repainting metal tank

[SET THE STAGE]

how could i go about this? i'm not wanting to powdercoat because quite frankly, i just don't have the money. otherwise i would do that. are there any certain paints i should use to keep the gas from making it flake off?

maybe list steps on what to do first, second, and so on

[super90]

if your going to paint it OEM color go with PJ1. If you just want black use duplicolor or some automotive paint. Strip all the paint off first. I just used some paint stripper and wire wheel. Then i sanded it with some fine sand paper and used some cleaning solvent to remove any dirt or grease thats left. Then primed it with sandable primer. I sanded that with some very fine sand paper and put a few more coats on until theres no little specks left. Then sprayed the PJ1 on and let dry, then gave it a few more coats. But later i put some good clear coat on it to protect it. Its fuel resistant also.

[SET THE STAGE]

so pj1 paint won't come off if gas is spilled on it? should i use their clear coat too?

[SET THE STAGE]

also, say if i wanted a real bright white, what if i used some sort of paint that wasn't OEM matched but i used PJ1's clear coat. would it stay as long as i do about 2-3 coats of the clear?

[ClayW]

The canned spray paint may or may not come off. But if you DO spill gas on it the shine/finish will be crap from now on. Thats why rattle can jobs dont hold up. Its not worth the time and effort. If you want it to look nice, you need to use automotive paint. I have done a couple in my time. They stay nice looking forever, regardless of what you spill on them.:beer

[team-red-rider]

clay did u get my pm?

[SET THE STAGE]

The canned spray paint may or may not come off. But if you DO spill gas on it the shine/finish will be crap from now on. Thats why rattle can jobs dont hold up. Its not worth the time and effort. If you want it to look nice, you need to use automotive paint. I have done a couple in my time. They stay nice looking forever, regardless of what you spill on them.:beer

what type of automotive paint do you recommend i use? i'm wanting a nice gloss white

[ClayW]

I use PPG basecoat clear coat automotive paint. Its not too bad a price especially if you go witht he ecomomy line. It looks like glass when your done and you do it right. I just did a 350X tank for Nouseforaname yesterday. White. You can shave in the finish. You will also be able to do the same years from now. Thats my 2 cents.

[ditchmud]

Don't waist your time with spray cans! If your gonna put your effort into it, then do it right. I learned the hard way by doing a real nice custom paint job with ghost flames. It looked real sweet but about 2 months later some gas leaked out the cap and destroyed my work and investment of time/money. spray paints do not have the hardeners that automotive paints have, which makes them able to withstand the thigs a fuel tank on a bike can go through.

[breastman569]

its true you need a two part paint and automotive paint is the only way to go. white is easy because there is only a few shades of white and its cheep.

[Bryan Raffa]

pj1 is gas and oil resistant

[willcamach]

i painted my 250r tank with pj1 and spilt gas all over it first time i filled it up. and it still looks great i did wipe it up right after it happend but it's still nice and shiny.
1st pic is the tank after paint
2nd pic is the tank on the trike just after the gas spill

[bassman]

I used a coat of black gloss spray paint on the frame of my 200, and it looks alot better. But will it come off easy?
Sorry to "hijack" the thread, but I might aswell post it here with the paint section lol.

[Troll 2]

Dang willcamach, your R is looking good.:beer
We used automotive enamel and clearcoat on the R and works well. Good luck on yours:cool:

http://magoos.wheatfarm.com/pictures/picture.php?img=P1013533.JPG&show=full

[breastman569]

i painted my 250r tank with pj1 and spilt gas all over it first time i filled it up. and it still looks great i did wipe it up right after it happend but it's still nice and shiny.
1st pic is the tank after paint
2nd pic is the tank on the trike just after the gas spill

take some brake fulid to you tank and see if it will come off and then report back. thats the real test. it wont touch automotive paint.

[ditchmud]

i painted my 250r tank with pj1 and spilt gas all over it first time i filled it up. and it still looks great i did wipe it up right after it happend but it's still nice and shiny.
1st pic is the tank after paint
2nd pic is the tank on the trike just after the gas spill
The tank I painted was on my street bike and what happened was...I filled the tank up with gas while it was on the centerstand then went straight home and placed bike on side stand. when I came out to go riding about an hour later is when I found the fuel leaking and the paint was blistered and ruined. Stuff like this happens and it really sucks to do all that work and have it ruined because I decided spray cans were cheaper and I could still get an outstanding finish, but it just doesn't have the properties that a paint designed for your application will have. I'm sorry but that's my opinion from my bad experience

[ClayW]

Yeah im with ya. That tank looks good, but that shine is no where near what automotie paint will give ya. When I say its like glass, its like glass. Looks wet. Heres an example. :drool: Notice the persons reflection in the pic. :naughty:

[team-red-rider]

clay what would u charge to paint and seal a custom tank im making for my 110 racer?

[nouseforaname90]

One hundred million dollars.. -puts pinky in mouth-

No but seriously.. automotive paint is the only way to go. It may be more expensive, but it will hold up and it will hold up well. You can put anything on a good 2 part base/clear paint and it won't fade, bubble, or dull. If you use a spray can, it may look good for a few days but its going to dull easily.

[willcamach]

[QUOTE=Troll 2]Dang willcamach, your R is looking good


Thanks troll2 :beer heres a pic of it pretty much all together.
I hear what you guys are saying, and im sure you are correct as far as durability, and shine. However i refused to pay the $150-$200 that the body shops were quoting me for painting the tank, If i had access to a paint gun and compressor i would have gone that route but since i only paid about $20.00 bucks in paint, primer, and sanding paper i could paint the tank 10 times over and still be at less $$$ than what one Auto grade paint job would have cost me. mine is holding up well so far but only time will tell how long it last . :beer