Topic: I want to keep my tank bare metal, which clear should I use?

[sam_watts01]

I am about to strip the paint off my tank and I want to keep the bare metal look. What kind of prep and clear should I use?

[domer]

pm greasyj (pretty sure thats his u.n.) he did a pretty sweet bare tank, not sure how he did it though...

[Blitzburgh207]

I'm going to do this with mine.  I saw it while researching a yamaha triple one day.
Just google classified moto or john ryland.
The guy's really cool - you can ask him anything on his facebook.  His signature is bare-metal tanks and modern (usually inverted) front ends.  Pretty awesome work and pretty much exactly what I want :-)
But anyway, he's nickel plating his now instead of clear coating - keeps the bare metal feel and still won't rust.

Good luck!

[lone*X]

Copper plate it.  Then let it patina to a nice green.  Just wipe it down once ever few months.

[vames]

http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm

Awesome stuff. Not only is it a real two-part urethane, the nozzle is adjustable and better than any other rattle can I've ever seen.

[MoMo]

http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm

Awesome stuff. Not only is it a real two-part urethane, the nozzle is adjustable and better than any other rattle can I've ever seen.

I have read a lot of good stuff about it, from what you say that is all true? ...Larry

[DarcyCB400F]

http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm

Awesome stuff. Not only is it a real two-part urethane, the nozzle is adjustable and better than any other rattle can I've ever seen.

I have read a lot of good stuff about it, from what you say that is all true? ...Larry

+1
This is a true 2K (2 part) urethane clear coat that any body shop could use on any car for clear. It has UV stabalizers and everything else you can expect for a top quality clear where you mix it 4:1 and then spray with a paint gun.
It is what it claims to be!!

[Bamboozler]

I've tried Eastwood's diamond clear over my bare metal tank (3 coats) and had rust blooms a few weeks later within an hour after it was exposed to rain.  If anyone has a method that work's I'm all ears.  From what I've researched via Google there isn't anything out that works well.  The clear needs a base coat to attach itself properly.  Best I've heard is people using periodic applications of WD40 or Boeshield T-9 with a bare metal tank to keep the rust off (how cool to get off your bike with a ring of WD40 soaked into your crotch from your tank..."hey ladies...") haha 

Below are some of the products that I came up with when searching this subject. Nothing really seemed to do the trick.  I'm scheduled to have a friend paint my tank, seat, and side cover in a month or two when he's freed up.  Currently my diamond clear tank is orange from rust blooms from sitting through the winter and I'm going to give it one last ditch effort to prep, diamond clear, and follow up with the dry film Boeshield to see how that protects from moisture.  If it last with good results until my friend is able to work on the bike I'll call him off unit signs of rust occur.  If anyone has a good remedy please post.

XIM, GIBBS. Bulldog Adhesion promoter, Penetrol, Permalac, POR-15 Glisten PC, Boeshield, Picklex20, H.O.C. 

[Blitzburgh207]

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24117&page=4
This is where I fell in love with the bare tank (:
This guy just uses wd40 and chain wax I guess.

[Nortstudio]

I'm thinking about this same move, bare tank and looking for answers.  I got some good clear (SprayMax 2k) thinking it would be best, but now I'm not so sure.

I have read a few different things online talking about the WD-40 trick, but having just gotten rid of the duct taped seat, and the glue that would be on my pants, I am not dying to have oil on my pants

If the clear is not best, is there some type of car wax that would work?  I read the thread on the streetfighter sight about the chain wax.  Funny thing is, all I've read about chain wax is that it is not as good as lube in the rain.

Hmmmm.  I think I need to start looking for some of the wax that the pimps all seem to use on their Lincoln Continentals!  That stuff would stop bullets.  And probably does!!!

[sam_watts01]

I have been recommended by someone else to do nickel plating on the tank? What do you guys think about that?

[Nortstudio]

What does that entail?  Is it something you can do yourself???  Off to google for me.

I'm in a decent place right now, because the tank I have is not great, so I thought I could give this a try and then do something different if it doesn't work out (like get a good tank). 

How far along are you on your build?  I am going to give the wax a try and see how it works.  I will report back.

[vames]

Of course, any powder coating shop can do a clear coat as well. Probably the most durable you can get.

[Doctorlumen]

+1 on the Powder Coat. Probably the only way to be sure....

That nickle plate would be sweet, but probably still require a clear of some sort, right?

U-Pol system 20 2-part clear is what I use, and works great on paint sanded to 600. Not sure how it would work on bare metal though. But for $40 a quart including catalyst, you can't really beat it.

At my shop, we coat raw steel (with the scale still on from the yard) with a product called Penetrol from time to time as a finish. Just wipe it on like a wood stain and let dry. Cheap and easy rust preventative that lasts a long time indoors. Not sure about on a motorbike, but worth a shot. It might darken or yellow a bright-sanded tank, but so would WD-40.

Anyway, there is my tiny bit of knowledge. Good luck! And post some results!

[Nortstudio]

I just bought Penetrol!!!!  It's what people swear by for coating the frame - makes dull paint look like new.  That's worth a shot.  Might be better than WD-40. 

Thanks for the tip.