| Author | Message | ||
     Drauff |
Hey all I just had my tank repainted and it is bubbling up. I have seen that others have had this problem and wondered what the solution is? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Extended cure time is the best option, there is also a prescribed paint process that helps promote good adhesion... but you've gotta let it cure completely or it will bubble. Water slide decals under the paint, or vinyl decals, will also bubble up, regardless of the paint process or cure time. | ||
| Jolly |
I have a black manta tank repainted by a buddy of mine that used an aircraft grade primer with an epoxy base. It sat for about 6 months before I mounted it. This was not on purpose, it just worked out that way. I've had fuel in it for about 4 years (longer?) and it only has on ever small bubble on the low side, probably a spot of impurities. The rest of the tank is really holding up nicely. Loooong cure times as stated! | ||
| Drauff |
I was suspecting that there may be a special process for the paint. It seemed to start after sitting in the sun. Thought it was because the tank was expanding. | ||
| Dannybuell |
good luck! the tanks are plastic the fuel vapors 'gas out' through the tank. The bubbles are the result of paint getting in the way. long cure times for every step in the process; primer to paint is 100% excellent advice for metal. Plastics gas out and fiberglass drinks/shrinks both will benefit to some degree from long cure times. Steel expands and shrinks too but not so much. I have heard body shop stories about the fix being unnoticeable only to have it stand out when there was a shift in temperature. would you consider plasti-dip? https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php?gclid=CNbs0Luc 478CFWELMgodyUwAMQ or 'wraps' https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-insta nt&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=vehicle%20wraps%20louis ville%20kentucky | ||
| Lake_bueller |
When I had my S1W tank painted, the guy at the body shop did some research for me regarding the gassing and plastic paints. He used a sealing primer coat to prevent the out-gassing from the tank. 9 years later and not a bubble. | ||
| General_ulysses |
I know gasoline vapors seeping through the tank is the popular theory for why the tank paint often bubbles. Personally I don't buy it. My research reveals the original bubbling problem (from the factory) was an issue for the decals only, not the paint. Although I have seen pics of select factory tanks where the paint itself blistered off (I think on S1W's), but for most all other models/years it was the decals only. I have two early Buell S1 tanks which exhibit this exact type of bubbling (decal only). Turns out Buell originally used an epoxy primer, which is likely what is needed for proper adhesion to the plastic tank. After the repaint, I would also advise painting the logo on using a stencil instead of using decals. Take a look at these posts to learn about the required paints to have the job done correctly: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/735229.html http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/3 16370.html?1194328096 | ||
| Screamer |
Bubbling the decal was more prevalent, but severe bubbling beyond the decal also occurred. I have two factory painted S3 tanks, the original and a new replacement from my 99. Both blistered at and beyond the decal. | ||
| Drauff |
Thanks Guys. I had a painter look at it yesterday and he seems to think that its impurities on the surface. just from the location of the bubbles |
