Author Topic: Caswell kit/ report (Read 2610 times)

Don R · « **on:** July 25, 2016, 11:36:48 AM »

I got a Caswell kit for an up to 10 gallon tank, my tank is a Fiberglass one by fibermold that hasn't had alcohol in it.

Any tips on using the kit aside from the usual instructions? Should I mix the entire kit for this small a tank?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2016, 11:38:55 AM »

subscribed

BPellerine · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2016, 12:00:59 PM »

don I would just mix half to start,they say to rattle a few screws around inside to rough it up a little,did a husky tank with half for a friend.billp

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2016, 06:23:36 PM »

when I used it, it was really thick, which made it extremely difficult to roll to all area's of the tank before it got too sticky to move. I think it was a little too cold in my shop for it to mix right. So pay close attention to the air temperature requirements in the directions. Calj has done alot of these and he recommends mixing half,pouring in the petcock hole, cover the top, then mix the other half, pour in the filler cap and cover the bottom.

Please update your results when you are done,as Caswell seems to be the only option for fibreglass tanks. I was not impressed with the ease of use of the Caswell sealer and will avoid using it again on steel tanks. But I have a fibreglass tank that I am going to have to use Caswell on.

przjohn · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2016, 06:30:41 PM »

I always mix the whole kit.

Don R · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:47:11 PM »

Getting it warm enough shouldn't be a problem right now. W0W it was hot last weekend. Thanks for the tips, exactly what I was hoping for. I'll do a photo report. It has a bakelite looking block on the bottom with a standard cb750 dual hose petcock on it so I should be able to pour through there to get the top.
Anyone else, jump in too.

Don R · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2016, 11:26:57 AM »

The Bakelite block the petcock is mounted to has a very small hole for the reserve tube to pass through into the tank, I'm not sure if enough fuel would flow on reserve as is to keep an engine running even worse when it's coated. I drilled it a little but my main concern is coating the hole in the fiberglass where the fuel exits.
My thought is use a petcock with no reserve, I have one with a split (frozen?) overflow tube and dual outlets that should work well.
This isn't a long range tank anyway.

Don R · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2016, 01:56:26 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on July 27, 2016, 11:35:01 AM

You can safely drill through the Caswell after it cures to open any blocked fuel passages.

I was worried I might drill through and expose the edge of the fiberglass. It's for my dragbike project but I do plan to ride it around town so pump gas is a possibility at some point.
I did drill out the hole some more but can't go much further due to the o ring.

I used drywall screws and dawn dishsoap to wash out the tank, I tood the screws out with a magnet and rinsed it good. Then I dried it upside down in the sun stuffed with paper towels.

Don R · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2016, 03:59:42 PM »

Well I did it, I'll upload a pic or 2 later. I tried a 1/2 batch but I could see through the fiberglass bottom and didn't seem to be getting total coverage. I mixed the other 1/2 and dumped it in. I'd rather waste some sealer than miss a spot.
Anyway after I added the rest I could clearly see the wave of sealer as I rolled it around and end for end. Some got under the saran wrap (adhesive plastic carpet runner) so I pulled it off and wiped the tank down with a little laquer thinner on a towel. It didn't seem to hurt the paint. I sat it over a box with a trash bag inside and let it drain, then rolled it over and blew the fuel outlet open.

Don R · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2016, 04:00:48 PM »

The Caswell is clear so I can still see through the bottom of the tank.

alacrity · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2016, 06:50:16 PM »

I just get the tank warm first... like over 80 degrees. There are plenty of ways to do this without risking combustion (hair dryer, heat gun, put it in bed with you overnight, whatever).

As for interior prep on a fiberglass tank? I dunno. On steel or aluminum: TEN drywall screws and a few ounces of acetone and shake the crap out of it. Dump all that out. Make sure you see 10 drywall screws. Repeat until the acetone comes out looking just like it did when it went in. Then warm the tank and do the goo.

Don R · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2016, 08:52:12 PM »

I left it upside down overnight and the setting liner left stalagmites and stalagtites from the hump to the ceiling of the tank. I should have turned it back over, the lower corners were getting warm from the chemical action.

jerry h · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2016, 10:38:13 PM »

Quote

Please update your results when you are done,as Caswell seems to be the only option for fibreglass tanks. I was not impressed with the ease of use of the Caswell sealer and will avoid using it again on steel tanks. But I have a fibreglass tank that I am going to have to use Caswell on.

I've used this product on several tanks and had very good results... (all steel tanks, but they list fiberglass on the info sheet)

http://www.hirschauto.com/ALCOHOL-RESISTANT-GAS-TANK-SEALER/productinfo/GTS/

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2016, 10:57:21 PM »

Quote from: jerry h on July 30, 2016, 10:38:13 PM

Quote
Please update your results when you are done,as Caswell seems to be the only option for fibreglass tanks. I was not impressed with the ease of use of the Caswell sealer and will avoid using it again on steel tanks. But I have a fibreglass tank that I am going to have to use Caswell on.
that's interesting Jerry...I was familiar with these products from the car world but had forgotten about them since being into bikes...it's just such a terrible mess when a tank sealer goes wrong

I've used this product on several tanks and had very good results... (all steel tanks, but they list fiberglass on the info sheet)

http://www.hirschauto.com/ALCOHOL-RESISTANT-GAS-TANK-SEALER/productinfo/GTS/

Don R · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2016, 11:49:56 AM »

I assembled the tank on the bike but my brother didn't show up to ride it, (one show, two bikes) so I didn't add fuel yet. I'm assuming more time setting is better, I did park it in the sun for a couple hours.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2016, 12:03:49 PM »

Id let it set as long as you can stand it lol...realize that might not be much longer

Rookster · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2016, 12:35:39 PM »

Quote

I've used this product on several tanks and had very good results... (all steel tanks, but they list fiberglass on the info sheet)

http://www.hirschauto.com/ALCOHOL-RESISTANT-GAS-TANK-SEALER/productinfo/GTS/

Hirsch sealer works very well on fiberglass. Any tank sealer should be able to be re-coated over itself without removing it and the Hirsch allows that. Some of the ones that don't are just not practical because they will never last forever and may need a recoating at some point. On fiberglass when you try to remove the old tank coating you are also attacking the resin so the possibility of re-coating over the old coating must be considered. The other thing is try not to use any ethanol gas in your fiberglass tank even with the liner. If there are any uncoated areas the ethanol will start softening the tank and you will get sticky residue in your carbs. It is worth it to have some ethanol free gas on hand in your garage for fill ups or a gas station near by that carries it.

Scott

grcamna2 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2016, 12:42:44 PM »

I had a classic Norton 750 Commando that I was working on for someone in the late 90's and we wanted to get the tank coated.I brought it to a quality boat builder and he 'gel coated' it w/ clear resin.That has been working good for yrs. even w/ crummy fuel he buys sometimes.

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2016, 03:57:40 PM »

From what I've been told the old style exoxy resin resists alcohol but modern polyester resin doesn't.

I do buy alcohol free gas near home and am sure to run out any gasohol at the end of the year that may have been used when it was necessary. This tank is on my surrogate drag-hot street bike until the real drag bike gets done. It won't see alcohol ever, maybe some race gas though.

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Author Topic: Caswell kit/ report (Read 2610 times)