Bare metal tank

[FrankS]

Reading Jim's "Painting Tins" thread, as part of the preparation of his tank to be painted, Jim removed all the paint down to the bare metal. I kind of like that look! It could be left rough with grinding marks, or it could be polished to satin or mirror. Anyone done this, or have a picture of an xs650 with a clear coated bare metal tank and side tins? Or painted silver/aluminum?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Reading Jim's "Painting Tins" thread, as part of the preparation of his tank to be painted, Jim removed all the paint down to the bare metal. I kind of like that look! It could be left rough with grinding marks, or it could be polished to satin or mirror. Anyone done this, or have a picture of an xs650 with a clear coated bare metal tank and side tins? Or painted silver/aluminum?

@ThatXS650Guy

 

[Jim]

Getting a mirror finish on steel is stupid time consuming and hard to do. Satin is doable... so is leaving grind marks. You do have to clear coat it after or it'll start rusting within days. Of the choices you gave, I'd go with silver paint.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

Marty has a good memory!

 

[Mailman]

Jim removed all the paint down to the bare metal. I kind of like that look! It could be left rough with grinding marks, or it could be polished to satin or mirror. Anyone done this, or have a picture of an xs650 with a clear coated bare metal tank and side tins? Or painted silver/aluminum?

This bike was built by forum member JayR and was featured in the 2018 forum calendar, its polished steel with a distressed red stripe and I’m sure clear coated to keep the rust at bay.

 

[WideAWAKE]

I built a Lambretta for a guy about 20 years ago and it was all bare metal with pin striping.

It needs to be prepped, cleaned and cleared or it’ll rust in short order.

 

[FrankS]

Is there a clear coat that's resistant to gasoline? Clear epoxy?

 

[Jim]

Is there a clear coat that's resistant to gasoline? Clear epoxy?

They're normally painted with automotive paint that's NOT fuel proof.
Don't need to get carried away with stupid expensive epoxy clear, Just needs to be good enough for the occasional spill... just like most automotive paint.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

I used 2K 2-part clear. No problem with gasoline.

 

[willis]

Just raw steel here. I treat it with Gibbs Brand penetrant and nothing else. This tank hasn’t seen road use yet, but it hasn’t rusted in 3 years in the shop.

 

[46th Georgia]

Getting a mirror finish on steel is stupid time consuming and hard to do. Satin is doable... so is leaving grind marks. You do have to clear coat it after or it'll start rusting within days. Of the choices you gave, I'd go with silver paint.

Down here, you can watch it rust.

 

[FrankS]

Just agreed to buy a 1977 special tank from a seller (vette181 on ebay) in California. Bare metal, $100us.

 

[Jim]

Just agreed to buy a 1977 special tank from a seller (vette181 on ebay) in California. Bare metal, $100us.

'78 was the first year for the Specials

 

[FrankS]

Sorry my mistake. It's identified as a 78/79 Special tank. I've been looking at many tank ads on eBay and got confused. Senior moment.

Bought this one. Already stripped to bare metal and no tank liner like the one I have.

 

[slicc64]

Reading Jim's "Painting Tins" thread, as part of the preparation of his tank to be painted, Jim removed all the paint down to the bare metal. I kind of like that look! It could be left rough with grinding marks, or it could be polished to satin or mirror. Anyone done this, or have a picture of an xs650 with a clear coated bare metal tank and side tins? Or painted silver/aluminum?

I just took my xs1b tank back to metal, did the same with the side covers too. Found quite a few dings/dents in the tank and a lot of bog in the RHS side cover.
Tank insets [where the yamaha badge goes] was filled with bog as were the side covers.

I bought repro tank badges, side cover badges and flashes and I love the way it looks.

Will add photos if your interested.

I like the grunge look and my bike will never be show condition anyway. [unless I win a lottery]

cheers

 

[46th Georgia]

I just took my xs1b tank back to metal, did the same with the side covers too. Found quite a few dings/dents in the tank and a lot of bog in the RHS side cover.
Tank insets [where the yamaha badge goes] was filled with bog as were the side covers.

I bought repro tank badges, side cover badges and flashes and I love the way it looks.

Will add photos if your interested.

I like the grunge look and my bike will never be show condition anyway. [unless I win a lottery]

cheers

Always interested in photos!

 

[Lou_TX]

Is there a clear coat that's resistant to gasoline? Clear epoxy?

I used 2K 2-part clear. No problem with gasoline.

^^^^ THAT
A can of 2-part paint (with hardener) costs approximately $25 and offers enough protection.
It isn't really a new item but relatively speaking, it still kinda is so it's hard to find a wide variety of colors.
However, clear and black are easy to find. If you need other colors, just paint the part first and then apply the 2K clear coat.
You will need to organize your work well, though. Once the can is "primed" with the built-in hardener, it must be used up within an hour or two. The paint will harden afterwards and whatever is left in the can will go to waste.

 

[member43148]

This 79 dual petcock tank is a fine candidate to become a “bare metal” tank!
No Dents !
Acceptable rust inside to address.
Original sun cooked paint.

Could this tank be dipped in something strong enough to eat the paint / rust and not damage the seams ?
I am not a fan of tank liners so this tank to me is considered good

 

[willis]

Another one from the Media album
https://www.xs650.com/media/img_3372.25451/

 

[PupTruck]

Attached are photos of a bike tank I polished to bare metal. I can't remember the number of progressive grits I used but I ended up with the finest steel wool as my last finish. I coat it with WD-40 every now and then. If surface rust appears, I can quickly polish it out. I don't leave it outside and avoid riding it in the rain though. I did it more out of curiosity and was not interested in filling dents or painting at the time. You may achieve a slightly higher shine with a final buff but you won't achieve the mirror finish like aluminum or stainless.