whats the best way to get white tank White again?

[NZHusky]

apologies if this has already been asked........how do i get my 85 WR400 tank outside cleaned. It has the typical "off white" look from the 2t oil bleeding through over the years.

Thanks in advance..Phil

 

[White Husky]

Hello. There was a thread a while ago on this. Found it using the search function. Here's the link:

http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5805

Hope it helps.

Kind regards
Lucien

 

[NZHusky]

cheers for that and sorry....i should have searched first

 

[dukkman]

apologies if this has already been asked........how do i get my 85 WR400 tank outside cleaned. It has the typical "off white" look from the 2t oil bleeding through over the years.

Thanks in advance..Phil

I wonder if the discolouration IS the fuel coming through ?
If so then why are ALL my plastics the same colour?
Am starting to think that they are not UV protected.
Mike

 

[ruwfo]

I'd disagree about the discoloration coming 100% from the inside, granted the fuel is causing the problem, but i think it's because the fuel softens the plastic slightly & allows dirt to get ground deeply in to the plastics pores.

I've sanded down 3 white tanks & i've gotten them about 90% white,by just removing the top dirty pores, so to speak. I'd agree to a small degree that the sun UV rays has something to do with it too.

I know the the graphic peeling is caused by the fuel, but i've repainted a 4th white tank & after a year other some very minor bubbling the tank still white.

In my opinion if you ride your bike, sand it down to get it close to it's original white & get some vented graphic & be done with it.


I can post pics of a sample white tank i've done before & after pic of.

Husky John

 

[sharpie1]

Back when I had a white tank I used cleaner wax, it pulls the dirt out really good. I dont know how effective it would be on a clear tank but on white it works great.

 

[ruwfo]

Here's a couple of pics

Here's a KTM 495 tank i sanded down recently, the more i sanded the more dirty white color i got rid of. You'll never get it white white , like new,but it's looks 1000% better. It was a very cloudy day when i took these pics,but it still looks pretty good.Last pic is almost complete,still need to get the graphics.

Husky John

 

[NZHusky]

Thanks fellas, thats what i love about this site...so many good,helpful ideas !
Im into it now and have found in Australia some decals with breather holes

Cheers

 

[Fritzcoinc]

I have removed a lot of the brown, not all, with bleach. The fenders and air box were just dingy and the bleach whitened right up.

And I found bathroom cleaner does a pretty good job removing brake dust.

 

[LEADVILLEHUSKY]

I just did my 84 xc 250, started with 1200 grit da paper up to 3000, than white wall cleaner and a grey scotch bright. Looks ok, just cant get some of the bleed thru out but it worked good

 

[mike328]

I have used arm & hammer baking soda..to clean outdoor plastic white lawn furniture.
make a paste and use a rag to apply...rub & rinse.
remember this stuff is like salt & will kill grass/vegetation so do this on concete etc..but safe of your hands

 

[Daniel508s]

I have removed a lot of the brown, not all, with bleach. The fenders and air box were just dingy and the bleach whitened right up.

And I found bathroom cleaner does a pretty good job removing brake dust.

Tilex bathroom cleaner and bleach? Thanks for the tip . Simple Green works wonders to.