Topic: Bare metal gas tank - with a twist - questiosn

[bookah]

Hi everyone.

I'm going to strip my tank this weekend and I want to go for the bare metal look, BUT I want to get the tank really dark (think black stained).  Is there a way to go for the brushed, but also nearly black/gunmetal look?

I have been trying to think over how to accomplish this, any suggestions? I can't seem to find anyone who has done something similar online.

[heyitsrama]

You have any images of what you want from around the web? 

[Powderman]

You can get the brushed look with sandpaper and then powder coat in a transparent Black Chrome.

[bookah]

You have any images of what you want from around the web? 

I mean, not really. I was thinking along these lines.

https://www.google.com/search?q=black+metal&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIl8e_ssG2yAIVAZINCh2trg1X&biw=1690&bih=807#tbm=isch&q=black+brushed+metal

[bookah]

You can get the brushed look with sandpaper and then powder coat in a transparent Black Chrome.

Interesting...I never thought about powder coating to get the look.

[DaveBarbier]

What you'd want to do is something similar to this, right? Maybe a little darker?


Strip the tank completely remove all oils and spray it with a black oxide inducing patina spray like the Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau. Apply it a few times and then use a non-aggressive scotchbrite pad or 0000 steel wool to get the brushed effect. Easy as pie and looks great.
http://goo.gl/uJggcT

I used the Slate Black on my tank, headlight bucket, front fender and seat cowl. Gives more of a warm gray look. These will rust if not oiled. I don't (...or try not to) ride in the rain and I oil it only about once every two-three weeks. Instead of washing my bike I just give it a rub down with a penetrating oil like Gibbs.

The powder coat is an interesting idea but it won't ever look or feel like real bare aged steel. Nor will it wear in or age like real steel.

This is my bike if you want to see it on something.

[bookah]

What you'd want to do is something similar to this, right? Maybe a little darker?


Strip the tank completely remove all oils and spray it with a black oxide inducing patina spray like the Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau. Apply it a few times and then use a non-aggressive scotchbrite pad or 0000 steel wool to get the brushed effect. Easy as pie and looks great.
http://goo.gl/uJggcT

I used the Slate Black on my tank, headlight bucket, front fender and seat cowl. Gives more of a warm gray look. These will rust if not oiled. I don't (...or try not to) ride in the rain and I oil it only about once every two-three weeks. Instead of washing my bike I just give it a rub down with a penetrating oil like Gibbs.

The powder coat is an interesting idea but it won't ever look or feel like real bare aged steel. Nor will it wear in or age like real steel.

This is my bike if you want to see it on something.

Billiant!! Exactly. Thank you so much for this.

[bookah]

So, a few questions off the top of my head: No clear coat then? What about the underside of the tank?

[DaveBarbier]

So, a few questions off the top of my head: No clear coat then? What about the underside of the tank?

No clear coat. You can if you want but I like a tank that ages over time. Also, there are nice worn areas from my knees appearing too. I like that and a clear would prevent it. Also, I was reading and clears aren't really designed to ad hear to anything other than a top coat. Apparently they tend to yellow or chip after a while if sprayed on bare steel. No idea how they'd react on an oxide finish.

Simple, just don't strip the underside. Leave it painted.

You're welcome!

[bookah]

So, a few questions off the top of my head: No clear coat then? What about the underside of the tank?

No clear coat. You can if you want but I like a tank that ages over time. Also, there are nice worn areas from my knees appearing too. I like that and a clear would prevent it. Also, I was reading and clears aren't really designed to ad hear to anything other than a top coat. Apparently they tend to yellow or chip after a while if sprayed on bare steel. No idea how they'd react on an oxide finish.

Simple, just don't strip the underside. Leave it painted.

You're welcome!

Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Do you think a craft store like Michael's would have Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau on hand or should I just amazon it?

[DaveBarbier]

So, a few questions off the top of my head: No clear coat then? What about the underside of the tank?

No clear coat. You can if you want but I like a tank that ages over time. Also, there are nice worn areas from my knees appearing too. I like that and a clear would prevent it. Also, I was reading and clears aren't really designed to ad hear to anything other than a top coat. Apparently they tend to yellow or chip after a while if sprayed on bare steel. No idea how they'd react on an oxide finish.

Simple, just don't strip the underside. Leave it painted.

You're welcome!

Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Do you think a craft store like Michael's would have Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau on hand or should I just amazon it?

When I first found this I did some looking around and didn't find anything. Maybe call around? Or maybe you can even call up the company and see if there are any resellers in your area. You probably want it sooner rather than later, but in the words of Jeff Goldblum as a cracker, "One can't always get what one desires."

[BomberMann650]

that is really nice, good work!

[DaveBarbier]

Thanks Bomber

[Mantree]

Many a gun barrel blueing kit

Sent from my ME302KL using Tapatalk

[AlekStooge]

Here is mine looks similar to Dave's but powder coated Bare metal with a satin finish. It needs to be redone b/c there are strange lines on one side of the tank. The powder coater said it b/c I put a blanket over it for a few months. I don't believe that. Also burned off the rubber piece for the latch, not happy! I'm sure a "GOOD" powder coater could achieve what your looking for but Dave's method will be probably cheaper.

[BigBird]

You could coat or dip in motoroil and bake it, repeate for darker look. Will impregnate and protect the bare steel. Test the process on a piece of metal, its a thrill !

[Duanob]

What you'd want to do is something similar to this, right? Maybe a little darker?


Strip the tank completely remove all oils and spray it with a black oxide inducing patina spray like the Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau. Apply it a few times and then use a non-aggressive scotchbrite pad or 0000 steel wool to get the brushed effect. Easy as pie and looks great.
http://goo.gl/uJggcT

I used the Slate Black on my tank, headlight bucket, front fender and seat cowl. Gives more of a warm gray look. These will rust if not oiled. I don't (...or try not to) ride in the rain and I oil it only about once every two-three weeks. Instead of washing my bike I just give it a rub down with a penetrating oil like Gibbs.

The powder coat is an interesting idea but it won't ever look or feel like real bare aged steel. Nor will it wear in or age like real steel.

This is my bike if you want to see it on something.

Nice job Dave!

But...

[shotty750]

What you'd want to do is something similar to this, right? Maybe a little darker?


Strip the tank completely remove all oils and spray it with a black oxide inducing patina spray like the Black Magic from Sculpt Nouveau. Apply it a few times and then use a non-aggressive scotchbrite pad or 0000 steel wool to get the brushed effect. Easy as pie and looks great.
http://goo.gl/uJggcT

I used the Slate Black on my tank, headlight bucket, front fender and seat cowl. Gives more of a warm gray look. These will rust if not oiled. I don't (...or try not to) ride in the rain and I oil it only about once every two-three weeks. Instead of washing my bike I just give it a rub down with a penetrating oil like Gibbs.

The powder coat is an interesting idea but it won't ever look or feel like real bare aged steel. Nor will it wear in or age like real steel.

This is my bike if you want to see it on something.

Pretty bike Dave!

[Chachi]

I've read various things on what to use to wipe on to prevent rust. A friend of mine uses Boeshield T-9 on his bare tank. Some use WD-40. He stripped his with aircraft stripper.

I think I read about Boeshield here first:
http://www.chinonthetank.com/2010/02/bare-metal-tank/

[DaveBarbier]

Thanks guys!

[750K]

I know a few people that use liquid floor wax to protect bare metal, not tanks specifically but it works just the same. Easy to reaply whenever needed.

[jamesk]

Dave,

Can you update us on how the finish on the tank is holding up (if you still have the bike).  Thinking of trying this on a project I'm working on.  thanks!

[Bankerdanny]

Take a look at Noddy78's "Steampunk Bobber Thing" thread over at the project board. He used a gunmetal type finish on his frame that should also translate to a tank.

[jgger]

I had a shotgun that had a rust issue on the outside of the barrel.  I cleaned it with wd 40 and scotch brite pad, then used a spray type car wax on it, silicone type. It remained rust free for about 2 years or more. So that would work on a "blued" tank, E Z P Z! Just give it a squirt every time you wash it or expose it to water/rain.