Author Topic: Polished steel tank? (Read 9620 times)

Two-Bit · « **on:** May 28, 2012, 01:36:14 am »

Has anyone ever sanded the tank paint off an just put a clear coat over the polished steel? I am thinking about doing this and would love to see some photos if anyone else has done this. Of course the paint on my tank isn't original right now. I wouldn't ruin a nice original tank.

dave500 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:46:25 am »

Two-Bit · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:51:59 am »

Not bad. Kind of Rat Rod-esque. Are you going to keep it that way? I may consider a satin steel silver finish too.

dave500 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:56:55 am »

that was only stripped for repainting.

Toxic · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2012, 04:48:21 am »

I would love to do it as well but good luck finding a tank without bondo.

I have 3 tanks here that were supposed to be bondo free.

bollingball · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2012, 11:22:27 am »

Quote from: dave500 on May 28, 2012, 01:56:55 am

that was only stripped for repainting.

Looks good Dave is that all paint or decals?
Ken

Really? · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2012, 11:33:29 am »

I started to polish the steel tank once. I gave up. Too grainy and it would not sand out. Figured it went right through the metal.

dave500 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2012, 12:53:56 pm »

its all paint bolling ball,its about three years old now and still good,heres another without badges.

Vbled1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:28:50 pm »

I polished mine, i should have sanded more before i buffed it. I Cleared it and it looked really hazy so i stripped it off. Its been about a year and there isnt any rust, thinking about sanding it again and buffing but it has a large dent behind the emblem that killed it. so on to bondo and paint.

killersoundz · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2012, 03:05:48 pm »

Quote from: Vbled1 on May 28, 2012, 01:28:50 pm

I polished mine, i should have sanded more before i buffed it. I Cleared it and it looked really hazy so i stripped it off. Its been about a year and there isnt any rust, thinking about sanding it again and buffing but it has a large dent behind the emblem that killed it. so on to bondo and paint.

21" front wheel?

Rigid · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2012, 03:40:02 pm »

Agree on finding a tank ding free enough to do that. If yours is, it is a living freakin miracle. I have stripped over 40 t anks and none were ding free.

Vbled1 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2012, 05:29:00 pm »

Quote from: killersoundz on May 28, 2012, 03:05:48 pm

Quote from: Vbled1 on May 28, 2012, 01:28:50 pm
I polished mine, i should have sanded more before i buffed it. I Cleared it and it looked really hazy so i stripped it off. Its been about a year and there isnt any rust, thinking about sanding it again and buffing but it has a large dent behind the emblem that killed it. so on to bondo and paint.

21" front wheel?

21 front and rear

andy750 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2012, 05:55:05 pm »

You mean like this?

cheers
Andy

Kickstart · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2012, 07:14:08 pm »

Andy... that bike looks sweet!

I really like the lack of color (even with the turn signals!) - I'm starting a project and planning on keeping the bike black and metallic... although mine is probably going to be more black than metallic.

Did you clear coat the tank, or just polish and wax it?

Funny to see Two-Bit's post today... just earlier I was thinking about the exact same thing.
I want to try to do a two-tone black and metallic tank (with the metal having a brushed look) - but was wondering how well a clear coat would stick to the bare metal.

andy750 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2012, 07:17:02 pm »

No clear coat just wax and polish.

Thanks
Andy

Two-Bit · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2012, 07:16:44 pm »

Yep, I mean like this. No, my tank isn't perfect. This is why I thought about sanding and polishing. How long did this take Andy?

Quote from: andy750 on May 28, 2012, 05:55:05 pm

You mean like this?

cheers
Andy

Pat_at_APE · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2012, 08:55:28 am »

Your bike looks sweet Andy...

My 550F tank was polished by a prior owner and is a PITA to keep up with.... I can't get it to stop rusting even after I polish it and wax it. Always looks a little rusty.

Painting it an OEM color is my new plan. Candy Sword Blue I'm thinking, unless I sell it first.

Pat at APE

andy750 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2012, 11:48:13 am »

Thanks all.

Bike has been left polished and waxed for over a month now and far no rusting (bike kept in an unheated garage.

Fellow forum member "knowsnothing" polished it for me so no idea how long it took - a couple of hours? I had started it with sandpaper and he buffed it out. Previously I had used Glisten PC clear coat but it turned bad underneath and wouldnt use it again.

cheers
Andy

knowsnothing · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2012, 11:55:44 am »

I didn't really time it, but i would say it took between 2-4 hours over a couple of days. Nothing too bad. I did get a free dinner and beers for the effort

adamlwvdc36 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2012, 04:13:09 pm »

Quote from: Vbled1 on May 28, 2012, 01:28:50 pm

I polished mine, i should have sanded more before i buffed it. I Cleared it and it looked really hazy so i stripped it off. Its been about a year and there isnt any rust, thinking about sanding it again and buffing but it has a large dent behind the emblem that killed it. so on to bondo and paint.

I wonder with these bondo and paint comments... have you all forgotten the ancient art of using lead as a filler (actually a lead/tin alloy aka solder)? seriously, then electroplate the tanks with either nickel or chrome... nickel could give a nice polish without being too chromey.. then lacquer that. you may have to copper plate the area first then go to nickel... but i know of people copper plating lead bullets so why not give this a shot before throwing in the towel on a tank. Heres a quick instructional video:

http://www.youtube.com/v/SD98LDc0GAI

Vbled1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2012, 07:10:11 pm »

Quote from: adamlwvdc36 on May 30, 2012, 04:13:09 pm

Quote from: Vbled1 on May 28, 2012, 01:28:50 pm
I polished mine, i should have sanded more before i buffed it. I Cleared it and it looked really hazy so i stripped it off. Its been about a year and there isnt any rust, thinking about sanding it again and buffing but it has a large dent behind the emblem that killed it. so on to bondo and paint.

I wonder with these bondo and paint comments... have you all forgotten the ancient art of using lead as a filler (actually a lead/tin alloy aka solder)? seriously, then electroplate the tanks with either nickel or chrome... nickel could give a nice polish without being too chromey.. then lacquer that. you may have to copper plate the area first then go to nickel... but i know of people copper plating lead bullets so why not give this a shot before throwing in the towel on a tank. Heres a quick instructional video:

http://www.youtube.com/v/SD98LDc0GAI

sounds really simple and cheap... And why would you lacquer chrome

adamlwvdc36 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2012, 05:43:03 pm »

I wouldnt, but if you nickel plated or copper plated then you may do that to prevent oxidation and keep it shiny without having to constantly polish... kinda like a brass horn, polish it to a shine then lacquer it to protect it. then just cleaning it will make it bling again

Two-Bit · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2012, 03:37:36 pm »

I'm having second thoughts on doing the polished steel tank. I am now thinking about painting either a crimson red metal flake or maybe a candy gold. This photo of a 1968 Triumph is kind of what I may go for. I will keep my side covers black as well. Right now, my bike is green. I don't mind green, but the paint is pretty nasty. Does anyone have pictures of a custom candy gold or crimson paint job?

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2012, 07:15:10 pm »

Andy - looks great. Since just done a month ago, nominating for BOTM.

saxamaphone · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2012, 03:45:31 pm »

Hi all,

I just sanded my CB450 tank down (discovered a couple dents of course) and decided to keep it bare. I've been using Boeshield T-9 and so far so good. I re-apply every 45-60 days.

Fantastic bike Andy!

News:

Author Topic: Polished steel tank? (Read 9620 times)

bollingball