brushed metal tank

Yep two or three. Some are powder coated and some paint
 

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I've got a tank I did several years ago. I just used a 4" grinder with a brass wire wheel attached to remove the paint and then hit it with a scotch bright pad. Just be careful at the seams. For corrosion protection I sprayed it with Gibb's penetrating fluid. Gibb's has a viscosity thinner than water and does not leave an oily film like WD40. I don't have a recent picture but can tell you that after several years it has seen minimal surface rust. This picture is a couple years old but the tank looks about the same. I just reapply about once a year. Check out their website here.

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Started! The po didnt put fuel resistant teflon and ruined the paint making it yellowish crusty flaky poop. Gonna finish stripping it over winter.
 
What about using small rolloc discs (1" ?) to create an "engine-turned" (also called "jeweling" or "fish scale") look? Time consuming, for sure, but you won't see another one! ...well, maybe something like it, but prolly not an Xs650!
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What about using small rolloc discs (1" ?) to create an "engine-turned" (also called "jeweling" or "fish scale") look? Time consuming, for sure, but you won't see another one! ...well, maybe something like it, but prolly not an Xs650!
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i looked at a guy on youtube doing that, but I WOULD EFF it UP!!!

or imagine if just a few were "off" would drive me nutz
 
That is what I used to take the paint off. I used a scotchbright pad on the area to take the swirls out. Takes a bit of time but for the entire tank and fender will be using paint stripper for sure but need to search which is a good one to use.
 
That is what I used to take the paint off. I used a scotchbright pad on the area to take the swirls out. Takes a bit of time but for the entire tank and fender will be using paint stripper for sure but need to search which is a good one to use.

i'm gonna borrow a circular sander but will probably use the heavy duty paint removal stuff as seen in the above youtube.

i have taken finish off several guitars, and it was pretty painless.
 
Look for "airplane stripper". I got mine at Wally Mart, and it works just fine. Messy, but you're done in 15-20 minutes. Put your parts on a bunch of old newspapers, so after you scrape off the mess, you just crumple up the paper, and toss...
 
I found a super cheap set of side covers on ebay and badgeless tank on craigslist and tried the brushed metal experiment over winter.

I used several passes of aircraft stripper on them, then wirebrush, 200 grit sandpaper and scotchbright. I painted the underside of the tank and backsides of the side covers with black gloss rustoleum and I let everythig sit and odxodize for about a month. sometimes I tried experimenting with leaving a wet paper towel on the side panels to see what patterns i would get. Eventually i put a thin coat of boiled linseed oil on everything daily for a few weeks to let it build up. Seems pretty good so far after about 3 months. I leave it street parked and try to keep a cover on it most of the time. Has been fine in the rain uncovered though. I reapply a few coats of oil every few weeks and let the surface progress.
 

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I did it on my original Special tank. I used a DA sander and left some paint on for effect. Add stickers and some 2K clear and done.
I sold it on eBay when I upgraded to a 750 tank. I am still using the side covers which hot the same treatment.
The 2K clear really holds up well to fuel.
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I did it on my original Special tank. I used a DA sander and left some paint on for effect. Add stickers and some 2K clear and done.
I sold it on eBay when I upgraded to a 750 tank. I am still using the side covers which hot the same treatment.
The 2K clear really holds up well to fuel.
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I'll have to use that 2k clear then. loooks perfect!
 
I found a super cheap set of side covers on ebay and badgeless tank on craigslist and tried the brushed metal experiment over winter.

I used several passes of aircraft stripper on them, then wirebrush, 200 grit sandpaper and scotchbright. I painted the underside of the tank and backsides of the side covers with black gloss rustoleum and I let everythig sit and odxodize for about a month. sometimes I tried experimenting with leaving a wet paper towel on the side panels to see what patterns i would get. Eventually i put a thin coat of boiled linseed oil on everything daily for a few weeks to let it build up. Seems pretty good so far after about 3 months. I leave it street parked and try to keep a cover on it most of the time. Has been fine in the rain uncovered though. I reapply a few coats of oil every few weeks and let the surface progress.

looks dope!
 
Thanks! I followed the directions on the can and yes, Spraymax. A respirator is a must. This stuff is toxic.
The girl was a water slide decal which introduces water onto the bare metal. I sprayed a thin coat of the Spraymax first, applied the decal when it dried, and then a misting spray to protect all the decals and finally buried it in 2K. You have to plan well because the shelf life of the 2K is 48 hrs or less. Now, if you zoom in on the pic you might see some rust "veining" which I think looked all right but some may disagree. I was not concerned since I had the 750 tank and this one was just to experiment on. I guess I'm still experimenting since I always planned on doing the bare metal look on the 750 tank too.
 
Look for "airplane stripper". I got mine at Wally Mart, and it works just fine. Messy, but you're done in 15-20 minutes. Put your parts on a bunch of old newspapers, so after you scrape off the mess, you just crumple up the paper, and toss...

Remember to wear gloves, cover your skin, use it outside, probably wear a respirator, etc. Stuff is nasty and works wonders!
 
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