'85 White Plastic Tank - How do you get it white again?

[Husky37]

I am currently breathing new life into my '85 500CR which was dismantled some +15 years ago....

I know I can get hold of some new plastics, front/rear mud guard, air box but not the tank.

Mine has gone off-white and looks grubby.

What can I do to restore the tank to it's former glory.

Thanks

 

[ruwfo]

seal it from inside

I read sealing the tank from the inside is the only to keep tank from
discoloring, the gas cause the plastic to turn brown. Then i'd guess
repainting , there's a guy on Ebay selling restored tank - plastic too,
try emailing him.

Or go to a body shop who do alot of Corvette repairs,they should
know what type of flexible additive needed to be added to paint.

Or put universal number plate decals (white) over the flat sides of the tank, I made a pattern tracing the outline of the tank, then transfered it
to the decal sheet, peel & stick.

They stay good for about a year before they start to bubble. Maybe longer if you were to drain the tank when you weren't using the
bike.

Here's my old 86 400wr with it done, still looks good after a few years,
when i took this pic.

John

 

[Husky37]

I read sealing the tank from the inside is the only to keep tank from
discoloring, the gas cause the plastic to turn brown. Then i'd guess
repainting , there's a guy on Ebay selling restored tank - plastic too,
try emailing him.

Or go to a body shop who do alot of Corvette repairs,they should
know what type of flexible additive needed to be added to paint.

Or put universal number plate decals (white) over the flat sides of the tank, I made a pattern tracing the outline of the tank, then transfered it
to the decal sheet, peel & stick.

They stay good for about a year before they start to bubble. Maybe longer if you were to drain the tank when you weren't using the
bike.

Here's my old 86 400wr with it done, still looks good after a few years,
when i took this pic.

John

Hi John,

Many thanks for the suggestions.

I'll try and find the guy on ebay but if you have his address to hand that would be of great help.

I will definitely explore the 'sticker' route as this will allow for 'tidying up' during the rest of it's working life with little fuss...

As far as the paint goes I think it's the same additive that they put in to colour match plastic bumpers.

I think the only models this effected was 84,85,86?

KR

Stu

 

[frog]

There's a guy on E-bay that seals the inside and paints the tanks,works good. I have a YZ tank with this process,you don't have to worry about tank decals bubbling after the process also.Also try Joe Abbates cycle therapy web site, he paints tanks and I think does the same process.Thank

 

[Husky37]

There's a guy on E-bay that seals the inside and paints the tanks,works good. I have a YZ tank with this process,you don't have to worry about tank decals bubbling after the process also.Also try Joe Abbates cycle therapy web site, he paints tanks and I think does the same process.Thank

Hi Frog,

Thanks for the info.

I might have a problem location wise as I am in the UK. If I can't get the process sorted here then I might have to think about buying a spare tank state side, getting it refurbished and then shipping it back home... that would be the last resort though.

KR

Stu

 

[frog]

I'm sure Joe could handle that for you. The stuff they line the plastic tanks with in called Tanker-Rite, it's from Italy I think. If you can get that stuff,I'm sure any UK body shop could do the process for you and save a tone of $$$$$. The Tanker-Rite product makes a tank within the tank.Here's my YZ tank.

 

[Husky37]

I'm sure Joe could handle that for you. The stuff they line the plastic tanks with in called Tanker-Rite, it's from Italy I think. If you can get that stuff,I'm sure any UK body shop could do the process for you and save a tone of $$$$$. The Tanker-Rite product makes a tank within the tank.Here's my YZ tank.

Hi Frog,

I haven't been able to find any reference to Tanker-Rite however whilst searching I did come up with a UK Company that does a similar process.

Will have a conversation with them tomorrow. Will keep you posted for future reference.

KR

Stu

 

[Husky37]

BTW: Very nice Yam tank...

 

[Motosportz]

sealer - http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/Tank-Sealers_c_7-1-0.html

 

[Husky37]

Hi Motosportz,

Thanks for that info. Both of those listed have people in the UK so thanks for that.

It seems that the way to go is to seal the tank then have it painted as I haven't seen a method yet of being able to restore the existing plastic to it's former white condition.

Not sure when I can get this done but I'll be sure to post before and after pics.

KR

Stu

 

[Skoalman]

fine steel wool, a little elbow grease, plastic polish, and fresh new stickers from the lads across the pond:

http://mxm.co.uk/?page_id=17&category=13

 

[Husky37]

Hi Skoalman,

I did try some fine steel wool on the shock guard but didn't do much. I will revisit the suggestion though.

Thanks

KR

Stu

 

[Skoalman]

Stu use a little ajax/bleach...then buff that sucker out with some type of plastic polish...then slap on some fresh decals...I know it won't be perfect...but it'll be better...

 

[Husky37]

Hi Skoalman,

I'll try that over next couple of days and report back.

KR

Stu

 

[ruwfo]

use #4 steel wool

You need to buy hardware store (commerical grade) #4 steel wool, it's
real rough, takes a thin layer (micro) of plastic off. But it really doesn't
get the whitest back on the gas tanks as well as fender.

I've restored a bunch of husky plastic using steel wool, forget the plastic polish til you almost done. Be prepared to make a big mess
though, as there's a lot of dust, you be covered in it in minutes,
even doing it by hand like i do it.

John

 

[luvwoods]

sealer - http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

What plastic are tanks made from? The Caswell product says it will not adhere to polyethylene. I thought tanks/fenders/panels were made from this??? Anyone know?

 

[Husky37]

Thanks John... looks like I have to get dirty.....

Might try a bit of everyone's suggestions and report back....

KR

Stu

 

[Skoalman]

I actually got the steel wool technique on another Husky website from John (rufwo)...I saw how well his technique worked on fenders and thought hmmm, I'm going to give it a try too...good stuff!

 

[wrx]

I've used a razor blade and plastic polish on my 1985 250cr with great results. you gotta have patience, it takes the yellow right off. also draining the tank after use works wonders. fuel leaches through over time and stains the plastic. it also removed a lot of the small scratches where my knees/ knee braces contact the tank.

 

[Joe Chod]

tank must be sealed or all your work is for naught. It is the octane that does it. Now that cold weather is here and before you seal it, fill tank with bleach and let sit for a while. The browning is literally from the inside to the out....worse inside. the buffing alone only works so well as opposed to ther parts as they have surface discoloration. The tanks have it through and through. After letting it soak in bleach for a couple weeks, try the #4 steel wool. I have dne i with a plishing mandrel. by hand will kill you!

if it looks acceptable, then seal it.
It will repeat if not sealed and stickers will bubble very rapidly.

Joe