Decals on plastic gas tank???

[TatTooL23]

Does anyone know if you can put decals on a plastic gas tank?? I heard that you can't because the fumes from the gas will bubble the sticker. I have an '86 350X and am trying to get it to look original visually so I really want the Honda wings on the tank and not on the shrouds. Let me know if you know any solutions. Thanks.

[AutoXer]

put a tank liner such as redkote or kreem in it and you should be fine

[fabiodriven]

put a tank liner such as redkote or kreem in it and you should be fine

Redkote and Kreem are not made for plastic tanks. There is a product out there called Caswell that is supposedly good for use with plastic tanks. Jeswinehart has done this and could probably elaborate a little more on the subject.

[AutoXer]

sorry for the bad advice .... look into Caswell Fuel Tank Sealer Kit looks to be safe for use on plastic and is a gas tank sealer so should work for you. In my search I also found that if you perforate your decals that will also work. You can do this with a pounce wheel available at a fabric dealer. Good luck

[jeswinehart]

I think the exact wording is "not recomended" for plastic gas tanks, redcoat that is ,,,
For something NOT recomended on a plastic tank, it has held up mighty well on my RED T-3 plastic tank.
3 years now as a matter of fact.
I just replaced my set of aftermarket decals, not because they was bubbling off, they still stuck so well it was dificult removing (flat razor knife on a plastic tank = yikes).
I replaced because one side was tee-totally messed up.

john

[rbaral233]

im assuming, just to clarify for my own trike, you guys are saying to coat the inside of the plastic tank, to stop the fumes from coming through, and not the outside correct?

[AutoXer]

yes ... i saw a post elsewhere that suggested rhino lining the outside .... not my taste but might be a option for some ppl

[honda200x1987]

I would recommend you buy a good oem honda metal tank for your 86 350X if you really want a oem look. Plastic tanks do not have the right look to them and you will not get the stickers to stay. Try eBay or advertise here in the atv classifieds, there should be a member on here with a good oem tank and your bike will be worth more...it is an investment you cannot lose.

[powdiddy]

planned on putting a plastic tank on my 350x.is there anyone with a plastic tank that diddn't cure the inside and not have an issue with the stickers falling off ?.my metal tank needs work and i wanted to black the whole trike out anyway with new plastics.

[atc350xer]

I have a Clarke tank, stickers bubbled and I have to be real careful when I pressure wash :lol:

[83ATC185]

planned on putting a plastic tank on my 350x.is there anyone with a plastic tank that diddn't cure the inside and not have an issue with the stickers falling off ?.my metal tank needs work and i wanted to black the whole trike out anyway with new plastics.

i put new decals on an old XR80 dirtbike tank and they stayed fine until i spilled gas on it a few times. i wouldnt think the fumes would go through the plastic...

[xr132]

i put new decals on an old XR80 dirtbike tank and they stayed fine until i spilled gas on it a few times. i wouldnt think the fumes would go through the plastic...

Ya what about all the dirt bikes with stickers on the tanks like the '80s CRs and RMs? They all had stickers on the tanks from factory

[dcreel]

Ya what about all the dirt bikes with stickers on the tanks like the '80s CRs and RMs? They all had stickers on the tanks from factory

Some of those stickers on the tanks are perforated with small holes to let the gases pass through.

[Woodsrider]

I think in '98 or '99, Honda started perforating their decals for the gas tanks... I bought a new XR200R in '97, and the decals started bubbling after a few months. I went back to the dealer and they told me that the new decals were perforated, but that it was too bad for me....if I wanted a set..I had to buy them....which I didn't.

[powdiddy]

now i'm wondering if i should find someone that will get the dents out of my tank fix any issues it has and paint it without costing me a boatload.or if selling my tank getting a plastic one and replacing my stickers once in a while is the better way to go.would love to keep my metal tank but know its probly not cheap to fix.

[83ATC185]

i got my metal tank refinished(removed dents, sealed, painted, clearcoated) for $40 at a local body shop. the decals for the tank were $35, so not a terrible lot of money. I dont know how much one costs new, but im guessing its more expensive than that

[powdiddy]

well for that money i would do the same thing .guess i might have to ask around.i would be willing to send it out even if it would cost me less than a plastic tank.

[350Xccelerator]

I just bought an xr350r this weekend and the guy put some new decals on the tank and they have alot of bubbles, but the the thing i dont understand is that the xr350r came stock with decals on the tank, What did Honda do to prevent the bubbling??

[Dirtcrasher]

They put a zillion little holes in them to let the gas vapors out..........

[Tri-Z 250]

A resto on a metal tank I believe would be the cheaper way to go. The nice thing about plastic..no dents no rust and sometime oversized from stock to hold more fuel. Remember that comes at a premium $...200 and up in most cases.

[83ATC185]

keep your steel for show, and the plastic for go! :)

[Nightmare]

now i'm wondering if i should find someone that will get the dents out of my tank fix any issues it has and paint it without costing me a boatload.or if selling my tank getting a plastic one and replacing my stickers once in a while is the better way to go.would love to keep my metal tank but know its probly not cheap to fix.

I did all the work to my tank for the 86 200x I have except the paint and clear coat. I had about 286 bucks into it. I know it sounds like alot, but 86-87 200x tanks are nearly impossible to find let alone without rust in them and leaks! So it was well worth it. And the fact my tank looks brand new. I would imagine if you do not do the work yourself, yoou'll have twice as much as I do into repairing it. Why not try to fix it yourself? Buy a stock decal, have the tank painted, put the decal on the paint and then have it cleared. My paint job was 150 bucks. So not to bad. I think its relatively easy to find 350x tank in decent shape compared to 2nd gen 200x tanks. Bondo work is not to bad, just be patient.

[scooterroo]

plastic is pouris. there for the gas kinda penetrates thru the plastic tank. take a look at most tecate tanks, they are discolored a light brownish color after time because of this reason. as the gas penetrates thru the plastic it eats the glue on the back of the decals and ruins them, making them bubble and fall off. same for paint. without lining your take, with redcote, or the lining stuff from caswell, the paint will eventually just fall off. i coated my tank with redcote, had the tank professionally painted, slapped on the decals and the thing still looks the same today as it did the day i got it back from my uncle who painted it. because of the recote!!! line the tank, its not hard to do. and redcotes not expensive either. all depends on you and what you want.