Best way to strip paint from tank

[jsandidge]

What is the best way to strip old paint from a tank? Chemicals, sanding, sandblasting? I want to go to bare metal.

 

[Agemax]

sand blasting is the most effective, least messy and least amount of effort involved. A quick flat down with wet and dry after and its the perfect key for fresh paint. No chemicals or stripper to possibly contaminate and react with new paint.Instantly shows up any flaws on the tanks surface as well.
I am not a sprayer but i get my tanks sand blasted before painting.

 

[Guest]

I am not a sprayer but i get my tanks sand blasted before painting.

No issues with deformation so far? Sandblasting thin metal often distorts it because the blasting peens the one side into compression and bows the metal outwards, towards the side that got blasted.


Mark

 

[Nessism]

I use chemical stripper followed by bead blasting around the nooks and crannies to remove any rust. You can try soaking the tank in phosphoric acid to remove rust as well.

 

[Agemax]

No issues with deformation so far? Sandblasting thin metal often distorts it because the blasting peens the one side into compression and bows the metal outwards, towards the side that got blasted.


Mark

Nope, no problems whatsoever. fine blasted at low pressure so no distortion or peening, or bowing.

 

[JTGS850GL]

I've always used Aircraft brand stripper. Comes in spray can or paint on. You can sand blast but soda blasting is kinder on the metal and is easily washed away without leaving any debris in/around the tank.

 

[Steve]

No issues with deformation so far? Sandblasting thin metal often distorts it ...

If your tank is thin enough to distort with sandblasting, it's going to need much more than just a coat of paint. :-\\\

.

 

[jsandidge]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try soda blasting. It doesn't do much on rust though, so hopefully it looks good under the paint. Could do the phosphorous if needed. Might be a good idea anyway.

 

[Guest]

Nope, no problems whatsoever. fine blasted at low pressure so no distortion or peening, or bowing.

Good to hear. I am painting my bike in spring, I may just blast the tank instead of stripping it then. It would sure be easier and less messy.

If your tank is thin enough to distort with sandblasting, it's going to need much more than just a coat of paint. :-\\\

.

I've seen toolboxes bow out that are thicker material than our tanks, but they are flat sided and fairly large. The tanks do have the advantage of their small size and curved contours.


Mark

 

[chuck hahn]

I use Kleen Strip from Home Depot and then a wire wheel on the die grinder to remove the residual crap. Sometimes I just fire up the bench grinder with the 8 inch wire wheel and do it that way too.

 

[Lorenzo]

I might be late but, why not leave the original paint on and use a filler/stopper to smooth things out and paint over it?

 

[SVSooke]

sand blasting is the most effective, least messy and least amount of effort involved. A quick flat down with wet and dry after and its the perfect key for fresh paint. No chemicals or stripper to possibly contaminate and react with new paint.Instantly shows up any flaws on the tanks surface as well.
I am not a sprayer but i get my tanks sand blasted before painting.

Thanks Agemax,planning to blast my GPz tank.thinking crushed walnut shells might be best though.Some rust areas might need something more aggressive:-k

 

[chuck hahn]

Walnut shells are crap. Go with glass beads and save yourself many hours of frustration from Walnut shells.

 

[SVSooke]

Yes walnut shells are better on stuff like aluminium,was think I'll use my new favorite copper slag at slightly reduced pressure instead.