Topic: Air bubble in tank paint mean hole in tank?

[Powderman]

check the rest of the inside of the tank. If there is a lot of other rust then lining is probably your only option. If it's localized though. I'd suggest gently dimpling in the tank in that area, sanding down to bare metal, and soldering over that hole, you can then touch up with bondo to smooth it out.

I really hate liners as it seems it always a matter of if not when they decide to separate and fail.

Don't you mean "When and not if"?

[calj737]

The same can easily be said of bare metal tanks, Powderman. If you don't like liners, don't use them. Equal parts of rivers have them and are pleased with their results to those with stories of failed liners.

Impossible to determine how/when "failed liners from POs" we're installed. And, if they last 10 years or more, that's pretty dang reliable for 40+ year old bikes that would otherwise rust into ruins without some protection.

[754]

Try to get a bore scope in there and see the really condition... If it's only a few holes, I would probably just try to fix them.. Rather than liner..

[nvr2old]

Another alternative is to take the tank to a radiator repair business.  They can clean the inside beautifully, repair the pin holes and pressure test it for you, too.  I've done that several times with good success.  It will ruin the paint, however, but if it's going to be stripped and re-done anyway..might be a good choice.

[Powderman]

The same can easily be said of bare metal tanks, Powderman. If you don't like liners, don't use them. Equal parts of rivers have them and are pleased with their results to those with stories of failed liners.

Impossible to determine how/when "failed liners from POs" we're installed. And, if they last 10 years or more, that's pretty dang reliable for 40+ year old bikes that would otherwise rust into ruins without some protection.

I don't have an opinion one way or the other towards liners. I was merely asking if what the poster posted was what he meant. In most cases the saying is used when something fails more often than not. Did he really mean "if and not when"? It just didn't sound right to me.

[lrutt]

check the rest of the inside of the tank. If there is a lot of other rust then lining is probably your only option. If it's localized though. I'd suggest gently dimpling in the tank in that area, sanding down to bare metal, and soldering over that hole, you can then touch up with bondo to smooth it out.

I really hate liners as it seems it always a matter of if not when they decide to separate and fail.

Don't you mean "When and not if"?

Yup, that's what I meant. Brain fart on my part

[calj737]

I see your point, Powderman, but reversing the semantics changes the probability. Stated as you re-stated it, its an indication it will fail, not if it will fail. Probable versus possible.

I can tell right now, I'm soaking a tank for SohRon with 4.5 gallons of acetone on a tank lined with Caswell. Its not even budging it. I'll have to drain it and step up to MEK to evacuate the tank of the liner. If Caswell can sit for over 24 filed with Acetone and not weaken, dissolve or separate, then its pretty darn tough by me. You can refer to his thread as to the "why he lined it" and how it has now 2 layers in it.

[754]

How old ng does lining a tank take.. I think maybe an hour or two.?
 And cost.. 25 -50.00 or more?
 Just wondering...it's seems guys on here like lining a tank..In some humans do areas, it may be almost always needed.
 Just bringing it up as I once offered to sell a 400-4 tank on here at one time..appeared to be NOS, but some shelfwear dents..If. Wanted 160.00 I think. Probably PDR fixable with stock paint.
 And then,  a few guys came on and said way too much get a used one for for less on ebay, and then line it..
 And I was thinking.. Who in their right mind would rather have a used tank with a liner, than a tank that may never had seen gas.... To save 50 or 80 bucks...
 

[BollarNPS]

The tank is currently full of gas and i was planning on tackling this challenge this weekend. I noticed though that the air bubbles went away. Is there a chance that this could of been caused by something other than a pin hole. Im just trying to be hopefull here. Thanks.