Tank

[Guest]

Can't wait to see it on the bike, just got to let it set, flat and polish.


Image0321 by EvilEnfield, on Flickr


Image0319 by EvilEnfield, on Flickr

Sorry, I have no idea how to rotate the pictures.

[rustybronco]

Rotate your picture it in a program like photoshop then re-upload it.

What process and materials did you use to paint it with?

[EvilEnfield]

First off, after watching Mythbusters last week about cola de rusting, I filled the tank with cheapo cola, let it sit for 24 hours emptied most of it out, then put a bunch of nuts, bolts and fish tank gravel in, shook it about for ages, and then spent just as long fishing out the gravel, gave it a good rinse out then swilled a load of celly thinners around it to try and evaporate off any remaining water.

I coated the whole outside in paint stripper, stripped all the paint off, filled and sanded the little pin holes under the badges with chemical metal, I think 'plastic padding' brand, sealed inside the tank with petseal.

Scuffed it all with 240 grit, 1 coat of grey high build primer, 1 coat of white primer, sanded smooth with 240 the 600 wet and dry, another coat of white primer, wet sanded to 600, masked rattlecan bright white over the centre, let set for 24 hours.

Used big old belt drive compressor, probably 50 litre, binks bullows gravity gun, 1.6 tip as that's all I have.

Masked off the stripe, 3 coats of 2k primrose yellow basecoat 1:1 with thinners, one light coat, two medium, let it flash 15-20 minutes between coats, remove masking tape and replace with 1/2" black coach line vinyl tape, 3 coats of 2k clear coat, 2:1 Hardener and 10% thinners, one light coat, one medium, one medium heavy.

Now I've got to wait until tomorrow when I'll hit it with 1500 wet and dry, then rubbing compound to a nice smooth shine, then I will manage to negotiate my way around the side gate, try to bounce it over the little wall before the driveway and then drop it on the concrete. Nevermind.

Thanks for the rotation tip.

[EvilEnfield]

I forgot, after I stripped the paint I used the back of the bare tank to make a fibreglass mold for the seat cowl when I eventually get round to making it.

[rustybronco]

Sounds like a nice and durable paint job. It hurts a bit to see people go through all that work prepping and painting it to find they used lacquer paints.

[EvilEnfield]

Sounds like a nice and durable paint job. It hurts a bit to see people go through all that work prepping and painting it to find they used lacquer paints.

Been there, done that, won't do it again. On my first bike, lovely black over silver tank, first drip of fuel, wiped it off along with a big swathe of paint, I nearly cried.

[rustybronco]

Used big old belt drive compressor, probably 50 litre, binks bullows gravity gun, 1.6 tip as that's all I have.

That size tip is what I used when painted my 78 Honda. Thin the paint as you already did and crank up the pressure.

[nvr2old]

Looks great so far, but I gaurantee the paint will start to peel back around the gas filler if you don't seal it off. Ask me how I know.. In fact, I would sand the entire filler opening back to bare metal until it meets the top of the tank, and then seal off that paint edge with a thin band of JB Weld or Liquid Steel. You can see an example in the "Tips" section.

[MisterCinders]

That tank looks sexy. If only you used a thicker, purple line to set off the white stripe . . .

[EvilEnfield]

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking about that filler hole problem and trying to find something to cut and fit in the recess, not figured it out yet. MisterCinders, I thought your lines were black, my monitor probably isn't quite up to scratch, wish I hadn't confessed to copying your scheme now, could've got away with claiming it as my own.

[GateKeeper]

nice....

[MisterCinders]

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking about that filler hole problem and trying to find something to cut and fit in the recess, not figured it out yet. MisterCinders, I thought your lines were black, my monitor probably isn't quite up to scratch, wish I hadn't confessed to copying your scheme now, could've got away with claiming it as my own.

LOL. Yours came out much better than my tank. I would not even post pics of my work up close - too many visible sins in the finish.