Cheap tank respray - 1980 gsx250e

[ukjules]

Small project to respray my rusted gsx250e tank.

Tank had surface rust spots all over it and rust on the seems. Had to treat the rust so
had to get it back to metal and respray (on a budget)

- Screwfix paint stripper left overnight works well
- heat gun on decals
- another overnight treatment of paint stripper
- rubbed down with 120/180/350
- gonna leave the minor dents as sentimental value
- 4 coats primer (basic halfords grey and white)

Will continue in a few days when i rub down the primer for basecoat
(I got the right blue colour )

 

[ukjules]

down to bare metal - using paint stripper and grit paper on drill
- wipe over with brake cleaner (i havnt got any panel wipe and brake cleaner works well at this stage)

 

[ukjules]

in primer in kitchen to dry for few days - then rub down to glass finish for basecoat

 

[steve murdoch]

Curing primer in the kitchen? You must be single. haha.
I love the shape of those tanks. Similar to the ones we got in North America for the GS400S

 

[ukjules]

Forgot to swill a splash of 30% phosphoric acid
around inside of tank when treating outside.
taped off petcock opening and added a butter carton
amount of acid and swilled around. empty. then a
4 pint milk carton of water to neutralise. then
hair dryer to dry out.

I had treated my tank few years ago but needed
a re doing.

be ready for rubbing down tomorrow .

 

[Guest]

Forgot to swill a splash of 30% phosphoric acid
around inside of tank when treating outside.
taped off petcock opening and added a butter carton
amount of acid and swilled around. empty. then a
4 pint milk carton of water to neutralise. then
hair dryer to dry out.

I had treated my tank few years ago but needed
a re doing.

be ready for rubbing down tomorrow .
View attachment 59161

What does this treat for? Corrosion? Gunk build up?

 

[ukjules]

phosphoric acid converts rust .... to soming
... I dont have my notes but it kills off rust.
it works superbly as I have used it on all.my bikes.

I use a mixture of caustic soda and another acid to clear out
gunk etc. but didn't need to do it again on this tank.

----'
just got price from.image works for decals.
48?

- tomorrow after 2 days drying I rub down primer coats

 

[ukjules]

after 2 days in warm.kitchen drying ,
sanded down primer for basecoat.

600/800 making sure surface doesn't dry out.
(need surface to be smooth like glass.

process opens bare metal areas so need to
apply light coats of primer again and then after
24hs gently sand prior to basecoat.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Personally, I think your're missing the opportunity to fill the dents. But that's just me. I guess there's something to be said for the "sentimental value" to you, but I'd fix 'em. Just my $.02.

 

[ukjules]

All my bikes have such sentimental value
and on two (the rd250 and the gsx) it
is impossible for me to sell them and the dents
remind me of being young ......
the gs and 750 dont have any dents.

Bikes that I dont care about I'd plaster with
filler but not these. (I dont possess anymore bikes
that dont have a story to tell)

Anyway set now for basecoat tomorrow and ordering the decals
back to original 1980 ones.

rd tank done a month ago in same cheapo way.

 

[ukjules]

4 coats of blue. (correct shade from rsbikepaints.)
will leave for a week in kitchen now.

plan:
-drycoat of clearcoat (this directly over paint as is - no sanding etc)
-decals on (ordered)
- 3 - 4 coats clearcoat (I do one normal drycoat and 3 of petrol resistant clesrcoat)
then - sanding down wet and dry / cutting paste / polish

so it still wont be finished for 2 weeks.

 

[gbw]

Lovely color. Nice work!

 

[ukjules]

I'll take that when its finished..... plenty
more steps to balls this up .... but I'm on track.

I will add my.method of decals into my post .
It worked so well on my RD250.
next week sometime I'll do that as I dont spack on the
drying phase .

 

[ukjules]

Whilst waiting for the decals had time to
recondituon and save my trusty old wheelbarrow.
rub down , rust treatment , hammerite smooth.

 

[Grimly]

Whilst waiting for the decals had time to
recondituon and save my trusty old wheelbarrow.
rub down , rust treatment , hammerite smooth.

View attachment 59226

When you're on a roll...

 

[salty_monk]

They don't have Hammerite here...

 

[hampshirehog]

They don't have Hammerite here...

We don't have 'proper' Hammerite any more. They toned it down a few years ago because of the volatiles. Still ok paint for brushing on to rusty old metal though.

 

[ukjules]

Wheelbarrow project:
(while I wait for decals next week for gsx tank)

I should add i did get rid of loose rust and then
treat with phosphoric acid and then use the
hammerite.
I simply had to save my old barrow . it is now
on light duties only .

 

[ukjules]

GSX fuel tank :

drycoat. (a thin spray of clearcoat prior to
decal fixing)
Not much different .... yet.
decals next week !

then
3* petrol res clearcoat
- leave a week to harden
sand 2000 wet and dry
cutting paste
polish

 

[ukjules]

continuing:

had a drycoat of clearcoat
added decals. went perfectly.

need to use the wet method. water , 2 drops washing up liquid,
in spray bottle. spray underneath of decal so you can
adjust.
I put masking tape to follow with pen marks on.