Shop recommendation tank restoration

jjeff441 · Apr 19, 2011

Hello, I have a 72 Norton fiberglass tank that I would like to save. Having looked at Norvil alloy ($$$ and aluminium would chemically react to ethanol gas) have decided to attempt to save mine. Have done some research, if I use a good sealer (e.g. caswells) and run premium gas I should be ok. This tank has sat for many years, so has not been compromised w ethanol fuel.

What I need to find is a shop that will treat the tank inside. From reading the instructions you use acetone; I don't know where to source this, or where to recycle it when I'm done. Has anyone had success with this? I will leave the original decals & pinstripe on; if the seal is successful my painter will use them for a stencil. Just seal the inside of the tank, and new petcocks. thx

bwolfie · Apr 19, 2011

Here we go again. If you search the posts you will find an endless debate about the installation and longevity of tank sealers. The short of it is they don't work. Some people have had luck, but for the most part no. The best way to seal it is cut the bottom out, clean and tooth the inside, cover with an ethanol resistant resin, and reassemble wet with resin, leaving the inside completly coated. If there is any void in the resin at any point it will eventually fail.

shrugger · Apr 19, 2011

Read above.
But he forgot mention that vinyl resin is resistant. Acetone is commonly used as nail polish remover.
It can be found by the pint in the lady's isle at your local drugstore.

AltaNorton · Apr 19, 2011

Hey there, I am in your exact situation. I started this thread that you might want to look through, if it doesn't bore you too much. Some guys know quite a bit about this stuff as you will find out in the thread, however I can't say I know too much. Just what the guys on the forum have tought me. And they, with the help of my dad, have taught me everything I know about Nortons and their uniqueness.

fiberglass-tank-fix-t8869.html?hilit=Fiberglass%20tank%20fix

Matt

jjeff441 · Apr 20, 2011

Hi, well thanks for the comments. I am not debating whether or not to attempt this, as I stated I am going to try to save the tank. The reason I'm not going to have it "restored" or painted is it may or may not work.

Does anybody know a shop that does this work? thanks

shrugger · Apr 20, 2011

It'll work if done correctly :wink:

Otherwise, I'm not sure what he uses. But I've not heard any complaints.
http://www.fueltankservices.com/

cmessenk · Apr 20, 2011

bwolfie said:
The short of it is they don't work.

I know this is another, never ending debate topic, but I"m going on three years, original Dunstall tank, Caswell treatment.

jjeff441 said:
From reading the instructions you use acetone

Not sure what the difference would be, but I used lacquer thinner instead of acetone...based on a personal email I recieved from Mike Caswell

cmessenk · Apr 20, 2011

shrugger said:
It'll work if done correctly :wink:

Totally agree with this statement. It's not easy to do the Caswell application CORRECTLY. Cleaning with drywall screws / lacquer thinner, careful mixing of Caswell products, slow, slow, slow turning of tank during application, visualizing the coating in the ridge areas, 2nd coat an hour or so later when 1st coat is still tacky, let it dry for a couple of weeks.

gtsun · Apr 20, 2011

Hey shrugger I have talked to George at Fuel Tank Services in Florida but I've never seen his work or talked to anyone who has. Have you had him do work for you or seen his sealed tanks???

shrugger · Apr 20, 2011

Nope. Only lack of complaining. I'll take that as a good sign.

gtsun · Apr 20, 2011

Well I guess lack of complaints is good but I would like to talk to at least one person who used them. He sure can talk and praise his own work a lot & seems to know his stuff. I can't understand the scientific lingo but a friend who has a degree in Organic chemistry amongst other things talked to him for two (2) hours about his preporation and sealing procedure. I am tempted to send my Prody tank to him.

shrugger · Apr 21, 2011

It's interesting that he uses electolysis to remove the rust. He's kinda vague though beyond that.
No clue what he does about fiberglass. :|

gtsun · Apr 21, 2011

I get the same (vague) thing. That's why I have been thinking about it, not acting on it.

jjeff441 · Apr 21, 2011

Good then, sent off an enquiry to fuel tank services to see if they work on glass fiber tanks.

otherwise I'll try to source a used Commando steel tank from the UK. sounds expensive. cheers

T95 · Apr 21, 2011

shrugger said:
Read above.
But he forgot mention that vinyl resin is resistant. Acetone is commonly used as nail polish remover.
It can be found by the pint in the lady's isle at your local drugstore.

I have never had a problem sourcing Acetone at my local hardware store. I would think Orchard Supply, ACE, Home Depot or Lowe's should have it.
The stuff is and highly flammable and will probably evaporate before you can recycle it. Make sure your in a well ventilated area both downhill and down wind of any source of ignition!

gtsun · Apr 21, 2011

Jjeff441, They (he) do work on Glass tanks. According to him he has a proven fail proof method of sealing ALL types of tanks against the miserable stuff we have in new gas but I'm just skeptical, and you won't really know if it's ok for a lot of miles. There is the risk of crapp getting into the motor or carbs & that scares me.

jjeff441 · Apr 22, 2011

Hi, yes I did get a reply. He works on fiberglass tanks, and offers a lifetime guarantee so I will send it along.

I'm not a chemist, or a professional mechanic (although my last two projects turned out well..) From my understanding, polysulphide sealers are impervious to alcohol bearing fuels; use of a filled novalac sealer, with proper prior preparation, and sticking to super unleaded (5% ethanol) should be ok. So lets give it a try, I just won't paint the tank until sure the tank seal/treatment is good. Preparation is key, and he offers a warranty - I am going to use the shop. cheers

Ron L · Apr 22, 2011

lifetime guarantee

I'm not commenting on whether or not this process will work, but keep in mind that the warranty is to repair the tank or refund the cost of the initial coating. This will be minor compared to the cost of repairing/replacing the carbs, valves, guides, etc.

I'll be anxious to know how this works out.

gtsun · Apr 23, 2011

Anxious, that's a good chooise of word. When he told me he gives a "lifetime garentee" I was all over it, then I stopped to think about the conditions. Let's say three, no two, no let's say One year down the road your carb (s) are plugged & gummy valves sticking etc etc but last to show it's ugly head is a few bubbles in the paint. You have a expensive mess on your hands & he may... I said may cover the cost of sealing the tank but I don't think he's going to pay for the motor work. Not to mention that most people won't bother calling in the warrentee. He wins! This is my thinking that his system WILL work for a race bike for years, or a daily used street bike for a couple. I wish I had more faith.

swooshdave · Apr 23, 2011

Just found a couple stations within reasonable distance that sell alcohol-free fuel. Will be picking some up today. Mostly for the Bultacos, which do not like the alcohol. At all. Might be the fiberglass tanks.

Shop recommendation tank restoration

Similar threads