Tank Sealant

[cash]

My brother has a very nice original 750 Roadster imported from the USA. The petrol tank has been internally coated with what looks like black epoxy resin and it's starting to crack and flake off. My question is, what is it and can it be removed?

 

[kommando]

What is the tank made of, if its fibreglass then dump it and get a Taiwan Emgo steel replacement.

 

[N0rt0nelectr@]

I used white vinegar to help me remove the sealant form the tank on my 56 Norton. Not sure what the black sealant might be or what might work on that. The good thing white vinegar is cheap.

 

[Richard Tool]

Acetone if it’s epoxy .

 

[Tornado]

All depends on tank material, steel or fibreglass. Metal will handle strong solvents to remove a sealer. FG will not.

If flaking is minor, not peeling or separating in one large blob, than consider prepping inside and applying a new layer of sealer.

 

[The yaki]

My brother has a very nice original 750 Roadster imported from the USA. The petrol tank has been internally coated with what looks like black epoxy resin and it's starting to crack and flake off. My question is, what is it and can it be removed?

Yes it can ! I have a spare can of "tank strip" from Frosts that removes most all. Check their website. Great care to be taken with paintwork! I managed but needed a bit of thought! You can have it for postage ! I will also include how to save the paint. Roy. ()

 

[Tornado]

There is a local rad/tank repair shop here that does motorcycle tanks. Part of their process cuts the tank in half to fully access interior for sand-blasting back to bare metal, then re-brazing/welding back together. Heat treated sealer then applied, as per modern tanks from factory.

 

[ilikevelos]

I have used tank strip before and protected the paint with the following layers: petroleum jelly, saran wrap, aluminum foil and a last layer of saran wrap. Succeeded in keeping chemicals off of the good paint. I hate trying to coat or strip the inside of a tank with good paint. Never heard of cutting the tank in half to clean. Seems a little extreme since paint is inherently destroyed.

 

[NORTSTER1974]

My brother has a very nice original 750 Roadster imported from the USA. The petrol tank has been internally coated with what looks like black epoxy resin and it's starting to crack and flake off. My question is, what is it and can it be removed?

That's the dreaded Black goo, from the tar pits of South Dakota. Right next to the Vinyl mines in Wyoming. That's where all your LP records come from. If it's flaking, it's some old stuff. If it's a stock fiberglass tank, get yourself a new steel one. Preferably an Emgo. If it is original, may the good Lord have mercy on you, unless you run ethanol free gas.

 

[Tornado]

I have used tank strip before and protected the paint with the following layers: petroleum jelly, saran wrap, aluminum foil and a last layer of saran wrap. Succeeded in keeping chemicals off of the good paint. I hate trying to coat or strip the inside of a tank with good paint. Never heard of cutting the tank in half to clean. Seems a little extreme since paint is inherently destroyed.

Yes, buzz saw is extreme and likely not a reasonable option for bikes where good replacement tanks can be had for aboit same cost before painting.
But for rare tanks, unobtanium tanks, could be an option of last resort.

 

[Matchless]

If it's steel I would take up the offer of the Tank Strip from The Yaki. It's basically old fashioned paint stripper, the type that worked well before the health & safety police got involved. I used it to strip powder coating from a Matchless race frame & it works.
If it's a glass fibre tank, put it on the shelf & buy an Emgo.

 

[cash]

Thanks chaps. The tank is steel and has the original unblemished paint work. I'll pass your advice on to my brother it's his first Commando.