Author Topic: plastic tank resto  (Read 1977 times)

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zman

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plastic tank resto
« on: February 17, 2009, 06:12:05 pm »
gday ihave an rm tank that has the usual petrol and discolored look so whats the best way to get it back to the bright yellow again i tried soaking it in bleach over night but it didnt work that well cheers :)

Offline RM Ted

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2009, 06:16:11 pm »
A LIGHT SAND, THEN USE 800 OR HIGHER WET AND DRY. POLISH WITH JIF OR BUDDY. WORKS FOR ME.
1978 rm 125 x 3
1981 rm 125
1987 rm 125

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2009, 06:47:10 pm »
Welcome zman. This has been discussed a fair bit already in 'tech talk' or maybe 'bike talk' You should be able to find some useful info there or issue 33 of VMX.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VMX-Vintage-Motocross-Dirt-Bike-Magazine-Issue-33_W0QQitemZ110262913744QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media

In short you sand and then polish, but depending how bad it is to start with you might need to start with scaping some layers of plastic off with a blade. If its stained dont expect or hope to get it all out because you most likely wont be able to. If you need a better tank for a concourse resto then look for a better tank to start off with. Its all time and elbow grease.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2009, 07:08:01 pm by LWC3077 »
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

zman

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2009, 06:56:06 pm »
yeah its not to bad just discolored ive done yz tanks there not to bad but been yellow i just thought there was a different way to go about it

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2009, 07:03:13 pm »
not really. I have heard people dry bleaching on white tanks but say its not good for coloured tanks, but i have also known people that siad bleaching a white tank didnt work for them either. if you go to the tech talk section  here

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=4749.0

you will find some discussion about UV treatment. i dont know much about that though. Apparantly a place in USA does it, but i think its only for white tanks aswell.

theres no real quick easy fix other than to get a new tank

Clarke in USA make brand new yellow RM tanks.

http://www.clarkemfg.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CM&Product_Code=11347&Category_Code=suzuki

http://www.clarkemfg.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CM&Product_Code=11347&Category_Code=suzuki

BTW yellow suzuki plastics respond very well to Jif
« Last Edit: February 17, 2009, 07:09:08 pm by LWC3077 »
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline lukeb1961

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2009, 07:10:36 pm »

zman

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Re: plastic tank resto
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2009, 11:15:35 pm »
ok looks like i have to go do some sanding thanks for your help i will post a pic when ive finished the bike whitch isnt far away. at last :)