Painting procedure for motorcycle fuel tank

A. It's probably cheaper, easier, and you'll get a better job if you just take it to an auto body shop to do the color. you can then concentrate your efforts on the airbrush artsy part.

A. I'll try my best to show you my process.

Start by sanding your gas tank to bare metal. I usually sandblast and fill in any cracks with metal filler, large holes I fill with Bondo [affil links] or fiberglass. I sand it down over and over until it's nice and smooth with 180 grit.

Next comes the primer. This is the part that I usually spend lots of time. I primer it with a think coat of primer, by giving it lots of coats and sanding in between. I give it at least 5 primer paints.

Finally I give it the base coat color. This I also paint multiple times and sand with 380 until its smooth.

This is when you can air brush and add your designs.

The secret to keeping from ruining your gas tank when you fuel for the first time is to add at least 3-4 coats of clear coat polymer paint. This gives it a nice clean clear glossy look.
good luck!