Professional clear coat for gas tank

[toolittletime]

I recently rebuilt a 74 Eldo and just couldn't bear to spend the 500.00 $$$ that the paint shop wanted to do the tank.
After rattle can painting and sanding, applying decals, and then an over the counter clear coat, it still didn't look quite right. Bear in mind  I'm not looking for a show bike, but just a good looking, good running example of the Eldo.

I ran across this stuff online: It has apparently been on the market for a while, but is new to me.

[urlhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Spray-Max-2K-Spray-High-Gloss-CLEAR-COAT-3680061-FREE-SHIPPING/132221409336?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649][/url]





It is a 2 part spray,in one can,  that gives professional results. After wet sanding the previous over the counter clear coat with 2000 grit, and thorough wiping down, I sprayed 2 coats of the Spray Max about 15 minutes apart, and repeated with 2 coats the following day. Waited a few days and then mounted the tank.
This spray is very easy to apply and is thick enough and dries so fast that I did not have any runs anywhere.......very easy to use. Took 2 cans to apply 4 coats to the tank and side covers. I will probably remove the tool boxes and do them too some time in the future.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone doing their own painting and wanting a professional looking result
And yes......it appears to be gasoline proof.............. ......ask me how I know.

Tim




I have about 75.00 invested in 2 cans of the spray max......rustoleum red paint....and painting supplies

[Kiwi_Roy]

Nice Job
I wondered about the extra white lines on the tank but then I realized it's some sort of reflection.
Did you do the pin striping yourself, is it paint or a stick on product?

I love my Eldo, warts and all
Thanks for the recommendation.

[toolittletime]

Thanks...
It's a stick on pin striping....easy to use and easy to make curves with.  Apply it and then clear coat over it. I decide to paint the entire tank, since the chrome was badly worn and hideous.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinyl-Pinstriping-Tape-12-OSHA-COLORS-AVAILABLE-1-4-INCH-6mm-x-108-Ft-5MIL/252964068160?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=551995505284&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Tim

[Socalrob]

Looks great in the photo.  Nice deep red.

[Idontwantapickle]

That looks nice!
And a red Eldo is the fastest kind!
 

[kirkemon]

 :thumb:I've used that clear coat before and it's very good. Mix the two parts by activating the button on the bottom of the can. I got a very professional results. Wear a mask, it really puts out a heavy spray. Label says that it must be used within 48 hrs. after activation. 

[Rusnak_322]

that is the only way to go. Normal rattle can paint wont hold up to fuel, even a drip will leave a mark. The spray can paint and clear evaporates the solvents away when they dry, the 2 part has a chemical reaction that will not be effected by normal solvents a tank may see.

I just redid a bike for my wife, used automotive paint for the tank, but rattle can high temp paint for the motor. When I first put fuel into it after a full rebuild, one of the carbs leaked gas onto the motor and I had to repaint the sprocket cover.

[TimmyTheHog]

Nice job!

One of the key was to pick the gasosline approved coating.

Now once you get that clear coating done, I would advice you also get scratch resistant coating such as ceramic coating done to help further protect from gear/tank bag scuffing.

[Chesterfield]

That Spray-Max is German made stuff that works really well. It`s just like a professional paint job with a base coat and then that clear. I believe the clear is to be used in about 24hrs once you mix the 2 parts. I actually think it's a little easier to use if you let it sit a few hours after mixing. As was mentioned any paint without a 2 part clear coat will be ruined the first time you spill gas on it.

[Triple Jim]

I've used several cans on a couple different motorcycles, and it is the real thing.  2-part acrylic urethane, gasoline resistant, can be put on glossy without the need to wet sand and polish,etc..  Also, you can keep a partial can in the refrigerator several times longer than the official pot life, after you push the button to mix the hardener.  It's a really nice spray nozzle, too.  It puts out a fan pattern, and you can rotate it to any angle you need for the part you're spraying.

[Triple Jim]

As was mentioned any paint without a 2 part clear coat will be ruined the first time you spill gas on it.

Many, but not all.  A good urethane or acrylic urethane is fuel resistant.  The Imron I put on my H2 38 years ago has had gasoline, lacquer thinner, and brake fluid spilled on it, and none of those have caused a problem.

[Chesterfield]

A good urethane will not like you say. Is the final finish very good? Would it be something you would use on a pristine Eldorado restoration tank? I am not familiar with how they lay.  Almost all basic spray paint finishes will suffer at even the slightest hint of a gasoline type fume. Here`s some 2 parts that would work great on engine cases and such without using a clear. But they are not meant for a fine finish. For that the base coat 2 part clear is your best bet and is how professional paint applications are done.

Nice to know about extending the life of the 2 part in the fridge.

[Motomoto]

I've also had excellent results on tanks with the SprayMax 2K epoxy primer, light sanding, flat base coat, then several coats of the SprayMax Glamour High Gloss 2K clear. I then leave it alone for at least a week to really harden up, then wet sand with 2500, then 3000, then finish up with the 3M 3-stage rubbing/polishing compound routine.  Watch (and follow) the 3M youtube vids on their clear-coat sanding/polishing products.

Although a rattle can - it's nasty catalyzed stuff and you must wear a respirator with fresh 3M 6001 organic vapor filter cartridges. You don't want it in your eyes or on skin either. 

Be patient. Don't put the tank into service for a couple weeks. It takes a while for the clear to fully cure - but then it's really hard and fuel resistant.

http://usa.spraymax.com/index.php?id=851