Tank liner
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Joined: Jan 2023
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From: Ca
Tank liner
Hello everyone.
I recently purchased a 1988 FLSTC that had been sitting for about 6/7 years, the gas tank was dry and I noticed the tank lining was peeling, I pulled out a couple of pieces the size of potato chips and put them in acetone to see if it would dissolve. they have been socking for more than 8 hours and still did not dissolve. Anyone know what to do, or use to get that crap out. Or do I have to shrink myself and belt sand the inside?
Any help would be great, Bob
I recently purchased a 1988 FLSTC that had been sitting for about 6/7 years, the gas tank was dry and I noticed the tank lining was peeling, I pulled out a couple of pieces the size of potato chips and put them in acetone to see if it would dissolve. they have been socking for more than 8 hours and still did not dissolve. Anyone know what to do, or use to get that crap out. Or do I have to shrink myself and belt sand the inside?
Any help would be great, Bob
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
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From: San Diego, CA
I did that several years ago to my 2001 bike....
At that time my research revealed several options, to include:
A couple of shops who would clean, remove the old liner, and reline the tank. That was pretty expensive...
A few "kits" that sold a liner/paint remover and new liner paint.
I found out that even the most popular paint liners had complaints of it failing shortly after being relined...
I opted to use the most basic method. That was to empty the tank, clean out the old liner as best as possible... then put small birdshot in the tank. You then agitate the tank so the shot rolls around, dislodging any loose/failing liner. There are some pretty ingenious methods for that if you do some searching.
You clean out the shot and rinse out the tank.... You put the tank back together and use it without any liner in the tank.
I did that to my 2001 Springer in 8/2018. It was new to me at that time...
I am going on 4 years with no liner and no issues... There's no rust buildup, and any parts where the bird shot didn't remove the tank liner, it's still adhering to the tank.
Good luck with your decision...
At that time my research revealed several options, to include:
A couple of shops who would clean, remove the old liner, and reline the tank. That was pretty expensive...
A few "kits" that sold a liner/paint remover and new liner paint.
I found out that even the most popular paint liners had complaints of it failing shortly after being relined...
I opted to use the most basic method. That was to empty the tank, clean out the old liner as best as possible... then put small birdshot in the tank. You then agitate the tank so the shot rolls around, dislodging any loose/failing liner. There are some pretty ingenious methods for that if you do some searching.
You clean out the shot and rinse out the tank.... You put the tank back together and use it without any liner in the tank.
I did that to my 2001 Springer in 8/2018. It was new to me at that time...
I am going on 4 years with no liner and no issues... There's no rust buildup, and any parts where the bird shot didn't remove the tank liner, it's still adhering to the tank.
Good luck with your decision...
Last edited by hattitude; Jan 18, 2023 at 04:47 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,019
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From: Black Hills of SD
Similar method for me fixed a rusted tank on one of my Yamaha's insides and it looked like new and still does. I used couple big handfuls of nails, and it cleaned the inside spotless. I know it is not exactly the same apples-two-apples to the liner material, but just to give you the idea of friction and agitation. That along with a non-flammable liquid base of your choice. Removed with a magnet when done.
I would not re-coat it when cleaned. More harm than good comes from the after-the-fact liners.
I would not re-coat it when cleaned. More harm than good comes from the after-the-fact liners.
Last edited by MarlinSpike; Jan 19, 2023 at 09:13 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 1,469
From: Black Hills of SD
I'm in the process of doing some work on my bike and after draining the tank, I took a peak inside and it looked like bare metal around the transfer/connector drain port. So when I go in further, I may be doing the same thing to mine. Great - one more thing on the list.
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From: Ca
Worked great, took it a little further. One tank was worse than the other, filled it with about 2000 BB's, put a bucket in the opening of my cement mixer, rapped the tank with a bunch of towels, put it in the bucket, strapped it in with bungee cords turned the cement mixer horizontally and let it run for a good hour. Turned all that liner into really small flakes. basically did a internal tumbling, worked perfect.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,925
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From: The 1980's
Worked great, took it a little further. One tank was worse than the other, filled it with about 2000 BB's, put a bucket in the opening of my cement mixer, rapped the tank with a bunch of towels, put it in the bucket, strapped it in with bungee cords turned the cement mixer horizontally and let it run for a good hour. Turned all that liner into really small flakes. basically did a internal tumbling, worked perfect.
It makes me wonder if there was a reason for the tank to be lined in the past? I've heard many stories about HD's Tank Creem peeling over time.
Several years ago I bought a new tank from J&P because the previous tank had the same issue with peeling liner. My paint guy swears by Caswell tank liner and took it to someone who did a rotisserie treatment with the Caswell before painting. I'm at 7 or 8 years of use so far with this tank and there's been no problems.
Last edited by 2goldens; Jan 31, 2023 at 06:24 AM.
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