Tank Prep and Sealer

Gpaws1968 said:
Hay everyone,

What is the best way to take care of the fuel tank, to stop it from rusting, has anyone used the Tank Prep and Sealer from Miks XS, my tank is in good shape just don't want it to go rusty.

https://www.mikesxs.net/red-koter-the-only-real-fuel-tank-sealer-and-liner-1-quart-g.html

​

Click to expand...
If your tank is in good shape, just keep it full of gasoline and run it. No good can come from lining a good tank. Tank Prep & Sealer from MikesXS sounds like a particularly bad idea. Don’t do it!

I’ll have a different answer if your tank is rusty.

Edit: Red Kote is a reputable product. I still have an aversion to solvent based tank liners with modern fuel additives. Just ask @Mailman!
 
Gpaws1968 said:
Hay everyone,

What is the best way to take care of the fuel tank, to stop it from rusting, has anyone used the Tank Prep and Sealer from Miks XS, my tank is in good shape just don't want it to go rusty.

https://www.mikesxs.net/red-koter-the-only-real-fuel-tank-sealer-and-liner-1-quart-g.html

​

Click to expand...
I absolutely agree with Marty (above). If it isn't rusty, leave it alone. Gasoline will preserve your tank. Fill it full when storing the bike.

If it is a little rusty you can "clean" the rust out with various chemicals. Using a sealer has been a nightmare for many owners. :eek:



.
 
Myself, if the tank is in good shape I would seal it, before it gets corroded. Especially if it's not a daily use bike. Modern fuels absorb water which degrades with the ethanol in the fuel into acid. In the UK I have great results with a product called Flowliner. Obviously there's others out there. In my opinion look for a phenol novolac epoxy coating. This is what I use -

https://cwylde.co.uk/flowliner-tanks-coatings/
 
jetmechmarty said:
If your tank is in good shape, just keep it full of gasoline and run it. No good can come from lining a good tank. Tank Prep & Sealer from MikesXS sounds like a particularly bad idea. Don’t do it!

I’ll have a different answer if your tank is rusty.

Edit: Red Kote is a reputable product. I still have an aversion to solvent based tank liners with modern fuel additives. Just ask @Mailman!
Click to expand...
Agreed, don't use anything like that. It'll fail.

The correct coating is a phenol novolac epoxy. An industrial product in use for many years that's now found a use in auto fuel tanks as a result of ethanol in fuel. As with everything, preparation is 95% of a succesful job.
 
Its been a long time said:
Myself, if the tank is in good shape I would seal it, before it gets corroded. Especially if it's not a daily use bike. Modern fuels absorb water which degrades with the ethanol in the fuel into acid. In the UK I have great results with a product called Flowliner. Obviously there's others out there. In my opinion look for a phenol novolac epoxy coating. This is what I use -

https://cwylde.co.uk/flowliner-tanks-coatings/
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, it's not available in California, but looking at the Eastwood site there are some options.

https://www.eastwood.com/paints/gas-tank.html
 
Gpaws1968 said:
Unfortunately, it's not available in California, but looking at the Eastwood site there are some options.

https://www.eastwood.com/paints/gas-tank.html
Click to expand...
The question I would have before trying a coating is, what is the coating made of? If the answer is what I said above, it'll likely be fine. When I was researching this stuff for myself, the conclusion I came to was that it's the phenol novolac epoxy coating that's most likely to work long term. It has been used industrially for many years. The first fuel tank I coated was 3 years ago. I know that's not a long time. But it shows zero degradation so far to 10% ethanol fuel.
 
Its been a long time said:
The question I would have before trying a coating is, what is the coating made of? If the answer is what I said above, it'll likely be fine. When I was researching this stuff for myself, the conclusion I came to was that it's the phenol novolac epoxy coating that's most likely to work long term. It has been used industrially for many years. The first fuel tank I coated was 3 years ago. I know that's not a long time. But it shows zero degradation so far to 10% ethanol fuel.
Click to expand...
This is what we have in the USA.
https://caswellplating.com/epoxy-ga...rsxk78ibAaO7iH47rfz1oSRjmxt-HYGsaAphlEALw_wcB

It's epoxy and what I use. I respectfully disagree with you on the subject of lining a good tank.

1705765163718.png


What happens to a tank lined with this stuff if it gets dented? My guess is that the liner is compromised. That stuff is hard as woodpecker lips!
 
The only tanks I have ever lined were those with pin hole leaks. If it is rusted but not leaking, I clean the rust out, once clean, fill with gas and I'm done.
Also, consider resale. A lined tank is a big turn off to buyers. I would be much more likely to buy a bike with a little rust in the tank than one that has been lined. And a clean rust free tank is the cats meow.
 
Do not coat a tank if it isn’t really damaged.

If it’s got some rust, clean it.

Sealer is an absolute last resort.

If you’re leaving fuel in your tank long enough that you think the additives in modern fuel will separate and corrode your tank, drain the fuel, it seems like you ride your bike once a year.

Epoxy while good, like any other sealer, only create mechanical bonds. Mechanical bonds fail.

Who would ever want to willing get into a situation where they could need to strip a failed tank liner if they don’t have to?
 
jetmechmarty said:
This is what we have in the USA.
https://caswellplating.com/epoxy-ga...rsxk78ibAaO7iH47rfz1oSRjmxt-HYGsaAphlEALw_wcB

It's epoxy and what I use. I respectfully disagree with you on the subject of lining a good tank.

View attachment 260117

What happens to a tank lined with this stuff if it gets dented? My guess is that the liner is compromised. That stuff is hard as woodpecker lips!
Click to expand...
Yes, I think the Caswell and Flowliner products are from what I can see, the two best out there.
 
ckahleer said:
The only tanks I have ever lined were those with pin hole leaks. If it is rusted but not leaking, I clean the rust out, once clean, fill with gas and I'm done.
Also, consider resale. A lined tank is a big turn off to buyers. I would be much more likely to buy a bike with a little rust in the tank than one that has been lined. And a clean rust free tank is the cats meow.
Click to expand...
The Caswell stuff can seal up some very big holes.

1705767203828.png
 
I feel bad for you guys who can't get non-ethanol gas. It's everywhere in central New York where I live, so I use it in all of my 6 active bikes, 3 lawn machines and the MX-5.

So, GPaws1968, you say that you are in California; this website states that you can get it in at least 19 stations or marinas. If they aren't close to you, get a few 5 gallon cans, go fill them up and add a stabilizer so it can be stored for a year, and then you don't have to worry about your E10 degrading into acid.


PURE-Gas.org https://www.pure-gas.org/

Welcome to the definitive list of stations that sell ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada!​


California: 19 stations
direct link
If your E0 gas station isn't listed below, then add a station



Brawley
GULF
100
Glamis Dunes Storage
5379 Hwy 78
760-351-1301
2019-11-18
view


Cloverdale
UNBRANDED
92
Renner Petroleum
1313 S Cloverdale Blvd
707-894-0776
2023-02-15
view


Covelo
UNION 76
100
Covelo Airport
1 Airport Rd
707-463-4363
2022-08-16
view


Downey
GULF
98104116
Socal Nitrous & Race Fuels
9723 Washburn Rd
562-862-9122
2023-03-09
view


Eureka
UNBRANDED
9192
Renner Petroleum
1100 W 14th St
707-443-1645
2023-11-17
view


Fortuna
UNBRANDED
91
Renner Petroleum
2435 Newburg Rd
707-725-2364
2020-07-03
view


Garberville
UNBRANDED
91
Renner Petroleum
76 Bear Canyon Rd
707-923-3380
2022-04-25
view


Indio
SINCLAIR
110
Clark's Travel Center
82253 Indio Blvd
760-342-4776
2023-03-05
view


Lakeport
UNBRANDED
92
Hillside Powersports
2575 S. Main St.
707-263-9000
2022-12-23
view


Little River
UNBRANDED
100
Little River Airport
43001 Little River-Airport Rd
707-937-5129
2020-08-10
view


Paso Robles
VP RACING
100
Vp Racing Fuels
1441 Spring St
805-238-0712
2023-12-09
view


Placerville
UNBRANDED
93100
Hunt & Sons
2891 Mosquito Road
530-622-1551
2023-08-11
view


Redding
UNBRANDED
93
Hunt & Sons
4990 Mountain Lakes Blvd.
530-243-1217
2023-03-13
view


Redwood Valley
UNBRANDED
92
Redwood Valley
8551 East Rd
707-485-5821
2019-10-11
view


Salinas
VP RACING
100
Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca
1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy
831-242-8201
2023-06-20
view


Salton Sea Bch
UNBRANDED
110
Red Earth Casino
3089 Norm Niver Rd
760-395-1200
2022-11-07
view


Sunol
UNBRANDED
100112114
Sunol Superstop
3004 Andrade Rd.
925-862-0577
2023-06-30
view


Ukiah
UNBRANDED
92
Rainbow Ag
235 E Perkins St
707-462-2404
2023-04-24
view


Westminster
VP RACING
96100105
Socal Nitrous & Race Fuels
7052 Garden Grove Blvd
714-622-5093
2023-03-09
view
 
You guys have forgot about POR15. I had my XS650 tank sealed with it 12-13 years ago and still good. I think I had filled it up once with ethanol fuel but only use non ethanol.

I pretty much agree with the only do it if it's pretty bad inside. I did it long ago because I thought it was a good idea and before I read about all the horror stories. Also if you haven't done it have someone who has done it many times do it which is wha I did. Prep is the big killer of these jobs. If done wrong it can be a nightmare.
https://www.eastwood.com/por-15-cyc...GJ8bs5bRUbJAyQRqkREH1wUrGIgtwDOUaAty9EALw_wcB
 
cra-z1 said:
You guys have forgot about POR15. I had my XS650 tank sealed with it 12-13 years ago and still good. I think I had filled it up once with ethanol fuel but only use non ethanol.

I pretty much agree with the only do it if it's pretty bad inside. I did it long ago because I thought it was a good idea and before I read about all the horror stories. Also if you haven't done it have someone who has done it many times do it which is wha I did. Prep is the big killer of these jobs. If done wrong it can be a nightmare.
https://www.eastwood.com/por-15-cyc...GJ8bs5bRUbJAyQRqkREH1wUrGIgtwDOUaAty9EALw_wcB
Click to expand...
Absolutely. 95% of the job is before your pour the sealant into the tank.
 
I can attest to what Marty says. I have experienced one of the few Caswell liner failures I’ve ever heard of. The tank was already professionally lined when I bought it. So not sure what the reasoning behind the decision for it was. Under the failed portion of the liner the tank is smooth and like new. When I reached out to Caswell about it, they told me the same thing that Marty stated. Their product is designed to bite onto rough/rusty and textured surfaces. Very frustrating as the only way to remove the liner is nasty chemicals that they dont sell to the public consumer.
 
willis said:
I can attest to what Marty says. I have experienced one of the few Caswell liner failures I’ve ever heard of. The tank was already professionally lined when I bought it. So not sure what the reasoning behind the decision for it was. Under the failed portion of the liner the tank is smooth and like new. When I reached out to Caswell about it, they told me the same thing that Marty stated. Their product is designed to bite onto rough/rusty and textured surfaces. Very frustrating as the only way to remove the liner is nasty chemicals that they dont sell to the public consumer.
Click to expand...
Did they happen to mention how to prep a de-rusted tank for their liner to cling better...etching, etc?

I have a tank in mind to Caswell, but its already been evaporusted, only to find seam leaks after the fact (dang it!).

So its smooth inside...no bueno according to Caswell?
 

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