Topic: bare steel gas tank... coating options?

[strawhouse]

Just wondering about what type of coating should be used on a bare steel gas tank to prevent it from rusting?  Also the coating would have to be gas resistant in case of a spill.  Is clear coat an option?  Or what else might work?

[ekpent]

I have sprayed Dupont 380's clear over lots of items,love that stuff.

[Kong]

All bare metal should be sanded with 80 grit (for tooth), cleaned, and immediately shot with epoxy primer.  Use no substitutes and for goodness sakes do no use an "etching primer"  Epoxy, nothing else. 

On edit: Once you've got it sealed you can use anything you want on top of that.  It its a bare-metal-looking finish you want you can get a better looking and much more durable one by painting it on rather than coating the bare metal itself.

[nomad]

I've recently started considering a product called Gun Kote to use on my frame/ engine when I get to that point in the build.  This stuff is suppose to be tough as nails, easy to keep clean and resistant to all kinds of chemicals.  HOWEVER... like I said, I have yet to reach that point in my build so I have no first hand knowledge of the product that I can share.  All I can tell you is that so far, I've been impressed with what I've read about it.

http://www.kgcoatings.com/protective-coatings/2400-series-gun-kote/

From what I've seen, it may work well in your situation.  It comes in a gloss clear (2409), a satin clear (2409S) and a flat clear (2409F) finish.  You'll find these under the "choose color" option below the product picture and description.  You might want to give them a call, tell them what you're wanting to do and see what they say.  If it won't work, you've only wasted a phone call.  But, I have a feeling it probably will.

Here's a link to the other thread where I brought this stuff up...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82505.0

[nickandkristy02]

i know this sound crazy but alot of the 2stroke guys that have bare metal pipes coat them with mop-n-glow........yes mop-n-glow

this a pic of one from a 2t forum i get on

[andy750]

Bare polished metal tank:





I used POR-15 Glisten PC to coat it and ended up with rust forming underneath the clear cloat (my fault no doubt when applying it). I have gone back to just polished and its fine. Just needs to be polished now and again.

good luck
Andy

[strawhouse]

Bare polished metal tank:





I used POR-15 Glisten PC to coat it and ended up with rust forming underneath the clear cloat (my fault no doubt when applying it). I have gone back to just polished and its fine. Just needs to be polished now and again.

good luck
Andy

Awesome looking bike!  That is the look that I was trying to get

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Clear satin powder coat!

[gane]

 If you've sanded to bare metal & are going to paint over, zinc chromate is the deal. provides a good "footing," & your'll never have to worry about external blistering. (ps, I did proly a dozen paint jobs before learning old paint & some one elses bondo regardless of age were no win propositions) G

[mrjuanch]

Bare polished metal tank:





I used POR-15 Glisten PC to coat it and ended up with rust forming underneath the clear cloat (my fault no doubt when applying it). I have gone back to just polished and its fine. Just needs to be polished now and again.

good luck
Andy

Hi Andy,

You mean by just polished, keep sanding it until it gets to mirror like finish? Or applying some product and the polish with it? I just finish my tank and wanted to know how to protect it.

[750K]

i know this sound crazy but alot of the 2stroke guys that have bare metal pipes coat them with mop-n-glow........yes mop-n-glow

this a pic of one from a 2t forum i get on

Not crazy at all, liquid floor wax works well to seal bare metal. I know metal workers that used it years ago on projects, you do need to re apply it now and again but that's no different than polishing bare metal.

[calj737]

Running a bare metal tank is a good idea, and waxing it certainly helps protect it. If I might add, you MUST remember to remove the tank periodically and treat the underside for rust prevention too. Else, you will take the tank off one day and genuinely kick yourself.

Some tricks for bare metal: after sanding it down, use ScotchBrite pads stroked in a straight line to provide a beautiful brushed finish. This can remove sanding swirls and provide a uniform finish. You can then apply whatever finish top layer (wax, clear, etc). Simply wiping the metal down periodically with WD-40 will also keep it protected. May make your pants messy if you ride too promptly afterwards though.

Lastly, nickel plating is an outstanding look. Hard as nails, won't tarnish, and produces a beautiful lustre without the shine.

[andy750]

Hi Andy,

You mean by just polished, keep sanding it until it gets to mirror like finish? Or applying some product and the polish with it? I just finish my tank and wanted to know how to protect it.

This is the tank 3 years later:





I dont even sand it anymore. I just use Autosol metal polish (http://www.autosol.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1820) every once in a while and buff it out by hand. Probably would be shiner with a buffing wheel but I dont have one. Probably not perfect up close but it looks good from 5 ft  . The underside is painted on mine so no rust there either.

Good luck
Andy

[knowsnothing]

Hi Andy,

You mean by just polished, keep sanding it until it gets to mirror like finish? Or applying some product and the polish with it? I just finish my tank and wanted to know how to protect it.

Initially it was just protected with a light coat of carnuba wax.  I guess he is using autosol now to keep it looking pretty.  I would still wax it every once in a while if it was me.....*cough* Andy *cough*.....

[mrjuanch]

Wow awesome buddy, thanks so much. Here's mine


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[andy750]

Hi Andy,

You mean by just polished, keep sanding it until it gets to mirror like finish? Or applying some product and the polish with it? I just finish my tank and wanted to know how to protect it.

Initially it was just protected with a light coat of carnuba wax.  I guess he is using autosol now to keep it looking pretty.  I would still wax it every once in a while if it was me.....*cough* Andy *cough*.....

Maybe it really needs a repeat buff to match the shiny chrome airbox waiting to go on it 

[atm cycles]

On my f3 I had few years ago I used wax on a 0000 steel wool. Did try wd-40 once but didn't care for it because it left a rainbow look to it. Most people would think it was aluminum.  Don't know where this bike is now. Last I knew it was in PA
Only one I truly miss.


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[ncstatecamp]

They've come a loooong way with powdercoats. The brush with scotchbright the PC clear, or they make polished aluminum PC that looks hella good too.

[Powderman]

I did this one in a gloss clear powder coat for a member on another forum.

[atm cycles]

Now I know why you are powderman. Great looking work!! Wondering ? Do they make PC that would look like color anodized?

[Powderman]

Now I know why you are powderman. Great looking work!! Wondering ? Do they make PC that would look like color anodized?

The finish of anodize is wholly dependent and the finish of the metal before anodizing. If you part is brushed aluminum your anodize will be brushed in that color. If the part is polished it will be a polished anodize look. We have some flat anodize colors in red and blue. I think the sample pic could be brighter if the aluminum bottle were polished first, but it would still be a flat color:



If they ever develop a powder that looks like the Gold anodize we see on so many bikes I'll be able to make some serious money.

[atm cycles]

Now I know why you are powderman. Great looking work!! Wondering ? Do they make PC that would look like color anodized?

The finish of anodize is wholly dependent and the finish of the metal before anodizing. If you part is brushed aluminum your anodize will be brushed in that color. If the part is polished it will be a polished anodize look. We have some flat anodize colors in red and blue. I think the sample pic could be brighter if the aluminum bottle were polished first, but it would still be a flat color:



If you could do polished Gold you would get some of my $$. On the flat colors if you did gloss clear over it would it make color gloss?

If they ever develop a powder that looks like the Gold anodize we see on so many bikes I'll be able to make some serious money.

[Powderman]

Now I know why you are powderman. Great looking work!! Wondering ? Do they make PC that would look like color anodized?

The finish of anodize is wholly dependent and the finish of the metal before anodizing. If you part is brushed aluminum your anodize will be brushed in that color. If the part is polished it will be a polished anodize look. We have some flat anodize colors in red and blue. I think the sample pic could be brighter if the aluminum bottle were polished first, but it would still be a flat color:



If you could do polished Gold you would get some of my $$. On the flat colors if you did gloss clear over it would it make color gloss?

If they ever develop a powder that looks like the Gold anodize we see on so many bikes I'll be able to make some serious money.

Took me a minute to find your message in here because you put your reply in the wrong spot. But yes, if you clear coated it it would be glossy. I'd have to run a test sample to see what shading difference it might make. We also have Flat Anodize Purple.

[atm cycles]

I'm a stick & stone kind of guy. Been member here for like 3 yrs & just figured out how to post a week ago


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[Chachi]

I have not done it, but I've seen most guys strip with aircraft stripper and then just maintain with Boeshield T-9. And some just maintain with WD-40.