Topic: Beadblasting my tank. Good idea?

[fmctm1sw]

350F...  I have a tank with a real ratty paint job on it and some small dents I plan on filling out.  Should I beadblast this or should I just sandpaper it?  I already put some paint stripper on it but that seemed real difficult.  I have a small wire brush and drill too.  I think I'll be OK once stripped, I'm good with body filler.  What's the best way?  If I beadblast what do I need to be careful of?  I've never done that.

[cleveland]

I would have it chem dipped if you are looking for an easy way out. 

[ColinMc]

I beadblasted my 76 750k tank no problem, just make sure you take the cap completely off, the petcock out, and plug the holes! Worked great for me. Nice and clean, just had to sand it down and filler, then primer it.

[okie]

If you bead blast it, you won't want to paint it because it will look so good.  I bead blasted a 350F tank a couple of months ago and was really pleased with the results.    If there is a downside, I haven't found it.  I would suggest using a power sander first to get the striping off, otherwise the striping acts as a mask to prevent the beads from working.

[grumburg]

Took my tank to the radiator shop and had it boiled. Clean inside and out and stripped  to bare metal.

[fmctm1sw]

Sometimes, my delightfully ignorant approach to wrenching on my bikes bites me in the @$$.  My tank escapade is a prime example.  I went the grinding route.  I was out and picked up a small grinding wheel for my drill.  I went to work as soon as home.  Stripped down to the bare metal on the top of the tank and was real happy.  Used some paint stripper to get along the edges and around the cap.  Lot of bondo on this tank.  Then I got to the bottom of the tank...  You guessed it, pinholes.  Some bigger than a pin BTW.  I didn't even have a chance to put "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner in it yet.  So.. What now?  JB Weld?  Have some of that.  Some "gas tank specific" stuff from Autozone or something?  This is about par for the course for me...

[ColinMc]

Get the POR15 tank lining kit and make sure you get the stuff they also sell for patching holes.

[JLeather]

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use Kreem.  Bane of my existence.  It will leave you on the side of the road dumping crap from your carb bowls.  The POR15 stuff is great.  You can tape the bottom of the tank so the pinholes can't leak too much filler and coat the inside with the POR.  It works great.  Just make sure you follow the instructions.

Second option is take it to a radiator shop (if you've still got one in your area) and have them fix it.  They have a red coating they use which also works great.

[Steve F]

If you bead blast it, you won't want to paint it because it will look so good.  I bead blasted a 350F tank a couple of months ago and was really pleased with the results.    If there is a downside, I haven't found it.  I would suggest using a power sander first to get the striping off, otherwise the striping acts as a mask to prevent the beads from working.

+1
With bead blasting, I was also able to remove a bunch of old bondo that was in the small little recesed areas that sanding would never have reached.  The body guy was very happy to see all the crap removed so he could dolly out the dents and high spots. Saved him a bunch of time, and me a lot of money.