Caswell liner failure

[bigmark0272]

In the past, I've used blue metal. Put a few handfuls in the tank and shake until your arms fall off. To remove any remnants of water, I've used metho.

Hey buddy showed me this one and it works awesomely. First you block up riding mower rear wheels off the ground. Then cut plywood pieces near the size of the tire. 1 piece on needs center hole split to go around axle then couple boards holds back together. The other plywood needs 2x4s running parrallel on opposite 2 edges. Next screw boards running parrellel with other two sides (perpendicular and on top of 1rs boards) which will leave gap between boards and plywood. Nowy ou can either used 2x4 or 1x4 to attach plywood together building box around tire or use straps. Once thats done you can attach tank to another piece of plywood or directly to last boards using straps depending on your tank. Then after making sure the tubes and holes are plugged (if neccessary) You can fire up your mower, engaging tranny to desired speed and let it do all the work of spinning shaking your tank!! If I'veconfused you guys and would like to see it let me know I'll be doing it pretty soon on mine and will take pics.

 

[bigmark0272]

"Consequently, for my other tanks, I just keep them full of fuel and pay attention to what is going on inside."

Me too
I just cleaned out a tank with Metal Rescue and it got the rust out nicely then rinsed with water air dried with hair dryer coated with gas oil mixture for a few days and I just keep the tank full
I jus wouldn't want the tragedy of a failed liner
Here's the tank after Metal Rescue and before the oil gas mixture
Edit: The photo looks much worse than the tank does to the naked eye and I now use fuel filters
Don't think I really need them but for a few bucks more new fuel line new filters

I've seen so many posts all over forums about how shitty Kreme is!!!!

 

[RC4MAN]

I posted an inquiry for educated opinion in another thread but have received no response so am trying here more directly related to the subject.
Have two fiberglass tanks that I would like to line with a protectant sealer and am curious what is considered to be best.
The popular brands I've seen discussed are Caswell and Kreem, there are likely others.
I've read about the Caswell failures here and have picked up that it's an epoxy coating. From photos it appears to be a grey color and looks like what is in the tank of a friends' HD that I am restoring, which also appears to be flaking off in places.
I recall back in 70's my dad had a Honda CB550 and after a winter in the shed with low fuel level he developed rust in the tank. At the time I got a tank sealer from either a local MC or Auto parts store and after draining the gas flushing with alcohol I poured in a pint can of this sealer, rolled it around to reach all surfaces then upended the tank and allowed the tank to drain over night.
Once cured the coating still had a pliable surface unlike a hard epoxy. The coating was in the bike the remainder of the time he had it and he had no issues with it.
I believe Omar's advertised he used Caswell in the tanks he made and sold to protect the glass resin from modern ethanol laced gas but I've had no feedback as to how well it has held up.
Looking for experienced feedback on any related products.

Thanks

 

[MaxPete]

Hi @RC4MAN

I have read that the problem with the old-technology liners like Kreem and Caswell is that they break down when exposed to ethanol.

This form of alcohol is just about impossible to avoid in modern gasoline blends and it can be quite hard on certain polymers and other substances (including fuel tank liner coatings and older carburetor parts). Coatings like Kreme and Caswell's were developed before ethanol was in fuel blends - and their manufacturers have not kept up with the evolution of fuels.

I have had really good luck with POR15 - which is the stuff that Jay Leno uses on his big-buck car restorations. He even does testimonials for POR15 (see attached video) and while I am not a huge Leno fan, I figure if it is good enough for his $2,000,000 dollar Duesenberg and Rolls-Royces, it is good enough for my $2000 Yamahas and BMW Airheads.

Cheers,

Pete

 

[gggGary]

I've a got a "brand new" Omars, guy filled it with fuel, the bike never ran, he left it sit. looks beautiful ON THE OUTSIDE,
inside

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I've a got a "brand new" Omars, guy filled it with fuel, the bike never ran, he left it sit. looks beautiful ON THE OUTSIDE,
inside
View attachment 237334View attachment 237335View attachment 237336

How long can you let unlined fiberglass tanks sit with Non-ethanol fuel in it, any idea?

 

[gggGary]

How long can you let unlined fiberglass tanks sit with Non-Methanol fuel in it, any idea?

20 minutes?
My very limited experiences with fiberglass tanks have all been bad.

 

[46th Georgia]

I've a got a "brand new" Omars, guy filled it with fuel, the bike never ran, he left it sit. looks beautiful ON THE OUTSIDE,
inside
View attachment 237334View attachment 237335View attachment 237336

I wanted so badly to buy a Champion or Champion style tank. Thank God I listened to those of you who knew better. Thanks guys!

 

[Vincenthdfan]

20 minutes?
My very limited experiences with fiberglass tanks have all been bad.

Well I think they can last a little longer than that with non-ethanol fuel.

I know they've been used in the racing arena forever...and still are.

I was wondering if you have to drain it after every ride, or a week....?

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I wanted so badly to buy a Champion or Champion style tank. Thank God I listened to those of you who knew better. Thanks guys!

What are you going with instead?

 

[Mailman]

20 minutes?
My very limited experiences with fiberglass tanks have all been bad.

Yeah here in Arizona they sell what is called CBG ( cleaner burning gas ) it has a blend of highly volatile solvents. I no longer trust gas tank liners , and I certainly wouldn’t trust fiberglass tanks ( for me personally ) our gas today sure ain’t my fathers gasoline!

 

[gggGary]

Well I think they can last a little longer than that with non-ethanol fuel.

I know they've been used in the racing arena forever...and still are.

I was wondering if you have to drain it after every ride, or a week....?

The few guys still running the early buell fiberglass tanks do just that; drain between rides.
From inside an early Buell I had.

It was leaking from the seams too.

 

[RC4MAN]

BSA and Ducati made bikes back in the 60's-70's with glass tanks and they held up pretty well. I remember the early Ducati SS750 had an unpainted stripe up the side of the tank so you could see the fuel level at a glance. My old BSA 250 Starfire had a glass tank, and glass oil tank as well, both held up well.
I think the US Govt outlawed them as OEM for street going application as a safety issue because they could fracture in accident and leak.
I await other responses, then coat them but stay with non-ethanol gas for these bikes.

 

[46th Georgia]

What are you going with instead?

I have the original 81 Special tank or one from a 75B. I'm modifying an old Champion flat track seat, so what I'll probably do is get everything up to primer and dry fit to see how it looks and go from there although I'm leaning towards the "B" tank.

 

[gggGary]

Just a guess but modern fuels are a dumping ground for what` used to go into paint and coatings.
volatile organic compounds. They are very reactive.

 

[46th Georgia]

The few guys still running the early buell fiberglass tanks do just that; drain between rides.
From inside an early Buell I had.
View attachment 237339

It was leaking from the seams too.

Man that'll ruin your day.

 

[jpdevol]

I have a 4yr old Omar's tank and it appears to be hand-laid polyester and it is coated with some proprietary stuff (claims it's secret) that's dark blue in color: https://www.omarsfiberglass.com/tanks. It appears to be a thin semi-transparent layer and not shiny like Caswell.

Anyway, I run non-ethanol mostly - only occasional fill-ups with ethanol when necessary. I do store it dry in the off-season, but leave fuel in it at all times during riding season: so far no issues (there I've jinxed myself)

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I have a 4yr old Omar's tank and it appears to be hand-laid polyester and it is coated with some proprietary stuff (claims it's secret) that's dark blue in color: https://www.omarsfiberglass.com/tanks. It appears to be a thin semi-transparent layer and not shiny like Caswell.

Anyway, I run non-ethanol mostly - only occasional fill-ups with ethanol when necessary. I do store it dry in the off-season, but leave fuel in it at all times during riding season: so far no issues (there I've jinxed myself)

That unused Omars tank I just bought used has what appears to be a semi-transparent blue liner in it too.

Guy I bought tank from never put fuel in it.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I posted an inquiry for educated opinion in another thread but have received no response so am trying here more directly related to the subject.
Have two fiberglass tanks that I would like to line with a protectant sealer and am curious what is considered to be best.
The popular brands I've seen discussed are Caswell and Kreem, there are likely others.
I've read about the Caswell failures here and have picked up that it's an epoxy coating. From photos it appears to be a grey color and looks like what is in the tank of a friends' HD that I am restoring, which also appears to be flaking off in places.
I recall back in 70's my dad had a Honda CB550 and after a winter in the shed with low fuel level he developed rust in the tank. At the time I got a tank sealer from either a local MC or Auto parts store and after draining the gas flushing with alcohol I poured in a pint can of this sealer, rolled it around to reach all surfaces then upended the tank and allowed the tank to drain over night.
Once cured the coating still had a pliable surface unlike a hard epoxy. The coating was in the bike the remainder of the time he had it and he had no issues with it.
I believe Omar's advertised he used Caswell in the tanks he made and sold to protect the glass resin from modern ethanol laced gas but I've had no feedback as to how well it has held up.
Looking for experienced feedback on any related products.

Thanks

Caswell and Kreem are not the same. I won’t speak on Kreem as I have no experience. Caswell is epoxy and hardens clear like glass, but you my opt for various colors.

I have heard of only one Caswell failure, ever. Was it @willis or @RustiePyles ? It didn’t dissolve, but broke off in places. There are other unsubstantiated negative opinions on this board. I have two tanks lined with it. I’ll use it on the next one, too. Most liner failures are solvent based liners. The grey stuff isn’t likely Caswell. Caswell finish is slick like glass.

 

[halfmile]

I had a Dick Mann Replica (DMR) Ossa with a fiberglass tank and it lasted for at least 10 years until I sold it. Seems like other Ossa`s had glass tanks too. My Bultaco`s had glass tanks too. There was no ethanol gas back then and they all had 2 cycle oil mixed in them. My Cushman project has some sort of RED liner in the tank. It will be removed and POR15 will replace it.