Want to paint tecate fuel tank...but have some questions

[VenomRS4]

I am sick of having a brown gas tank on my Tecate so I want to paint it. But I have a few questions. Where can I get Kawasaki green paint? Also, how am I going to keep the paint from bubbling/chipping off? It seems like that's a problem with painted t3 tanks. Maybe coat it with gasoline resistant clear coat? Ideas?

Thanks

[JohnR.]

The only way to keep a plastic tank from bubbling/peeling if you paint it is to never put any fuel in it again. You're better off getting a green tank cover for it. There is a company that makes them but I can't remember who it was. I'm sure one of the Tecate guys will chime in with the info.

John

[brapp]

i belive its dc plastics on ebay check them out.

[chris200x]

They say you can redcote the inside.. but I've never seen redcote stick to a plastic tank.

better off with the cover from DC plastics. Ceet also makes a cover.

All the info is in brapp's thread here:

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=93753

[fabiodriven]

Paint + plastic = mess.

[Autophysn]

Paint + plastic = mess.


I agree, you may be better off finding a green tank, then go from there. If you can find a used one, you can probably have good success cleaning it up using Billy's Mother's tecnique. ;) Good luck

[firefirefire90]

is it literally the inside of the tank that has gone brown? Or the outside

[chris200x]

The gas fumes penetrate the plastic. That brown stain is all the way through the plastic. no amount of sanding or polishing is going to remove it. a cover is really the only way.

[scooterroo]

line the tank with redcote, thats what i did. try going to your local kai dealer and see if they have some kawi green spray paint, i know mine carries it. but i didnt find that out till after i painted mine already. instead i used some flat white as a prime coat, then went over that with some flat bright yellow, and finally hit it with some grabber green by i believe dupont, and then clear coated it. been that way for two years now, not one bubble, isnt peeling, and decals are still on my tank. dont let people tell you uyou cant do it cuz you can. 30 something bucks for redcote, 75+ for a dc tank cover. i like the dc covers as well though... they look just as good. depending on the year tank. i dont like the 86/87 cover with the built in shrouds.... just ugly in my opinion.

[ScottZJ]

Personally I would go with a tank bra, as it would cost you alot less than a really nice paint job and alot less trouble. For around 60$ you thro that bra on and you are done.

[factoryX]

somebody did a dyeing color onto tanks...http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=611365

[JohnR.]

Its great to hear that the redcote works so well. I have a 250R short track tank that is cosmetically like new but leaks fuel out of where one of the mounting brackets is molded in. My only concern with painting it would be if something does go wrong and it peels or gets scratched up, you will have a hard time stripping the paint off without damaging the plastic tank. I think that would be reason enough for me to go with the cloth/vinyl tank cover.

John

[Tecate 50]

Scooterroo.....whats the secret? How many times has fuel been in the tank? Do you drain the tank after riding? Those methods have been attempted by pretty much every Tecate owner on the planet with "NO" success. I would have to see it, to believe it. Maybe at Trikefest 2009. Your trike does look sweet....do you ride it often?

[T3 LOPES]

Scooterroo.....whats the secret? How many times has fuel been in the tank? Do you drain the tank after riding? Those methods have been attempted by pretty much every Tecate owner on the planet with "NO" success. I would have to see it, to believe it. Maybe at Trikefest 2009. Your trike does look sweet....do you ride it often?

Correct me if i am wrong, but i dont think he has had them running yet. Im sure he has tested the tanks . I know a few people that have had there plastics painted on there atvs and all of them have issues . Im no expert but i would never paint plastic.

[chris200x]

Its great to hear that the redcote works so well. I have a 250R short track tank that is cosmetically like new but leaks fuel out of where one of the mounting brackets is molded in. My only concern with painting it would be if something does go wrong and it peels or gets scratched up, you will have a hard time stripping the paint off without damaging the plastic tank. I think that would be reason enough for me to go with the cloth/vinyl tank cover.

John

MY buddy discovered a great way to remove paint from plastics (not that I'd do this with a ST tank) but you spray it down good with oven cleaner and stick em in a garbage bag all nite. the paint washes right off (most of it) with a garden hose. This even worked well on multiple layers of paint.

[big specht]

Does any body have a pic of one of those tank covers installed?????

[ScottZJ]

Well I know mine is an 87 tecate but here is a tank bra installed. Just call CEET and ask for Tony and he will take care of you.

http://www.fototime.com/{CEB2551F-E6CC-4831-9E3E-407EBCBA638B}/picture.JPG

[scooterroo]

can also check into these guys tank lining epoxies.....works on plastic!!!

http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm


my 85 is 90 percent done. i had my tank on digity x's old t3 for the whole winter of 07 to test the lining, and the stuff holds up well. i have had my 85 fired up a few times while building it, and there is still a half tank of gas sitting in the tank. still no peeling.