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It looks like I'm going to have to remove my paint from my tank.
For the back story, I have a place about the size of a silver dollar where the clear coat was chipped due to an unfortunate left turn by a cager.
I decided to use vinyl wrap to cover the spot. That's what you see in my sig pics and avatar, but the problem with that is that the heat from the engine is causing the vinyl near the rocker covers to deform and deteriorate.
This bike is my primary mode of transportation. I have an SUV, but I hate driving it and rarely do. I need to do something to the tank over the weekend quickly so that I will have my bike ready to roll by Monday for work.
I think my best option at this point is to run the tank raw. I like the look of the raw metal as well. I'll probably break down and have it painted in the winter, but for now, I want to remove all of the paint.
I've heard that paint stripper doesn't work to well with modern Harley paint jobs. Is this true?
What's the quickest way to remove the paint? I have an orbital sander, an axle grinder, and various drills (impact and standard). What's the quickest way to get this done.
However you decide to get it off (media blast) use these 3 things to give it that cool grind finish.. Use 80 grit with a nice light pressure and pull in one direction (front to back) for an even look.Then spray the tank with any rattle can clear varnish. Anyone thats not lame has this in their garage. I use it ALL the time. Excellent for lawnmower blades. FYI, they also make scotch bright pads for the arbor. Here is a BS sheet metal table with a 1/2" black iron pipe leg with a wall flange on the end for a foot double sided taped to the floor. But if you take your time you can make your tank look decent.
However you decide to get it off (media blast) use these 3 things to give it that cool grind finish.. Use 80 grit with a nice light pressure and pull in one direction (front to back) for an even look.Then spray the tank with any rattle can clear varnish. Anyone thats not lame has this in their garage. I use it ALL the time. Excellent for lawnmower blades. FYI, they also make scotch bright pads for the arbor. Here is a BS sheet metal table with a 1/2" black iron pipe leg with a wall flange on the end for a foot double sided taped to the floor. But if you take your time you can make your tank look decent.
Thanks Bro! I've been researching since my post. I believe getting the paint off won't be hard. I'm going with one of these 3M drill brushes to keep the speed down so that I don't damage the bare metal of the tank too badly.
I really appreaciate that table pic. That looks badass and gives me some inspiration.
If you want the shiny fresh stamped look, use soda blasting or paint stripper. Of the 2, paint stripper is a true PITA and may start slow going through the urethane layer...but it will eventually work.
If you want a brushed metal look, then sanding or other abrasive turning media will give it to you.
If you want dull, even grey metal, then sand blast it.
Just to say, I had the tank from my previous Low Rider painted at a local auto body shop for $275. They sanded it down and put down a gorgeous vivid black paint job. I slipped the painter a 20 before the job and asked him to take care of me, and he sure did.
I pulled the tank, drained it, pulled the dash, gauge and cap off, but left the internals. He also baked it twice so it was pretty much good to go, but I waited a week indoors since it was winter. But now that its hot where you are, you should be good the day you get it.
Just make sure they mask right up to the dip just outside the gas fill. Don't paint inside it.
I don't know if $300 is in your budget, and that's NY pricing too, but if you can spend it, you can look better then new. Here it is before I badged it.
If you want the shiny fresh stamped look, use soda blasting or paint stripper. Of the 2, paint stripper is a true PITA and may start slow going through the urethane layer...but it will eventually work.
If you want a brushed metal look, then sanding or other abrasive turning media will give it to you.
If you want dull, even grey metal, then sand blast it.
I think I'm going for the brushed look. Thanks for the info bro.
Just to say, I had the tank from my previous Low Rider painted at a local auto body shop for $275. They sanded it down and put down a gorgeous vivid black paint job. I slipped the painter a 20 before the job and asked him to take care of me, and he sure did.
I pulled the tank, drained it, pulled the dash, gauge and cap off, but left the internals. He also baked it twice so it was pretty much good to go, but I waited a week indoors since it was winter. But now that its hot where you are, you should be good the day you get it.
Just make sure they mask right up to the dip just outside the gas fill. Don't paint inside it.
I don't know if $300 is in your budget, and that's NY pricing too, but if you can spend it, you can look better then new. Here it is before I badged it.
Thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to paint it, but I'm going to wait until the winter. I don't want to miss any riding time during the warm months.
But the price guide is great because it gives me a range to shoot for. Thanks again
Thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to paint it, but I'm going to wait until the winter. I don't want to miss any riding time during the warm months.
But the price guide is great because it gives me a range to shoot for. Thanks again
You got it man, good luck! Be sure and show us how it turns out!
I'm undertaking this task today. First thing is to remove the vinyl wrap. I'll be the first to admit I'm a rookie vinyl wrapper. In fact I've only done it three times. All of those times were in the last two months.
When I was removing the vinyl wrap some of the factory clear coat came off of with the wrap. It could be my inexperience though so keep that in mind. Here's a pic of some places where the clear coat came off with the wrap:
The next step was to remove the tank and start stripping. I ended up using one of those paint stripper wheels on my axle grinder. This really did make this job easy. I had the tank stripped in about an hour.
I only needed one disk for the job, but it was done after I was finished. Anyone doing this might want to buy two disks just in case.
That's all for now. I'm still working on it, but here's a mock up pic :
Last edited by SquishyLowRider; Jun 10, 2016 at 11:57 AM.
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Stripping late model tank
