Plastic gas tank adhesive graphics fix(?)

[jonr3]

I just bought a new plastic tank for my L and a set of vinyl adhesive graphics to keep the stock look. I've read before that the graphics will not stick due to gas fumes permeating through the plastic. So, I decided to do a little research.

According to a highly respected gas tank refinishing company, it is true that gas fumes will leech through the plastic pores and destroy the adhesive. Some graphics have small holes punched into them to help release the fumes. This will make the graphics last longer, but they will still eventually fail and turn yellow.

I figured that the best solution would be to have a barrier on the inside of the tank to stop the fumes from penetrating the plastic. After a LOT of researching different tank sealers/liners, I found a product called Phenol Novolac Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer from Caswell, Inc. (http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm) They claim it works well with plastic tanks as well as metal tanks and outlasts everything else. I talked with a company rep about my possible application and he said it would work great.

Since I don't necessarily believe sales reps, I contacted the respected tank refinishing company and asked their opinion. Low and behold, that's what they use. In the 5 years they have been using it, they have not had 1 problem. They also said that this sealer would fix the problem and stop any fumes from escaping. I am now waiting for the sealer to arrive and look forward to trying it. After hearing from an independent frequent user of the product, I'm very confident it will work.

Hope this helps anyone who is thinking about putting graphics on their tanks.?

[martinfan30]

Hey jon, keep us updated. I am very interested in this, and it would make a great addition to the FAQ.

[Kenzo]

looked gud until i saw this...on their website... "Bonds to almost anything except polyethylene. Bonds to Wood, plastic, rubber, concrete, metals."

from Acerbis website spec sheet..."Constructed from durable reticulated polyethylene..."

BUT is may work...i believe the vast majority of "plastic" tanks are made of polyethylene...

keep us updated

?

[jonr3]

looked gud until i saw this...on their website... "Bonds to almost anything except polyethylene. Bonds to Wood, plastic, rubber, concrete, metals."

from Acerbis website spec sheet..."Constructed from durable reticulated polyethylene..."

BUT is may work...i believe the vast majority of "plastic" tanks are made of polyethylene... keep us updated

?

I specifically mentioned the brand of gas tank I bought (Clarke) to the gas tank refinisher (they only do motorcycle tanks by the way) and he said that it will work. ? I guess time will tell. I'll post again once I do the application and later to tell how it holds up. Wish me luck!

[Itchykawa]

I specifically mentioned the brand of gas tank I bought (Clarke) to the gas tank refinisher (they only do motorcycle tanks by the way) and he said that it will work. ? I guess time will tell. I'll post again once I do the application and later to tell how it holds up. Wish me luck!

Ok - GOOD LUCK BRO!!! Keep us posted. If this works lots of people will be interested I am sure.?

[scalejockey]

I did a rusted out tank in 3M brand ec-769(?#) It's used in aircraft tanks and is real "rubbery"I often thought how it might work in plastic tanks?

[Bibleman]

You might want to do a test first! If that stuff comes loose you could plug up your entire fuel system and who knows what it could do to the engine. It could also be difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean out the tanks at that point. If it were me, I'd find a piece (or several different pieces) of plastic, coat them and then soak them in gas for a week or so and see what happens. Just a thought. I'm not being a pessimist and I hope it works well, but I try to live by my own home-made adage "The best way out of a problem is to not get into it to begin with".?

[jonr3]

You might want to do a test first! If that stuff comes loose you could plug up your entire fuel system and who knows what it could do to the engine. It could also be difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean out the tanks at that point.

Yeah, that was my main concern. I'd hate to ruin a new tank or have the crap come loose and clog everything. I thought about doing some kind of test, but even with the worst sealer, it can take many months before there is a problem. The tank refinishing company has not had a single problem since they started using it for over 5 years, so that's good enough for me. I hope...

[jonr3]

You might want to do a test first! If that stuff comes loose you could plug up your entire fuel system and who knows what it could do to the engine. It could also be difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean out the tanks at that point.

Yeah, that was my main concern. I'd hate to ruin a new tank or have the crap come loose and clog everything. I thought about doing some kind of test, but even with the worst sealer, it can take many months before there is a problem. The tank refinishing company has not had a single problem since they started using it for over 5 years, so that's good enough for me. I hope...

[jonr3]

You might want to do a test first! If that stuff comes loose you could plug up your entire fuel system and who knows what it could do to the engine. It could also be difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean out the tanks at that point.

Yeah, that was my main concern. I'd hate to ruin a new tank or have the crap come loose and clog everything. I thought about doing some kind of test, but even with the worst sealer, it can take many months before there is a problem. The tank refinishing company has not had a single problem since they started using it for over 5 years, so that's good enough for me. I hope...

[scalejockey]

I think i've had too much beer..I'm seeing triple!!

[jonr3]

I think i've had too much beer..I'm seeing triple!!

Sorry, I guess I have a stuttering problem that I never knew about...

Sorry, I guess I have a stuttering problem that I never knew about...

Sorry, I guess I have a stuttering problem that I never knew about...

Sorry, I guess I have a stuttering problem that I never knew about...

Sorry, I guess I have a stuttering problem that I never knew about...

????

[ericinmichigan]

How will you apply it to the inside of the tank? Will you only apply it to the area where the graphics will be, or will you try to coat the whole inside?

[jonr3]

How will you apply it to the inside of the tank? Will you only apply it to the area where the graphics will be, or will you try to coat the whole inside?

I will end up coating the whole inside. You mix up the epoxy compound, plug the petcock hole, pour it in, swish it around, and pour out the excess.

[ericinmichigan]

Hmmm...that seems like it would work great, but I can't imagine that you'll be able to avoid plugging up your petcock. You might want to unscrew the petcock and have it completely removed before you do this...just thinking....

I just ordered a new tank for my bike. I called Acerbis and chatted with them - I would love to add some Honda graphics but they said the same thing about the fumes wrecking the decals. Let me know if this works...please keep us posted!

[jonr3]

Hmmm...that seems like it would work great, but I can't imagine that you'll be able to avoid plugging up your petcock. You might want to unscrew the petcock and have it completely removed before you do this...just thinking....QUOTE]

Yeah, the instructions say to remove the petcock or any other fittings, plug the hole(s) with putty or play-doh, then coat the tank. I should have everything next week and will let you know how it works.

[gstt500]

Does anybody know if paint adhesion would be a problem too? for example painting on graphics? I have a 5.8 gal. acerbis

[BMAVERICK]

my company makes hand held lawn equipment like blowers and trimmers....In order to meet 2009 emissions requirements, all of our tanks (high density polyethylene) must be flourinated as a secondary operation. Flourination adds about $1.00 to the cost of each $.06 tank and reduces the permeation to within acceptable levels. I'm sure that in order to meet emissions standards in the states, off road mfg's must be doing the same thing. I know the company that makes our tanks would not do small quantity orders, but you might find someone that would.

[Kenzo]

Does anybody know if paint adhesion would be a problem too? for example painting on graphics? I have a 5.8 gal. acerbis

there wus a guy on the KLR board who panted a plastic tank...used all of the adhesion promoters, primers, etc...painted and clearcoated...looked great BUT i do not know the long term report...?

another guy used a "pounce wheel" (sp?) from a fabric store i believe and made hundreds of tiny holes for his RealTree camo graphics and it worked on his plastic tank...

not only will the vapors remove graphics but ur white tanks will turn a fugy yellow after a few years...?

?

[hawncase]

Am I missing something here? I've got nine years on the graphics on my kx250 with no peeling in sight...I've had them come off other bikes but that seemed more due to cheaper materials used in the graphics or accident/or rider rub which messed them up...

This seems like a solution to a non-existant problem...imo