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Thread: Red Kote or Caswell Tank Liner

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71

    Red Kote or Caswell Tank Liner

    I'd like to line my fuel tank on my 1983 ATC 185s and looking at either going with Red Kote or Caswell. Any of you guys have experience with either one of these liners? If so how did you like them and are they still holding up well without any issues?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    ohio
    --
    1,749
    Well I have used the caswell in a plastic Bw350 tank that had a crack in it. It worked good and sealed it up I only wish I ordered the bigger kit cause it didn’t coat the bottom of the tank like wish it would have, it got stiff before it covered everything. But the bottom of the plastic 350 tank isn’t like most metal tanks there is a lot more hills and valleys verses the flat bottom steel tanks. The caswell stuff isn’t cheap but you can order it in different colors. So if you have a inside of a tank that is really clean you could use the clear stuff and it would look close to oem. Verses being red or white with the other guys stuff but that’s my .02
    If its on the internet its got to be true they can't put any lie's on the internet

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Thanks, I just purchased some Red Kote so will give that a try and see how it works.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Canada
    --
    99
    I use no coating, as many of those flake off eventually, making a nasty mess. I vinegar soak the tank for a while (week, etc.), then neutralize it. I put some 2-stroke oil in the tank to prevent flash rusting, and then use the tank normally. Really no need for coatings I've found.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Needed the coating due to pin holes in the tank. However it doesn’t seem like I did a great job with the Red Kote. Keeps puddling in certain areas which is a no no due to it will not dry. Might have to try and find another tank or just buy a plastic one. Kind of bummed out about it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Canada
    --
    99
    You could weld or solder the pinholes, or use a tank sealant on the exterior in those areas.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Seemed like the more I cleaned the inside the more pin holes popped up. Figured using a good tank liner like Red Kote would do the job but looking like I ruined it. Some areas have real thick layers of the coating and just sure they will fully cure.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,196
    A tank with rust holes has to be lined. Even if all the holes are brazed closed there are other thin spots just waiting to open into holes. It's just a matter of time before that happens and new paint is ruined.


    From the Damon webiste http://damonq.com/TechSheets/Red-Kote.pdf

    "All problems are correctable by stripping out the Red-Kote with M.E.K. or acetone and recoating."


    It's an expensive mistake, so it's advisable to make certain it's done right the first time. Red Kote has to be babysat through the whole process. That means unless someone has a rotomold machine to strap the tank to they're going to have to manually turn it by hand, constantly, while pouring out the excess, until it gets the first thin coating.

    The thick areas won't cure. The top layer forms a boundry where the coating underneath will remain soft.

    Attempting one thick coat is possibly the most common mistake when applying Red Kote. Done correctly, it's a long and tedious process, then when done for final curing, I wouldn't even think about putting the tank into service sooner than a week.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    What’s the process on stripping it out with acetone?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Are any of the aftermarket plastic tanks good to use?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,196
    You're making it hard on yourself. Stripped the failed attempt out and start over. With a little searching on YouTube you'll find videos to help you strip it out, there's no need in waiting for a response here.

    The Chinese plastic tanks on Ebay/Amazon work fine. I think they ruin the looks of the trike though, and now you'll have that vent tube to stick up and look out of place instead of the clean look of the OE vented metal cap.

    I've used Red Kote on cars, motorcycles, and ATVs and never had a problem. Some tanks I've lined I still have 10-15 years later without any issues. It's a quality product that takes patience and thoroughness to use. You could try practicing with some red food coloring in cooking oil to learn what you need to do to make certain you're moving the tank properly to coat everywhere and not allowing it to pool in the corners. It's easier to add more than drain out the excess. That's much less expensive than having to do it over.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Thanks. I feel like the main mistake I made was by adding too much Red Kote and trying to get it all drained out was not as easy as I thought. I poured in about 75% of the can, maybe I’ll try about half of that this go around.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    illinois
    --
    1,763
    KBS Coating is hands down the Best.. its silver color to match the inside of the tank unlike red kote.. looks factory if you do it right..

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,196
    Directions from the KBS website:

    "2) Carefully pour entire contents of can into tank and slowly rotate and roll tank until all sides are evenly coated. Patiently work with sealer for up to 30 minutes. Please note that our Tank Sealer is formulated for use as a single thin coat application so make sure you take the time to thoroughly coat the entire tank well paying particular attention to leaky weld seams & pinholes for optimal coverage & seal.

    3) IMPORTANT: After a thorough coating inside of tank, patiently DRAIN ALL EXCESS SEALER from tank until it no longer drips sealer. Additionally, to avoid puddling and pooling of excess sealer inside the tank, rotate the tank side to side every 5 minutes. This step is especially IMPORTANT if design of the tank makes complete draining difficult. This additional rotating of the tank will help minimize excess accumulation in any single area, and result in a slightly thicker coating on ALL walls inside the tank. Foaming and bubbling are signs of excessive Sealer accumulation and gas entrapment due to ineffective drainage. In some cases, this may cause the Sealer to not cure/adhere properly and eventually break loose. Be aware that if this situation should occur, the only recourse is to strip the tank and repeat the process."

    https://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-se...irections.html

    Also from their website, a fix-it guide in case the sealer doesn't cure/adhere properly. https://www.kbs-coatings.com/fix-it-...nk-sealer.html

    Their fix for a failed application is also to strip it out and start over.



    That's the same issues as with applying several of the single stage tank liners. No matter the brand, it's all about prep and proper application. Lining tanks with a pour-in product isn't a apply and walk away process, it's time consuming and tedious. I don't want to give anyone the idea that a certain brand is easy; they're not.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Thanks. I plan on stripping it next week and trying it again. Will use much less red kote and work it around for much longer. Will have to do it on a weekend so I can have all day working it around throughout the day and doing a better job at draining as much as I can out.

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