Topic: JB Weld Epoxy or Steel Stick for Tank Holes?

[JBCB500]

Howdy folks.

I've discovered a few small pinholes in my tank where the PO got a bit overzealous with bondo filling the old logos and sanding round about them.

I have some JB Weld Steel Stik that says it's ideal for this type of thing but I can't seem to get it to set hard. 

I also have some JB Weld clear epoxy and I wonder it that is suitable?

Or are there other methods?  Solder?

[grcamna2]

I imagine it could be brazed or tig welded depending how thick the steel is;has the tank been lined inside yet ?
I don't have any experience w/ the tank sealer products that you mentioned yet.

[700504]

Epoxy will work fine.

Seconded, I used standard JB weld on pin holes, it's held for 3 years. Make sure it cures fully or it will peel off like a scab when the gas finally eats through.

[RAFster122s]

Epoxy will work fine.

Seconded, I used standard JB weld on pin holes, it's held for 3 years. Make sure it cures fully or it will peel off like a scab when the gas finally eats through.

That can mean letting the tank sit without fuel for 48 hours in a warm place, ideally letting it sit for a week in the house will ensure it is fully cured.
Rinse the tank with acetone after draining and leave it open and use a hair dryer or heat gun to get the tank to dry out.

If you have pinholes there you probably should do a good look with a boroscope or mirror and light to check the sides and corners of the tank as well as the top.
If they sanded through it sounds like your tank has some rust problems that would probably be best dealt with to ensure long life.  Caswell's and POR-15 tank kits are some of the best available and Caswells had been on sale a while back.  Check prices for either at various bike suppliers and amazon, etc for best price.

David

[Duke McDukiedook]

Won't ethanol in modern fuel make relatively short work of epoxy or JB Weld?

[John Eberly]

In my experience, yes.

I used epoxy first and then JB weld to "fix" a problem at the fuel inlet on a quadrajet carb. The material eventually came apart and plugged the float needle in both cases.

I would suggest a tank lining instead.

[78whiteorbs]

Use this! Works great...can even use on gas wet metal!

[78whiteorbs]

Ive repaired a few"rider" tanks on some 77-78 cb550 tanks that always seem to pin hole at the bottom inch or so of the tank. In addition I use redcote thinned withe acetone about3:1 ratio to dry in an hour or so inside and 5 years later still no complaints! No leaks! With the thinned redkote just to two or three thinner coats instead of one thick one. Takes forever that way and you have to keep rotating it so it doesnt pool and skin over.

[b52bombardier1]

I recommend the POR15 fuel tank liner kit. And don't buy any other POR15 product thinking it will work. They make other anti rust paint and bed liner products but only one item is resistant to fuel. This urethane will certainly repair pin holes.

And this process must be followed to the letter. Preparation is key and can't be hurried to prepare the tank metal to accept the liner liquid. I'm currently  working on a friend's 1999 Honda 50 metal tank and it will take me at least a week to let the phosphoric acid work it's magic to get the rust out.

And don't think that swimming pool acid or any other strong acid is suitable to speed this process up. They are too aggressive and can damage good metal. The phosphoric acid is much better here but takes time.

Rick

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[RAFster122s]

If you flush the tank and clean it well and get the fuel vapors or other vapors out you can braze or solder holes closed.  Acid flux needs to be avoided as you cannot clean this flux away on the inside of the tank.
 
You don't need to be concened with fuel compromising the  solder or braze.
If it was bondo'd over because of pinholes several times ignorant or unscrupulious bike flippers will use bondo as a means of hiding a tank beyond its useful life.

Some people recommend you never sand a tank's metal because if the tank has internal corrosion you are weakening the metal further and if you have an accident that tank is more likely to be compromised in a wreck.  It can cause the bike to catch fire or worse soak you with fuel before catching fire. Or, in the rare case of exploding if the flame reaches the fuel vapor. The sanding of the bare metal should be minimized and chemical strippers be used as much as possible instead of mechanical means of sanding.