Paint - too cheap!

[sparklow]

I painted the gas tank with rattle cans over the winter. It came out fairly well. Then I also used rattle can clear coat. Mistake here, gas melts it! Me stupid, the tank is now a mess from gas spill. Is there a type or brand of rattle can clear coat that is gas resistant?

The right way of course would be to take the tank to a professional. That however would not be in the spirit of this project so far, which is to finish with a tight budget.

[spyug]

Tom,
Been there and done that. If you read back through some of my posts you'll see that I have pretty much tested everything out there and nothing in a rattle can will work.

Like most of us here I tried to do it the cheapest way but in the end it cost me dearly in time to redo.

Now with 3 to 5 gallon compressors going for $50 to $90 and HVLP (high volume low pressure) guns for $25 to$50, most anyone can afford to use proper "pro" finishes.

Yes the materials are more costly but auto urethane clearcoat ( 2 part paint and hardener) is the only stuff that will not melt with gas.

One way to keep the cost down is to spray the base with rattle can and finish with urethane clearcoat. This is the route I took on the tracker project and so far so good. About $10 for cans and about $50 for clearcoat and hardener (enough to do the whole bike with lots left over).

Probably outside the budget I know but really the only way to save a paint job that I could find.

The good thing about this setup is that you will have a compressor for many other future projects.

Not what you wanted to hear sorry.

Good luck.
Spyug

[buzzdagen]

www.alsacorp.com Has a two part urathane clearcoat in spray can. Should stand up to gas spills.

[82bobber]

thats some killer lookin' paint!

got to remember that if gas seeps into neck of filler opening it will go under paint and lift it up regardless of what kind it is, I have a friend who is a pro painter and he has problems even with hardener coats, he still can get a gas mark > dull< spot if spilled....lotsa wax is needed.

[chaser]

It helps too if you wax the tank very thoroughly(more than one coat). Also when you fill up have a rag ready to catch any spills right away. If you do spill any fuel, make sure to rewax as soon as possible. Hope that helps!
Gary

[82bobber]

also another tip....I made a "bib" for my gas tank, just cut out a piece of 10X10" leather (or use fake stuff) cut a hole in the center for gas spigot and ready to pump, I just keep it in my tool bag, wraps up tools good too.

[awilson40]

How did they ever get paint to hold up BEFORE 2 part epoxy paint
Back in the day, all there was was enamel and Laquer.
Oh...what did we do

[awilson40]

also
this stuff is suppose to be pretty tough.

www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html

I bought some and it really gives a hard wax coating but I have
yet to test it with fuel. I plan on waxing befor every fill up AND
use the 'bib' approach.

[bill]

For anyone still wanting to protect a rattle can paint job against gas, try Dulicolor DE 1636. Its a clear designed for high heat engine painting and is not affected by gas. I have used it over a Krylon base coat and tested the part (dryed for 24 hours) by soaking in gas for 30 minutes.

[burge]

Yep
I like the 1636 hitemp clear but dont use it on pipes. it works great on sidecovers barrels and heads - good stuff - it will burn off pipes.
Dwayne

[bigaz]

does any one know if you can use 1636 clear over the top of other paint. can you use it over enamel or acylic paint and is it a clear or does it yellow as you put more coats on Cheers Gaz

[bigaz]

I figured it out thanks