What about plating the inside of the tank...

[81xsproject]

I saw this tin-zinc plating kit on Eastwood and wondered if it could be done to protect the inside of the gas tank...?

[crazy steve]

I kinda doubt it.... I know that at least some types of plating doesn't like to 'flow' into nooks and crannies without 'fixturing', which would be all-but-impossible inside the tank. So you probably wouldn't get very much or any plate in the corners/seams. Getting the metal 100% clean may be an issue too.

At $70, a semi-expensive experiment...

'78E original owner

[natemoen]

Along the same line, what about a chrome or a ceramic coating on the inside, I like this idea....

[crazy steve]

I know chrome won't go well into recesses without fixturing, so I don't think any sort of plating process would work. Ceramic is an idea, but would the thin tank metal take the cure heat?

One possibilty would be hot-dip galvanizing; most larger towns will have a fab shop that can do this if you can talk them into dipping a used gas tank. Cleanliness isn't as critical, but the big downside would probably be you'd end up with a fully galvanized tank, both inside and outside. Paint doesn't stick too well to zinc. And again, you may have an issue with the heat involved (420 degrees minimum, probably need more for good 'flow').

'78E original owner

[Geezer]

I've heard from some restorers that they have tanks dipped in molten tin. This leaves the tank coated inside and out and also fills in tiny rust pin holes. It is supposed to work very well but is also expensive. I think it's around $200 a tank...

Geezer

[perurider]

I think it would be hard to get completely sealed, and like someone else said, a 70 dollar maybe, is that stuff impenetrable to gas? Theres an ad in those 'Walneck' motorcycle want ad mags that advertise a plastic lining for vintage bikes.

[Brent]

Tank sealer

I saw this tin-zinc plating kit on Eastwood and wondered if it could be done to protect the inside of the gas tank...?

This stuff works. Easy to use.

Caswell Inc. - Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer
Plating - electroplating - anodizing - powder coating. Do it yourself with plating kits from Caswell Inc. Selling chrome - nickel - cadmium - brass - gold - silver ...
www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm - Cached

[cywelchjr]

How about a nice triple chrome plating job? I think it would look nice, but you would have to get the tank perfect first. And it would be a trip fabbing and chrome plating a set of side covers to go with it. Wouldn't want to ride it on a sunny day though. But I still think it would look cool , although maybe with a standard tank you would want to scuff up all but the insets and paint the rest with just the insets left chrome. It would take a perfect tank to pull it off though.

[Ken Talbot]

Blast from the past! Back in high school, a buddy had a Matchless 500 with a chrome tank. Now that was a pretty bike! Too bad he launched if off a steep bank.

[mro]

I used this on a tank last year.



Holding up well so far and chee ... less XSpensive than other coatings.

[rover]

plating

Back in the 60's, a guy from my home town had a completely chromed Triumph cycle. Really sharp.

[81xsproject]

If I had to use a chemical epoxy, it would probably br the POR15 kit.