Topic: Removing Kreem - the most difficult project so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nomad]

Of all the stuff I've work on on this bike, trying to remove the Kreem the PO put in the tank is the hardest, dirtiest, most curse word inspiring task yet.

I put several rounds of POR-15 stripper through it (nails mixed in to try and beat this gooey #$%* off of the inside of the tank) and all that's happened is the Kreem turned mushy.  I even came up with a contraption to tumble the tank so the stripper hit every nook and cranny.  If I could reach it with a scraper, there'd be no issue.   What a P.I.T.A.!!!!  I reckon I'll go at it again tomorrow. 

[MoMo]

Nomad,  a friend had a similar problem(fortuneately I never had yet) and used acetone to remove the defective tank sealer. He brought it at Home Depot.  Good luck, that's a nasty job...Larry

[Goofaroo]

I've never had to deal with that either but I've heard horror stories. People will spend $30 on the kit and spend all the time it takes to apply it when for $50-$60 they can take the tank to a radiator shop and have it boiled out and sealed. I've had a few done this way with excellent long term results. Of course if you're trying to salvage the paint job you don't have that option.
If you keep struggling with it and you aren't concerned about the paint then you might run it by a radiator shop and see if they think they can help you with it.

[Terry in Australia]

I like Goofy's suggestion, but I did read an article recently on removing Kreem, I believe they used an industrial paint stripper (air craft stripper?) and rotated the tank as you've suggested, then washed it out with Acetone. Good Luck!

[ekpent]

Acetone would probably work well. I have done one before that had Kreem in it and I used a real watery type,not the thick stuff, of furniture paint stripper that I use in my furniture shop.Try doing that and not damage original paint. I did,came out great but a major PITA.Lots of wet rags and water on the outside in case of a leak But the stripper and a water rinse inside took it right out.Its basically a type of latex.

[Greggo]

I'll be watching this one.  I have a tank for my CA95 that I deemed unusable because of Kreem, but if I can get rid of it...YAHOO!

[TPColgett]

I have been stuck removing a heavy POR15 like sealer that was applied to an un cleaned tank. The heavy Jasco gel paint stripper from Orchard has been my friend >_<

[Don R]

Try the self adhesive plastic sheeting used for drop cloths on new floors during construction to protect your tanks paint. Havent done it yet but thats my plan. I washed and acid cleaned an indian tank and now have 4 more to do.

[nomad]

I washed and acid cleaned an indian tank and now have 4 more to do.

Did you use muriatic acid?  If so, how'd that work?

[nomad]

I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I got a few chunks of it to come out after going at it with several baths of POR-15 stripper and a long screw driver.  But, for the most part, it's still caked on thick down in the corners and generally lightly covering the rest of the tank!  Btw, I discovered the PO had just poured the Kreem right over the rust that was in there!  WTF are/ were some people thinking?

Come Saturday, I'm taking it to the local bike shop and they're going to clean it and re-coat it the RIGHT way!  It'll cost me a couple of hundred, but as I've learned, some things during this process are worth paying the $$$ for to have a professional do it.

[Terry in Australia]

Couldn't you buy a good tank for a lot less than 200 bucks mate? 

[nomad]

Couldn't you buy a good tank for a lot less than 200 bucks mate? 

Perhaps.  But, chances are, you might be buying someone else's problems (known or unknown) and you'd still have to deal with getting it fixed.  Most of the stuff I've seen for sale has dents/ rust to some degree.  At least if I have it done at a local shop, I know it'll be done right... to my liking.  And if it isn't, I'll know who to hold accountable.

[Terry in Australia]

Fair enough mate, but I reckon you could buy a good original tank for half of that, and do the POR-15 (or whatever) liner job yourself.

Sure, it's nice to have someone to blame if it turns to craap, but I honestly wouldn't trust a shop to do it for me, it's a fairly detailed and time consuming job, and shops make their money from doing things as quickly as possible, so there's no guarantee that they'll do it properly either.

And of course, if they do skip a step or two in the process and just pour the liner in over a rusty surface, it won't show for awhile, so you'd have very little comeback (I'd assume) if you complained 6 months or a year after they did the job for you. Anyway, up to you mate, good luck!

[ekpent]

Gotta go with Terry on this one. Have you tried any good quality paint stripper yet,don't waste your time on the "green" stuff get the good stuff that will kill Ya 

[Really?]

Wait until you go through the process of lining the tank with POR15.  What a long tedious and involved PITA that is.  I have done it twice and do not think I ever want to do it again!

Too bad Terry is not near you, the guy is a genius when it comes to that.  He separated the bottom of the tank from the top and media blasted it.  Me very jealous of that.   

There is a guy up north that does something similar but I can't find the link right now.

[Terry in Australia]

Too bad Terry is not near you, the guy is a genius when it comes to that.  He separated the bottom of the tank from the top and media blasted it.  Me very jealous of that.   

Oh Tippy, you're too kind.............. 

[ColinMc]

How long have you let it soak with the stripper inside? The last tank I had to get rid of Kreem in I used aircraft paint stripper, and then filled it with lacquer thinner and let it sit for a full weekend... Nasty fumes though lol.

If you have a car machine shop nearby have them run it through their hot tank. It's like a giant dishwasher for parts. That was the final step that removed the last few remnants of Kreem for me...

[CycleRanger]

Toluene?  Pressure washer?  Fire? 

[Hasenkopf]

yeah, fire....huh, huh, huh......

[nomad]

How long have you let it soak with the stripper inside?

The first (shortest) soak was for 30 minutes.  The last soak I did was for about 6 hours.  All that happened with the POR-15 stripper is that the stuff just got mushy.  The only way that any of it came out was when I scraped at it with a long screw driver.  Even then, that was only the areas that I could reach.

[P_Camps]

so you didn't try acetone???

[nomad]

so you didn't try acetone???

Yep, tried that too.  After the POR-15 stripper failed to get the crap out, I did one round of acetone.  Honestly, I think the POR-15 stripper did more damage to the stuff than the acetone did.

[ColinMc]

what about lacquer thinner like I had mentioned?

Seriously look into having it hot tanked at a local machine shop as well...I have free access to one myself, but I know the guys in the shop do small stuff for people all the time for cash in their pocket...10 bucks or whatever. They just put it through the same time they do an engine block or head or something.

[nomad]

what about lacquer thinner like I had mentioned?

Seriously look into having it hot tanked at a local machine shop as well...I have free access to one myself, but I know the guys in the shop do small stuff for people all the time for cash in their pocket...10 bucks or whatever. They just put it through the same time they do an engine block or head or something.

No, I didn't try lacquer thinner.  At this point, it's time for me to let the pros fix it (if I can't soon find a replacement tank).  The motorcycle shop I'll take it to has a good reputation and I have total confidence that they can get it straightened out.

I'm still looking around for a good used tank though before taking mine to them.  I'll keep an eye out in the usual places for the next week or two to see if anything turns up at a decent price.

[OneWheelDrive]

I just found a radiator shop by me (Advanced Radiator in Escondido) that quoted me $50 to burn the tank, removing all remnants of Kreem and exterior paint, then apply Redkote to permanently seal the inside, and apply primer to the exterior.  I think that's worth every dollar when compared to the headaches you've gone through. 

[CycleRanger]

And they laughed when I suggested fire....   

[ColinMc]

I just found a radiator shop by me (Advanced Radiator in Escondido) that quoted me $50 to burn the tank, removing all remnants of Kreem and exterior paint, then apply Redkote to permanently seal the inside, and apply primer to the exterior.  I think that's worth every dollar when compared to the headaches you've gone through. 

I'd do that...but skip the red kote sealer...blegh...that's just me though.

[OneWheelDrive]

Problems with Redkot?  I think there would be a big difference between a home applied job and a professionally prepped job.

[nomad]

Well, I found what looked like and was described as a pretty good tank (no dents/ no rust inside) on ebay.  Assuming it arrives in that condition, my problems appear be over.  The original tank is fairly rusted inside and the paint it #$%*ty on the outside from the stripper running over it.  Someone will get a good deal on it for sure (that's if anyone will want it after reading this thread).

[ColinMc]

I call dibs lol

[nomad]

I call dibs lol

You might want to see some pictures of it first before you start the line. 

Seriously though, this might be a good tank for someone with more patients than me who wants to practice banging knee indents into a tank, or for someone who wants to cut it apart, sand blast it and redo it that way.  Hell, if nothing else, it'd look cool re-painted and hung on the wall for decoration. 

[Goofaroo]

I just found a radiator shop by me (Advanced Radiator in Escondido) that quoted me $50 to burn the tank, removing all remnants of Kreem and exterior paint, then apply Redkote to permanently seal the inside, and apply primer to the exterior.  I think that's worth every dollar when compared to the headaches you've gone through.

That's the ticket in my opinion. I've had great results having that exact process done. I understand that part of the challenge and fun of doing a build is doing it yourself but sometimes you just have to let go. That will be $50 well spent. 

[whdtt]

Nomad, I was in the same boat.  The PO of my bike did the same thing...I would have rathered he poured tar than Kreem.  Jeezus, what a nightmare.  To compound the problem, I was resigned to do the whole POR15 process in our guest bathroom.  Wifey wasn't happy.  Oh well, better to as forgiveness than permission. 

I did the same as you, and the way the POR-strip instructions would have you believe, it would be 20mins and done.  Nope.  I ended up doing it 4x.  The last 3x I poured nuts/wood screws in, and agitated 1x/10mins for about 2hrs.  I used all of the POR-strip, so went to Autozone and bought the Aircraft stripper.  I would say pretty much the exact same product.  On top of that, both become pressurized with agitation.  I was also high as a kite off the fumes.   I don't have much advise, but if I can do it, I'm pretty sure anyone can. 

I would wholeheartedly recommend the POR-15 tank liner though.  Very good product.   Btw, I see you're in Chapel Hill. I'm over in Durham, but I'm a grad. student over at UNC.  Hell of a game last night!!!