Plastic Tank Leak Repair?

[JohnR.]

First off, I did a search and read a lot of speculation along with a couple of people who had first hand feedback but only on recent repairs, no long term durability info.

I have a mint short track tank for my R that has been sitting in the basement for about 10 years because it leaks from one of the seams where the aluminum brackets are molded in on the back near the seat. The short track tank I have right now is getting a little rough and I'd like to be able to put the nice one on and maybe restore the old one with some sanding and polishing. Does anyone that has coated the inside of a leaking plastic tank have any info on how it has held up over time? The only thing I found that claims to be compatible with plastic tanks is Caswell Epoxy Tank Sealer (http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm) and I'm willing to give it a try but I'd hate to wreck my rare tank in a failed attempt to fix it.

John

[Thorpe]

Never tired it... With that rare of a tank, I would buy a crappy tank off ebay, or salvage yard and punch a hole in it, and try fixing it before I would give it the go on your shorty tank... Just my $.02

[jeswinehart]

Well John, my tecate plastic tank did not have any holes or wear spot issues. I just wanted reproduction decals to stay on the tank.
That was,,, heck I don't know ,now 3-4 years ago ??? they are still on and no issues with any debris or crap coming loose from inside.
At least I have never had to change the fuel filter i added back then.
I have done several metal tanks including one car tank 3 to 5 years ago and ain't never heard no bad from those fellas and a couple of those folks i see from month to month and/or are board members.
I used redcoat tank liner
So, about 4 years on my lined plastic tank ~ no issues

[JohnR.]

Thanks. That's the kind of info I needed. I'd love to try it on a cheap tank but part of my question was about long term durability and I don't feel like waiting a few years to see if if holds on the cheap tank. It sounds like Red Kote is up to the task though. I don't put pump gas in it, just race fuel so it doesn't have any of the nasty additives that like to attack stuff like that. Now I just have to decide if I'm going to try Red Kote or Caswell. Either way, I do like the suggestion on Caswell's site that you dump a handful of sheetrock screws in the tank (metal or plastic) and shake it around to rough it up for better adhesion. Hopefully some more people will chime in.

Jhon

[jays375]

Caswell is great stuff.At least on metal and fiberglass tanks.It is really durable stuff.Just follow directions and heat the tank up so it flows evenly.I would get in touch with them and ask about plastic.It takes a little more so it
flows good and you get a even coat.You will waste some this way though.This stuff will allow you to save a bad metal tank.

[JohnR.]

The plastic thing shouldn't be a problem. Here's a quote from their web page for the tank sealer:


Permanently Repairs Steel, Aluminum, Fiberglass and Plastic Gas Tanks

Thanks for the tip on warming it up. I've found that same thing to be true with applying paint. I try to warm the paint can up in a pot of hot tap water and sit the part to be painted in front of a small electric heater for a bit before I spray it.

John

[jays375]

I just stick a heat gun in the filler hole.That way the inside is nice and warm.Caswell is really good stuff in my opinon.There is a place right in New York that sells it.

[jays375]

The name of the company is British Tools & Fastners in Lyon New York.

[atc500x]

Plastic can be "weld" with a heat gun.I have weld many tank an fender.I have also completly remold and reweld my CR500AF plastic tank.

[JohnR.]

I have made some repairs to plastic in the past, I actually reattached the filler neck to my waverunner tank by melting it to the tank. The problem is that this is at the bottom of the tank where it will be under fuel whenever the tank has any in it and its a separation between the aluminum and plastic so there's nothing to melt together. I may order some stuff from Caswell next week.

John