My 350X Tank Resto & Paint Job

[ClayW]

Well I got this tank for metal 350X tank for $40. Had some rust on the inside, and one hellofa dent on the right side. I wasnt too concerned with the dent because I knew I could fix it. Any way here are some pics of my progress. I was able to push from the inside half of the dent out. Problem was that with a little pressure on the side of the tank it would pop back inward. The metal was fatigued. So I poped it out as good as I could, and heated up the side of the tank with a propane torch. Got it good and hot, and wiped it down with a wet rag a couple of times to re-temper the metal. It did the trick. So I then stipped the tank and primed it with PPG HI build sandable primer. Then I got after the dent. I first roughed up the metal so the body filler would stick real good. Then I started filling the dent. Slowly but surely. Took 5 layers to get it right. After I got it really close I laid a coat of primer over it. When it dried, I sanded it and repeated the primeing and sanding 5 times. These steps insured that the body filler would blend in with the rest of the tank. As you can see it came out pretty good. It took me 3 and a half hours to do it. Lot of work, but it was a large area to fix. Im just kindof a perfectionist when it comes to paint and body work and I wanted to make sure that I got the curvature of the tank right. Any way the prime runs about $14 for a quart. It uses the same reducer as the base coat, so it doesnt cost as much in the long run. The reducer is about $15 also. The pint of PPG base ( GM Super White ) paint that I will be using cost $15 also. You mix the primer and the base (white) each 50/50 with the reducer. So a pint of White base will make a 1Qt. That will go a long ways. I can paint 2 whole motorcycles with a QT. Then you have the clear coat that runs about $20 and $8 for the hardner. But what you have to keep in mind is that all of these supplies can be used on MULTIPLE projects. The stuff goes a long ways. Any way. Heres some pics. I will paint the tank white tommorow, and I will post those pics when im done. Let me know if anyone has any questions. I will do my best to answer them. I will have a total of $60 in this tank, and it will look brand new when im done. Oh yeah and gas wont hurt this paint, and decals will stick. :D Oh, and I etched the tanks inside with Acid prior to this process to get rid of the rust.

ClayW :beer

[kilabeez0]

wut did u use on the inside of the tank?

[ClayW]

I used Muratic acid for about 6 minutes. It ate ALL the rust real quick like. Then I dumped some baking soda into the tank and filled and rinsed it out real well. The baking soda neutralized that acid.

ClayW

[smokinp]

cool :beer

[atcmatt]

Looks good Clay. What did you use to strip the tank? I used paint stripper but i still cant get all the paint off, i really need to get it painted...I have a few little dents in mine also and i think i will fill them with some BOG. Your tank sure came out well, i hope mine comes out half as good as that!!!

Matt

[kilabeez0]

when u filled it with baking soda, did u fill it with water and baking soda? and how long did u let it sit for with the baking soda?

and as far as paint stripper goes, the little bit of paint u have left, dont be lazy and sand it :)

[ClayW]

Yeah, I put about 4 table spoons or more of baking soda and then filled it 3/4 of the way up and sloshed it around for a few. Then drained it and did it again. The baking soda should neutralize it on contact. Just make sure you wash it out good. You dont wont baking soda to stay in the tank. Well It look like its going to be a nice day. So I will definately be painting it today.

ClayW :beer

[BLAZERONE22]

Great job!!! I wish I had the patience to do body work.

[trikerider2oo7]

looks nice...wanna do mine?? lol

[ClayW]

Well guys I got it done. Hear are some of the pics. The dull looking one is with just two coats of the base white. The others are with the clear coat. I put 5 coats of white base, and 4 coats of clear coat. Sorry for the pic quality it was dark when I finished up. I also sanded down and clearcoated my headlight shroud, and swingarm. I also included a pic of my 87 Big Red tank all finshed up. :D I may be willing to fix up some of your tanks, if you will pay me for my supplies and some of my time. Im not looking to make a fortune. Also, I dont want to deal with any rusted out turds. LOL. They are very hard to make pretty. All I would ask is for you to be patient. Im out of town some times and I paint outdoors so weather comes into play. :beer

ClayW

[MTS]

wow thos look like it turnd out real nice...about the muratic acid and the bakin soda...i thought just water diluted the acid..least when i use it all i use is water and it works lickty split and no extra cleanin and stuff :P my 0.2 cents

[ClayW]

Yeah your right, But I just wont to be sure. LOL. Dont wont my tank and especially my carb experience any acid. Just a precaution.

ClayW

[MTS]

yea i know what ya mean lol be kinda funny ridin along and all a sudden you have gallons of gas pissn out the side of the tank :P

[atcmatt]

Jeeez Clay you sure know how to do some hi quality work, and make me jealous of your bigred at the same time ;) Multiple talents!

Very nice, im trying to find a paint shop to paint my tank, tripple trees and side panels, but no luck so far.

Matt

[ClayW]

Thanks Matt. I will try and post som pics of the tank in the daylight so you can see the finish better. It is like GLASS. Turned out real good. If you lived state side Matt I would fix you up. Thanks for the Props.

Clay

[clong]

On the muratic acid I was told that when you use it on the inside of a tank you want to take the peacock off cause the acid will destroy it. I also heard you want to mix the acid 50/50 with water. I never heard of using baking soda but most people I hear wash out the acid with acetone, then fill with gas to the top.

Nice looking tanks everyone. I'll post a pic of my resto on my 200X tank.

[Glenn J]

Nice job! Did you seal the inside of the tank?

[ClayW]

No I didnt bother sealing it. I did my Big Red tank by the book and it still came loose 6months down the road. Waste of time and money in my book. That RED KOTE stuff John uses supposedly does a good job. Yeah I use the baking soda to neutralize the acid. It does it instantly. I have even drank baking soda and water for bad heartburn when no antacid was available. Instant releif. Acetone wont neutralize acid. It will make the water evaporate off real fast. And yes muratic acid will destroy your petcock. I learned this the hard way. But I have plenty of back ups. LOL.

Clay

[clong]

What are you guys referring to when you say sealing it? Are you talking about the inside with that Kreem stuff? Too expensive. Its like $30. I herad as long as you keep it full of fuel it won't rust.

I agree with Baking soda to neutralize the acid but even if you just used water alone to wash it out it will get rid of all the acid and you should be good. The acetone is really used to get any moisture out of the tank to prevent any condensation in the tank should you not keep the tank totally full.

[ClayW]

Yeah im out on spending $30 on a Kreem Kit. They are crap.

Clay

[Glenn J]

What's a good sealer kit? The inside of my tank has a bit of scale in it. One of the previous owners didn't ride much and the gas absorbed a bit of moisture.

[clong]

You don't need to seal it unless you patched some holes.....then use the over priced Kreem product. If its just some surface rust put some muratic acid/water 50/50 in it and wash it around for 20 mins and rinse out with baking soda/water and then with acetone. Let dry for 30 mins with cap off and fuel petcock. Be sure to take the pet off casue the acid will eat aluminum. Then when your all done put it all back together and fill to the top with fresh gas. As long as you have full gas in it, it won't rust again.

[kilabeez0]

i think i have holes :( i can see moisture on the outside of my freshly sand blasted tank. so lets say i fill it with muriatic acid, rinse it with water, i'll still need to kreem it to seal the holes correct?

and when you rinsed it with water how long after did you paint it, and then how long did you fill it with gas? Because if you wait a day or two in between putting gas in it while you paint it, wont the rust come right back?

[clong]

Correct. If you have holes, check into that product "Kreem". Most motorcyle shops have it. That is a 3 part kit that contains the sealer you most likely need. Don't bother buying the muratic acid separatley becasue if your going to buy that Kreem kit, it comes with acid.

After acid washing my tank, I rinsed it with water and then with acetone. The acetone gets rid of moisture and will evaporate dry. I only let it sit 30 mins then I started painting. I took 2 days painting it and it didn't rust in that time frame. I did however spay a light mist of wd40 in there while I was working on the esterior painting. By the 3rd day I had it full of gas and it looks great today. I never washed out the wd40. It just dilluted with the gas. Everything is good now. That was 3 months ago.

[trikerider2oo7]

if it is a small hole you dont need kreem...i have some stuff made by permatex that you drain out the gas, pinch off a piece of clay lookin stuff and put it over the hole, and then let it dry...i put some on my big reds tank and it seems to be holding up well. it has been on there for about 3 years and it still has yet to leak anymore

[ClayW]

Yeah I painted the day after. Fixing the holes can be done many different ways. Its just deppends on how you wont to do it.

[kilabeez0]

well apparently the previous owner did a bondo job with JB weld, and a brass like strip of metal. i dremeled the crap out of the bottom/sides because it was all lumpy with weld. i might have taken a bit too much off in spots and i can see a bit of gas moisture spots. Also, I think i'll have to go the Kreem route because most of the moisture spots are from areas i cant get to, such as on the very bottom in the rear where the mounting holes are, the big piece that is welded on. There is moisture all around that piece.

[Glenn J]

You don't need to seal it unless you patched some holes.....then use the over priced Kreem product. If its just some surface rust put some muratic acid/water 50/50 in it and wash it around for 20 mins and rinse out with baking soda/water and then with acetone. Let dry for 30 mins with cap off and fuel petcock. Be sure to take the pet off casue the acid will eat aluminum. Then when your all done put it all back together and fill to the top with fresh gas. As long as you have full gas in it, it won't rust again.

No holes, so I'll give the muric acid a shot. Thanks for the tips. I appreciate it. Hopefully, fresh gas and dry gas will keep the rust out.