Author Topic: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank  (Read 4347 times)

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Offline Mike52

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Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« on: July 20, 2010, 06:56:45 pm »
Hi . I,ve got a 86 plastic tank and was wondering if anybody has successfully cleaned one of these up.
The tank is still white under the tank badges which leads me to the belief that this is a outside problem.
IE sunlight or the like.
If it was fuel then under the badge would be the same colour.
I have seen these tanks painted and am not real keen .
Have also seen tanks for sale out of US that are nowhere as bad as mine.
Any ideas? :)
85/400WR,86/240WR,72/DKW125,Pe250c,TC90,TS100,XT250,86/SRX250,XR400r
Friend  struggling up a hill on a old bike at MTMee .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjj6E2MP9xU.

Offline PEZBerq

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2010, 08:02:14 pm »
Hi Mike
I have improved an 84 white plastic tank by scraping it with a stanley knife blade(s) to remove the surface layer of staining and discolouration. Then followed up with sanding using various grades of wet and dry in soapy water.  Polish with Jiff.  LWC from this forum wrote a good article in VMX on how to do this.  I can send you a copy if you dont have it. 
It improved it heaps but the Acerbis white plastic never resisted the fuel pigment very well and most are stained a brown colour.  I was lucky to subsequently locate a good tank without staining off eBay.  Also once cleaned up drain the fuel after every ride.
I tried bleaching with White King but it didnt make any real difference except for accidentally splashing bleach on some of the wifes clothes in the laundry ---ouch :P :P
Husqvarnas: 78 390AMX, 82 430XC, 84 240WR, 84 500AE, 84 510TE, 87 510TE

Offline Mike52

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2010, 08:32:20 pm »
Ta . If you can find it I would appreciate a copy.
How come it,s still white under the badge? ???
Was wondering how a electric skotchbrite and Jiff would go. :)
85/400WR,86/240WR,72/DKW125,Pe250c,TC90,TS100,XT250,86/SRX250,XR400r
Friend  struggling up a hill on a old bike at MTMee .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjj6E2MP9xU.

Offline PEZBerq

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2010, 08:49:57 pm »
Will copy and email.  PM me your address.  Maybe it is the sunlight reacting with the fuel and causing the pigmentation? The staining on mine was definitely subsurface but got heaps better the more you scrapped away.
Husqvarnas: 78 390AMX, 82 430XC, 84 240WR, 84 500AE, 84 510TE, 87 510TE

Offline evo550

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2010, 08:57:35 pm »
I had the same problem with my '86, it was a fuel issue. The discolouration was right through the plastic.
Only option was to get a new sticker kit that covered the whole tank.
Sorted.




« Last Edit: July 20, 2010, 09:03:38 pm by evo550 »

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2010, 09:11:00 pm »
The badge blocks the fumes evaporating through so thats why it stays white underneath it. If the staining doesnt come out after scrapping a few mm's off the plastic then its right through and wont come out :(
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline Mike52

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2010, 09:37:28 pm »
Sweet looking bike that EVO. :)
That little cage over the waterpump must be factory, thought mine was home made. All brass.

Next problem .
Where can you get the badges? Mine cracked. :o
« Last Edit: July 20, 2010, 09:40:54 pm by Mike52 »
85/400WR,86/240WR,72/DKW125,Pe250c,TC90,TS100,XT250,86/SRX250,XR400r
Friend  struggling up a hill on a old bike at MTMee .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjj6E2MP9xU.

Offline Davey Crocket

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2010, 09:57:11 pm »
Yea, I think that is a choice looking bike aswell.
QVMX.....Australia's #1 VMX club......leading the way.

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2010, 10:14:23 pm »
If these places dont have them they might know who has got them

http://www.hva-factory.com
http://www.huskysalesuk.co.uk
http://www.husqvarna-parts.com
http://www.huskyjunk.com
http://www.vintagehusky.com
http://huskyrestoration.com
http://www.husky.com.au
http://www.huskyparts.com.au

plus there are heaps more specialists if you look. I just cant remember all of them

Also someone on here would know

http://www.cafehusky.com
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline Mike52

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2010, 01:05:59 pm »
You are a gem LW. Thanks :)
85/400WR,86/240WR,72/DKW125,Pe250c,TC90,TS100,XT250,86/SRX250,XR400r
Friend  struggling up a hill on a old bike at MTMee .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjj6E2MP9xU.

Offline Mike52

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2010, 08:38:20 am »
Will copy and email.  PM me your address.  Maybe it is the sunlight reacting with the fuel and causing the pigmentation? The staining on mine was definitely subsurface but got heaps better the more you scrapped away.
Ta Steve, got that ok. Got some work to do I guess.
If I hadn,t bought this bike I,d be bored I guess.
Oh and have some spare cash too. :)
85/400WR,86/240WR,72/DKW125,Pe250c,TC90,TS100,XT250,86/SRX250,XR400r
Friend  struggling up a hill on a old bike at MTMee .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjj6E2MP9xU.

Offline PEZBerq

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Re: Discolouration of 86 wr plastic tank
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2010, 08:34:47 pm »
No worries Mike.  Must admit I fitted large stickers that cover the whole tank also.  Bit like a rug - hides the ugly bits!
Husqvarnas: 78 390AMX, 82 430XC, 84 240WR, 84 500AE, 84 510TE, 87 510TE