Powder coating a virgin fuel tank

[Tito]

Who has powder coated a new M/C tank? New, as in NOS, but kinda dented (dime-size). Not bad dents, but there. I tried getting at the dents, but can't pull 'em out. I am new to powder coating, just got a garage sale kitchen oven, then a kit through eastwood. The tank has never had gas in it, is stripped to bare clean metal, and I was wondering if any body filler will hold up in the process. 350* for 30 minutes to cure the powder. I am using Rage Gold filler. I can easily take it off, but what about the dents? I dont have a stud welder to pull the dents, but want it smooth. I want it p-coated, for all the plusses it has, but also want a nice smooth coat.

Any Suggestions?

PS, I am also posting this on the HAMB.

Later, Erron

[singledownloop]

i know you can buy body filler made to withstand the heat of the powder coating process,it might be called lab metal i can't remember for sure.Regular filler will not work.

[Broman]

It's called metal to metal. And it is a two part mix that can be spread like putty.



My suggestion here is that you get that tank in PERFECT shape before you ever let any powder near it.

I had a buddy who powder coated his tank and it looked like shit. The only reason why he even tried to do it was to save money (a long story, but lets just say that we could sneak in project at work and get them coated for free, as long as we bought our own powder)...after trying to strip the powder coating off by hand (i.e. sanding it) he realized that powder coating doesn't have a reputation for being tough for no reason. He got so tired of sanding on it (and the two fenders) that he realized he was going to have to get help. He ended up taking it to a chemical dipper to get the job done. Ohh and he didn't learn his lesson there.....

Tried again and did a better job of body work, but......still looked amateur. So you guessed it, back to the chem dip....

Think this is the end? nope.

One more try, one more chem dip.

Finally, he had already spend wayyyyy more money than he wanted - so what the hell right? He got a professional body man to finish the body work and got a professional painter to do the powder coat.

Done.





......Now how many mechanics out there have a similar story about a guy trying to save a buck, only to end up doing it over....then finding out that if you'd have just done it right the first time you would have saved your time AND money (in the long run).

[Dirk_Laguna]

I had the tank and fenders on an 81 XS650 sand-blasted & powder coated an off-white....ended up with a slight orange peel....

[Tha Nutz]

The stuff you want is called Devco. Irish Rich also uses something else, I can't recall the name, maybe he will respond. I have never used the stuff myself, but my understanding is that it works pretty much the same as bondo.

I would also echo the sentiment of others, I would get the metal as close to perfect as possible. The powder won't hid many imperfections, if any.

Who has powder coated a new M/C tank? New, as in NOS, but kinda dented (dime-size). Not bad dents, but there. I tried getting at the dents, but can't pull 'em out. I am new to powder coating, just got a garage sale kitchen oven, then a kit through eastwood. The tank has never had gas in it, is stripped to bare clean metal, and I was wondering if any body filler will hold up in the process. 350* for 30 minutes to cure the powder. I am using Rage Gold filler. I can easily take it off, but what about the dents? I dont have a stud welder to pull the dents, but want it smooth. I want it p-coated, for all the plusses it has, but also want a nice smooth coat.

Any Suggestions?

PS, I am also posting this on the HAMB.

Later, Erron

[scott]

They claim that lab metal will hold powder coat. I used the stuff before as a spot filler. make sure you get the reducer they sell with it and work fast. You could also probably use lead.
I can see the look on your ol' ladys face when you pull a tank out of her oven
:eek:

[BigDdy31]

On a different note, have you tried losing the filler and going with a 'paintless' dent repair joint? I hear that they can do small, fairly round damage really well and that would enable you to powdercoat the whole thing if you wanted.

[Tito]

Thanks for all the replies. I am gonna check out one of the painless dent guys to see what they say before anything. They claim they can do "magic", and most of the ads I see are satisfaction guaranteed. I'll let you all know if it works out in case anyone is in the same situation.
Erron

[lorin tlb]

yo a rod,

my ex girlfreind's dad owns dent magic in sacramento. i also have delt with advanced auto cosmetics on fair oaks blvd, and they hooked it up (kuz i was dealing with custom shit). get back at me........late lorin