caswell's
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/caswell-fuel-tank-sealer/

Not sure where to get it though.. checking on that for ya.

You can order it directly from Caswell.
It works better than the Kreem. I have used Kreem on 5 tanks.
On the 5th tank the Kreem reacted very poorly and had to all be removed.
A real pain. Took many hours to get it all out. Luckily the tank had been sitting for about a month or so after I thought it was finished, and one day I noticed itwas all cracked and lifting, just as I was about to install it.

The Kreem tech support was non exsistant.
The Caswell product has people that answer the phone and are very helpful.

The only thing about the Caswell product is it is a tranlucent amber color and so I added a white colorant that I got from TAP plastics and Caswell said it would be ok.
I bought the better grade of colorant from TAP plastics for epoxy.
The directions for how much to mix for the tank were off.
Mix the entire kit for a Honda CB750 because the tank has lots of surface area.
Plan to spend about one hour after you pour it in to roll the tank around and get it all covered. Use a bright LED small flashlight to check inside the tank.
After you get it all covered keep repositioning the tank about every 10 minutes or so until the coating has set up.

On the 1978 5 gallon CB750 tank I had no leftover coating to pour out and it was nice and thick and glossy.
I applied it over a rusty but smooth surface as per the Caswell advice from a technician.

The colorant was about $6.00 and worth every cent.
Below is a photo of the Caswell liner which is thick hard and glossy white with the colorant added.

I will post a photo below.

[lucky]

+1 if its new why line it.

I ended up lining mine bc it was rusted pretty bad.  Use KBS system it cost about $40, but it worked great.  Just make sure you following the directions.

I've heard bad things about Kreem

I have bought brand new aftermarket tanks and did not coat them thinking the wet gas would protect the tank. WRONG.
With in one month most of the inside of the tank was rusty.

So much for that idea.
The factory tanks may have some kind of protective coating on them.

[lucky]

It's a new tank why line it?  IMO liners are for compromised tanks weakened by corrosion.  Also putting a liner over corrosion regardless of what the product says will lead to eventual failure.  Just check out a few of the many threads on how to remove a failed tank liner.  It happens all to often. 

A photo of my unlined 36 year old tank.  It's not that hard to take care of your stuff.

Only one thing. Now the gasoline formula includes ethanol which collects moisture.
Big difference.

[Z-MO]

So it is not a factory tank.  It is a Wyatt Gatling tank.  Does this change things as far as preemptively coating?  Should I not coat it and just keep an eye on it?  Thinking I would have to coat it after the powder coat anyway do to the oven process so I guess prep work and precautions would be about the same either way.  What do you guys think?

[Danno]

don't coat a new tank coating is for really worn tanks that cant be rejuvinated any other way even if you had some flash rust in your tank I would only swish evaporust around in it for a couple hours