Removing tank liner

[yoshisakan]

I have a tank that the previous owner lined with some type of clear epoxy. It seemed to seal okay, but since I'm rebuilding the whole bike, I want to strip it out.

I have tried MEK substitute, no effect whatsoever after soaking for 3 weeks. Now I am trying aircraft remover diluted with water. 1:1. Its been an hour and it doesnt seem to be having an effect on this epoxy either.

Any other solutions to try before just buying a new tank?

 

[tkent02]

Why not just leave it in if it's still working?

 

[Nessism]

Sounds like Caswell's epoxy. Good luck getting that stuff out. Paint stripper full strength might help.

 

[yoshisakan]

Well there was some rust that I noticed getting into the carbs. It wasnt an overwhelming amount, but enough that I don't want to use it with my new carbs. Also, it's about to get a wicked paint job so I want it to be 100%

 

[steve murdoch]

I used aircraft paint stripper that i got at Autozone.
It worked on an old Kreem liner.
I don't know if it would work on your epoxy liner.

 

[yoshisakan]

Its soaking in aircraft remover now, but I mixed it 1:1 with water. Which should be fine, since it doesnt dilute with water, it becomes a mixture, not a solution. It's been soaking over night, so i'll check it out today. After a few hours it didn't seem to have had an effect.

 

[yoshisakan]

Looks like the aircraft remover is starting to work. I'm going to let it soak a few more days.

 

[posplayr]

Looks like the aircraft remover is starting to work. I'm going to let it soak a few more days.

I have used the AC stripper to strip factory powder coat from GSXR wheels. The stuff lifts the coating immediately from the smooth machined surfaces but needs the help of a stainless steel brush for the rough cast portions. Still works very well leaving the clean bare wheel which I clear coated.

You probably can't get a brush in all the areas of the inner tank but some mechanical scrubbing from nuts or screws should help.

 

[yoshisakan]

im going to let it soak for a while, then pour in out. Pour in some apple cider vinegar, screws, and various metal and shake for a while. Eventually ill put it in the drier with just metal and let it polish it.

 

[bwringer]

I'm not sure what's in it, but the POR15 Heavy Duty kit has a stripping chemical of some sort to remove "inferior" liners.

http://www.por15.com/HEAVY-DUTY-CYCLE-TANK-REPAIR-KIT_p_60.html

You can also buy "Por-Strip" on its own.

 

[Nessism]

im going to let it soak for a while, then pour in out. Pour in some apple cider vinegar, screws, and various metal and shake for a while. Eventually ill put it in the drier with just metal and let it polish it.

As someone that's stripped out liners in at least three tanks all I can say is GOOD LUCK!

Full strength aircraft stripper is your best bet. Plan on extensive soaking, rinsing, more soaking, etc. A borescope will help you look inside the tank to see if all the old liner is removed. Derusting is childsplay in comparison. Phosphoric acid "metal prep" is what I use for that task.

First generation GS1100 tanks are not overly difficult to find. I'd just look for a new tank and save a lot of work (and chemicals).

 

[Gregory]

I would be surprised is acetone wouldn't soften and eat the epoxy out.

 

[Guest]

First generation GS1100 tanks are not overly difficult to find. I'd just look for a new tank and save a lot of work (and chemicals).

I think that is a good idea, I don't bother messing with previously abused tanks, especially with tank "liners" that were put in previously.

Maybe if you have something like a '68 Bridgestone and can't find a replacement tank.

 

[yoshisakan]

Well there is next to no rust beneath the liner and it doesn't have any dents. It's winter time anyway, so I don't have much better to do than let it sit with some aircraft remover. Seems to be working so far.

 

[Guest]

Well there is next to no rust beneath the liner and it doesn't have any dents.

Sounds good!

 

[Gregory]

when I removed the kreem liner from my tank I used acetone and wrapped the tank so it wouldn't leak on the outside... no such luck...had to repaint the tank outside too.

 

[shinzon1]

I spilled some brake fluid on my garage floor that had an epoxy coating on it one time, and with in a matter of minutes it had begun to peel the coating off the concrete. Might help if it is an epoxy liner.

 

[Sandman900ss]

Wonder how this turned out, it's a common problem. New tank?
You said at first MEK "substitute", don't know what that is exactly. I've used straight MEK to dissolve Kreem with no problems.

 

[chuck hahn]

REAL MEK is no longer available. The new stuff has the "known to California to cause cancer" stuff that actually made it work removed. Basically its MEK thats been neutered.

Kreem is a far cry from Caswell or POR15 too.

 

[Gregory]

Acetone will take about anything off. I know it makes creem fall apart quickly. The only thing about acetone is that it will evaporate faster than MEK.