fiberglass tank fix

jnstrong · Jul 16, 2010

I just got spiffy new (to me) fiberglass roadster tank, the first order of business is sealing it.

But right around the filler neck on one side, where tank meets neck, the paint is bubled up. It is merely a cosmetic issue, but one that I think will get worse if not dealt with.

anyone out there have any good ideas how to seal these bubles up so gas can't get under it and wreck havoc on my new tank?

a thought I had was cut them open with an exacto knife and inject some of the tank sealer in the area and all around the neck to ensure a good seal.

-john

rvich · Jul 16, 2010

If it were on my boat, I would grind the blister, clean it well with acetone and use a good quality resin to fill it. This of course ruins the finish, but the blisters probably have gas in them (or water) or they wouldn't be there.

batrider · Jul 16, 2010

I have 2 fiberglass tanks, but.... I bit the bullet and bought an eBay metal tank for a decent price. Too many conflicting stories - maybe it all comes down to the prep - but I wanted to put the issue to bed and not have to worry about it. I'm waiting for the technology to take a giant leap forward. I think it is a losing battle right now.

Russ

JimC · Jul 16, 2010

but I wanted to put the issue to bed and not have to worry about it.

Same here. I bought an aluminum Roadster tank from Waldridge . $395.00, suitable for painting only, with some work. Not suitable for polishing.

DogT · Jul 17, 2010

Does that Walridge tank use the original flip cap? The patterns have seen seem to stick way up past the tank and look like crap. Got a picture?

Dave
69S

JimC · Jul 19, 2010

DogT · Jul 19, 2010

Thanks Jim,

That is what I thought, looks good except for that gas cap. Looks like the exhaust flapper on my John Deere 2020 except it's not rusty. Why can't they make the cap bottom flush with the tank like the originals, or is is there some mechanical reason for the metal tanks?

Dave
69S

gtsun · Jul 19, 2010

I think they use the Monza type caps because it is less work. Our Ceandes caps are inset and that would be a lot more work to fabricate. I suppose you could have one modifide with a typical Norton type cap for a "ph" nominal fee.

JimC · Jul 19, 2010

A proper custom aluminum Roadster tank is almost three times what the Waldridge one is. I thought I'd give this one a try. It took about a quart of All Metal™ filler (most on the ground) and a fair amount of patience. Turned out pretty well. BTW, it passed a pressure check. It sure beats the lined fiberglass tanks. I've been distracted since I did the filler work and haven't painted it yet.

I believe Mike said it is made in Canada.

boz · Jul 20, 2010

I just went to the waldridge web site and in thier catalog they list an alloy tank for norton roadster for $638.
Am I missing something here?

rvich · Jul 20, 2010

Call Waldridge, they might have some left. Mike wasn't real happy with these tanks, so decided to get them out the door and bargain prices and be done with them. I am paraphrasing, but that is the tail as closely as I recall.

Russ

JimC · Jul 20, 2010

IIRC, the Waldridge web site didn't list the $395.00 tank. I believe I called them. Let me warn you, these tanks are not for everyone. Mine took some work to get it into shape for painting. The big pluses are that it's aluminum and relatively cheap and not from Pakistan. Mike told me I could return it if I wasn't satisfied.

fiberglass tank fix

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