Hey sorry guys, I got super busy and checked out for a few days... So here's the update:
Went with the fiber fill and then bondo'd on top.
This was my first time ever using either, so it was a serious learning process... e.g. the right amount of hardener to add/the right color to get it to, the amount of time you have to cake that stuff on—fiber or reg bondo—before it's not workable anymore, etc, etc
Oh and I decided to fill in the badge areas too and just attempt to make the whole thing smooth.
I used a coarse sanding on the bare tank so the fiber had something "grab" on to, more or less. So after the fiber fill was done curing, the bondo process began. This was a lot of trial and error. First time I added too much hardener and had like a minute to get a layer on. I ended up sanding most of back because I did such a bad job. Second time I didn't add enough and it didn't harden even after a few hours. So I wiped the gummy goodness off and tried a third time. This time I realized the dang spreader that came with the bondo is the exact color you want the stuff—that's why they made it that way.
So I probably bondo'd and sanded a good four or five times after that. So. Much. Sanding. I couldn't lift at the gym for a week because my shoulder was tweaked out from all the frickin sanding.
Then I wiped it down, and got it ready for primer. I got this rattle can primer/filler stuff at Auto Zone. Krylon I think. Started with the underside just to add another layer of something under there in case the paint stripper I had used previously took anything off. On the main part of the tank I think I did four coats of the filler/primer, fine sanding and wiping down again after each time.
I started running out of time because the film crew was coming to pick me up in a few hours. I actually began to fall in love with the flat burnt orange color of the primer so I just said screw it, I'm going to leave it with primer for the film.
So then things got interesting. Got a call from one the guys to touch base, and I decided to just double check that they had indeed rented a van with a hitch receiver. The plan was to hook up my trailer to their 15passy E350. He checked, sent me pictures, and I confirmed that there was indeed no hitch receiver. We quickly discussed options: having a cap/hitch place install one while we waited or I find a pickup truck and drive up on my own. The install option wouldn't work out because it would have messed up their schedule. I couldn't find a pickup truck. So he talked to the director and they decided to just can the scene. I guess sometimes when you've got a movie with an $80k budget, things get trimmed.
So I'm left with a tank that could have been done right had there been no rush. Oh well... But as you can see in the pictures, my bike is of the "raw" persuasion. I honestly don't mind the imperfections of the bondo that can be seen when you get up close. Just looks like a roughed up tank. It's better than a 9" wide 1" deep smiling dent I suppose.
And if you're wondering, yes, there's still just primer on the tank. I know this is a no-no. But I really like this friggin color and can't seem to find it in flat. Could I just throw some clear coat on? Is there a good no-gloss clear in a rattle can I should look for?
So yeah, the end, sorta. Good story right? You could make a movie out of it.
Before Sanding
Before Sanding, other angle
Third Coat of primer
It'll do
