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Topic 14173
Painting a plastic (polyethylene)
motorcycle gas tank?
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Ok... I am also looking for an answer to this question -
BUT - I own an old Armstrong/CCM with a plastic tank - that
the previous owner had successfully painted pure white, 3
years ago, and still looks like new - so... it IS definitely
possible.
John C [name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Bridgwater, Somerset, UK
March 4, 2006
Hello! I would suggest if you don't have to paint
plastic, don't paint them!!! They will look nice at first
then after awhile you will be wondering how do you take it
off (soak them in brake fluid over night, works like a
charm) Especially plastic tanks. You will find your tank
will start to sweat and eventually crack!!! From previous
experience!!! If it has heavy oxidation on it, take the time
to razor blade it, scrape it off. It is time consuming but
you will be more that happy with the results in the end!!!
Then sand them down with medium-fine sandpaper and work keep
using finer sandpaper. Then use a hard plastic conditioner
on them. They will shine like the day they were on the
showroom floor!!! Take care guys.
Korey L [name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Canada
April 6, 2006
My husband and his friend is going to try painting my
bike will let you know how it went. I have an old '82 Honda
Goldwing.
Lori W [name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Chariton, IA, USA
April 12, 2006
Last week I followed advice of using the Krylon paint, my
husband painted my motorcycle, which was sun faded black,
with black Krylon paint and misted over that with a car
paint that has metal specs. I have a '82 GL1100 Goldwing the
outer tank and fenders are plastic, so far so good, it's
just been about a week and we haven't buffed it yet though.
Will reply again if problems arise.
Lori W [name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Chariton, IA, USA
April 13, 2006
Painting my gas tank on my cr500 motocrosser was a pain,
like most of you here it peeled of about a week after
application, simply due to the vapours permeating through
the walls and causing it to bubble. Only way I could find
was to use fibreglass resin (mixed with pigment colour of
your choice, black in my case) with a couple of coats and a
good sanding/polish it looks lovely (and solid so it wont
bubble).
Simon T [name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Cambridge, England
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June 1, 2006
I have tried using the Krylon Fusion on a dirt bike fuel tank but
it peeled off. I'm guessing there needs to be some surface prep to
get the proper adhesion. I'd also like to spray all the plastics
(fenders and side panels) and am curious about flex cracks. One email
said to use a flexible primer like used on automotive bumpers. I
would like someone to clear up the confusion and misinformation and
provide a known workable solution! Thanks!
John W
[name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
Hobbyist - Dillsburg, PA
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Ed. note: Hi, John. We see no
'misinformation'. Several people told us what they tried it
and that it didn't work. Others said you might get paint to
stick if you are willing to do the difficult mechanical
prep, followed by flame prep, followed by dyne testing that
they detailed? Others proposed the compromise of switching
to bed lining material or resin instead of paint.
There are thousands of different
plastics, and Krylon Fusion works fine on some in some
applications, and not on others in other applications.
Similarly, some forums recommend
Bulldog Tie Coat [link is to product info at Amazon]
for plastic bumpers. But plastic gas tanks are a different
material than plastic bumpers, and a different application.
A dead simple method to guarantee adhesion for all plastics
under all conditions doesn't exist. Good luck :-)
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June 29, 2006
I have a 1988 Yamaha YZ 125 dirt bike with a factory finish on the
plastic fenders that peeled off. I bought two new plastic fenders at
the dealer and used 'plasti-coat' brand spray paint. This paint is
just designed for touch up work, but it has worked wonders on the new
fenders. I began by applying a VERY light mist of color to the
surface, let it dry for up to 10 minutes and repeated up to seven
coats. No problems yet and a great glossy finish.
Jamie C
[name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- North Hampton, NH
March 23, 2007
Just like everyone else I want to paint my Plastic fender, side
panels, etc, they are white, I would like them navy blue or black, I
think I'm going to try that Krylon paint, If it works it will look
sharp, my gas tank isn't plastic though, hmm.. I can probably find
something to work on that, what about the seat? haha, It's a ugly
light blue color, probably best to just leave it, but I would like it
black, maybe I can find one for not too much money or I can find a
cover for it... I'll post a pic in a month or 2 when It's looking
good.
btw it's a DR125SE
if for some reason I shouldn't do what I just stated, I'm bookmarking
this site so POST quick so I don't make a fool of myself...
Jake Burns
- Maine
May 2, 2007
I ran into the same issues that most of you have described in
regards to painting plastic. I have tried every technique. Bulldog
does not work well on PE. however, I have finally found a method that
works really well but its a bit expensive. I used PPG products;
started by cleaning and degreasing all plastic then lightly sanding
with 240 grit then 400. The plastic was then cleaned with soap and
water. I then applied 2 light coats of PPG plastic adhesion promoter
($45). Waited about and hour then applied 4-5 coats of PPG flat black
automotive paint ($50). It only takes about 10 minutes to dry so
applying 5 coats takes about an hour. Let is dry for 24 hours then
sand lightly with 400 grit and apply final PPG clear coat ($50) which
gives a little shine and a strong hard finish. It looks really good
and hasn't peeled off. The only problem is that your going to spend
about a $150. The paints come in quarts and you only need about 1/5
of it to do all the plastic.
Good luck
Cardounel
- Columbus, OH, USA
October 30, 2007
I've got an old Honda 200xr. I think that heating the plastic with
a gas flame or heat gun does restore the color. i just tried a little
test piece on my tank. one must be very careful not to get the
temperature too high and the tank has to be empty as well.
Richard Redecker
- windhoek, Namibia
November 21, 2007
The Only Answer To A Faded Plastic Tank Is NOT To Spray It, But To
Give It It's Original Colour Back!!
I Also Considered Spray, But The Bubbles "O" No!
Buy Yourself Or If You Have At Home A Bottle Of Brasso, You Know the
Thing You Clean Copper With! Yes! With A Sponge And Give That Tank
Some Elbow Greeze!
Believe Me It Works!!!!!!!!
Morne Wentzel
- South Africa
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January 8, 2008
PAINTING POLYETHYLENE OR PROPYLENE GAS TANKS AND
MOTORCYCLE PARTS "DOES NOT WORK" WHAT I DID WAS:
1. Sanding PE or PP really just moves the surface area
(fibres) of the plastic around, this is what we want, cause
where not trying to really remove material, but surface
condition it! What we want is kinda like a "fur" texture
after sanding, and to achieve this start with a 60 or 80
grit cloth backed quality sandpaper. I like wet dry stuff
myself. Ya have to do it by hand, electric sanders don't
work cause they are too fast and melt it. So go ahead and
sand the hell out of it, then move to next grit, maybe 100,
then 120, stop at 220. Should have that white "fur"
texture.
2. Run down to local tool store and grab a torch or a heat
gun (safest) cheap ass heat gun cost $24.95 (ask the clerk
to plug it in first, pretty cheap china one)
3. keeping a distance,start at bottom of tank (course empty
if first and allow fuel to flash) where you cant see it.
This is the "practice area", now heat that fur!!! ever so
gently,and wow, a new tank.
4. Buff with "Brasso copper polish". Acrylic bathtub polish
works good too!
enjoy.........
Don Healey
- Kelowna, BC, Canada
March 10, 2008
How to prep paint and gloss plastic 2006 yzf r6. I'm
getting a custom air brush job on my Yamaha r6 and I was
wondering if anyone could give me some directions.
Justin Evans
- Raymore, MO, USA
April 28, 2008
The trick for painting PE Gas tanks seems to be:
- Removing all the gas, cleaning the inside, and leaving the
tank out well ventilated in the sun for about 2 weeks, so
most of the fumes trapped in the plastic can leave the
material.
- The putting slow hardening "440" Epoxy on the *Inside*,
moving the tank around for about an hour to get a nice thick
layer, and then letting the rest drip out.
- Letting the epoxy harden out for about 2 days, also well
ventilated.
- Then painting it with car-bumper paint, which is rather
flexible and sticks to plastic.
Kind Regards
*Anna.
Anna McMillan
- Netherlands
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November 17, 2008
I have an 87 cr80r and I have had the plastics painted for about 2
months with Krylon Fusion. I have painted the gas tank, fenders, and
number plates. they havent bubbled yet.
Terry Morrison
- Peebles, Ohio, USA
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