Removing tank liner

[Guest]

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.

[gsgeezer]

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.

[gsgeezer]

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

Sounds good!