I recently bought a used but spotless Dark Monster. Last week I propped-up the tank for the first time and I noticed gasoline was leaking from the fuel cap because the tank was full. I immediately unpropped the tank and dried it with a paper towel.
Today, I took the bike for a ride and I noticed streaks in the paint from the gasoline that I wiped-up a week earlier. Once I returned from my ride, I washed the tank twice with soap and water, but the streaks still remain.
This is the first vehicle that I have owned with a matte finish. I had no idea that a matte finish was such a pain to maintain. This seems stupid to paint a motorcycle gas tank with a finish that can't hold up to an occasional splash of gasoline!
Could anyone tell me how to remove these streaks from the matte black paint on my Monster?
Quote from: sk8board on November 23, 2008, 06:19:39 PM
I recently bought a used but spotless Dark Monster. Last week I propped-up the tank for the first time and I noticed gasoline was leaking from the fuel cap because the tank was full. I immediately unpropped the tank and dried it with a paper towel.
Today, I took the bike for a ride and I noticed streaks in the paint from the gasoline that I wiped-up a week earlier. Once I returned from my ride, I washed the tank twice with soap and water, but the streaks still remain.
This is the first vehicle that I have owned with a matte finish. I had no idea that a matte finish was such a pain to maintain. This seems stupid to paint a motorcycle gas tank with a finish that can't hold up to an occasional splash of gasoline!
Could anyone tell me how to remove these streaks from the matte black paint on my Monster?
You should probablly check the welds on your tank hinge. After you empty the gas ofcourse.
Quote from: sk8board on November 23, 2008, 06:19:39 PM
I recently bought a used but spotless Dark Monster. Last week I propped-up the tank for the first time and I noticed gasoline was leaking from the fuel cap because the tank was full. I immediately unpropped the tank and dried it with a paper towel.
Today, I took the bike for a ride and I noticed streaks in the paint from the gasoline that I wiped-up a week earlier. Once I returned from my ride, I washed the tank twice with soap and water, but the streaks still remain.
This is the first vehicle that I have owned with a matte finish. I had no idea that a matte finish was such a pain to maintain. This seems stupid to paint a motorcycle gas tank with a finish that can't hold up to an occasional splash of gasoline!
Could anyone tell me how to remove these streaks from the matte black paint on my Monster?
No one can tell you because it can't be done.
Sorry.
but there in lies the charm of the dark...the dirtier it gets, the better it looks
Clean the rest of it with petrol so it matches. [thumbsup]
Quote from: wark on November 23, 2008, 09:01:08 PM
Clean the rest of it with petrol so it matches. [thumbsup]
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
+11ty Billion.
You can't beat guy-logic.
[laugh]
That`s why darkies are cheaper ;D
If you don't mind a lot of work, you could buff or scuff it out & then use fine steelwool to get back the matte finish you want. Or, buff & let it go glossy. Ducpainter would know more, but I "think" it would work. Anything is better than streaks.
Quote from: sk8board on November 23, 2008, 06:19:39 PM
This is the first vehicle that I have owned with a matte finish. I had no idea that a matte finish was such a pain to maintain. This seems stupid to paint a motorcycle gas tank with a finish that can't hold up to an occasional splash of gasoline!
Could be worse, you should see what gas does to those translucent panels on a Buell.
curious? how long was the tank propped up? and how long did the gas sit on the finiish?
i ask because i got gas on my old dark tank a number of times, always wiped it off quickly, and never had the problem that you are experiencing.
more important, and i think someone else already mentioned it, is to check the welds around the hinge.
propping up the tank with anything more than 1/4 tank or less is a sure way to cause busted welds. and they dont alway show up right away.
I've splashed during fuel ups without wiping it off. I don't recall any discoloration. I'll have to check it out next time I have the bike out.
Quote from: brix821 on November 23, 2008, 07:25:45 PM
but there in lies the charm of the dark...the dirtier it gets, the better it looks
I only wash my dark when I have to. Plus, I always ride with a net and a strap mounted tank bag, so the straps scuff the tank up.
In my case, I don't care. I don't care about resale because I plan on riding this thing into the ground. And, I like the dirty look. It's MUCH easier to maintain.
I also have a dark. I've spilled gas on it several times without a problem. I've also lifted the tank full of gas with no leaking either. :-\
same here never had a problem ...spill gas all the time on the tank
do you have the plastic tank ?
Is it possible this was a repainted tank that didn't get the right catalyst or top-coat? That could explain why gas effected it, when it seams others have had no problems.
Quote from: herm on November 24, 2008, 09:33:42 AM
curious? how long was the tank propped up? and how long did the gas sit on the finiish?
i ask because i got gas on my old dark tank a number of times, always wiped it off quickly, and never had the problem that you are experiencing.
more important, and i think someone else already mentioned it, is to check the welds around the hinge.
propping up the tank with anything more than 1/4 tank or less is a sure way to cause busted welds. and they dont alway show up right away.
Thanks for the tip about only using the prop rod with less than a 1/4 tank.
I only had the tank on the prop rod for about 30 seconds then I noticed the fuel leaking from the filler. I immediately unpropped the tank and wiped-up the gas.
Seems odd that no one else has had this problem. I wonder if it is because the local fuel supply recently changed to 10% ethanol?
Has anyone else had this problem?
Quote from: sk8board on November 24, 2008, 06:48:41 PM
Thanks for the tip about only using the prop rod with less than a 1/4 tank.
I only had the tank on the prop rod for about 30 seconds then I noticed the fuel leaking from the filler. I immediately unpropped the tank and wiped-up the gas.
Seems odd that no one else has had this problem. I wonder if it is because the local fuel supply recently changed to 10% ethanol?
Has anyone else had this problem?
Like mentioned above no problems here and fuel spilled numerous times. Even with that crappy 10% ethanol gas. I have propped the tank almost full for hours and no problem here. Tank was metal if it makes a difference.
I had a dark for a couple of years with 20K+ miles on it with no problems with the paint from fuel. Only scratches on the tank were from being knocked over a number of times...... not by me :'(. Anyway multiple spills with all flavors of fuel, ethanol and all, with no problems with the paint.
Maybe your tank was repainted, which could be why it was spotless.... since the dark doesn't have a clear coat to protect it, it is suseptable to scratching easily. Then again I only had experience with metal tanks. Hope that helps.
There is a possibility someone used a wax on the tank and the streaks are in the wax. If so, a wax remover like Prepsol should fix it, but try it first in a spot that doesn't show. If the tank was repainted the Prepsol could make things worse, possibly much worse.
Quote from: howie on November 25, 2008, 04:52:33 AM
There is a possibility someone used a wax on the tank and the streaks are in the wax. If so, a wax remover like Prepsol should fix it, but try it first in a spot that doesn't show. If the tank was repainted the Prepsol could make things worse, possibly much worse.
Prepsol won't hurt
activated fully cured paint.
Thanks for the advice. I will Prepsol a try.
Quote from: sk8board on November 24, 2008, 06:48:41 PM
Thanks for the tip about only using the prop rod with less than a 1/4 tank.
I only had the tank on the prop rod for about 30 seconds then I noticed the fuel leaking from the filler. I immediately unpropped the tank and wiped-up the gas.
Seems odd that no one else has had this problem. I wonder if it is because the local fuel supply recently changed to 10% ethanol?
Has anyone else had this problem?
we run winter gas here and I never had a streaking issue with the stock Dark paint
Do you have a plastic tank?
Quote from: ducpainter on November 25, 2008, 08:12:23 AM
Prepsol won't hurt activated fully cured paint.
True, but we don't know if it is.
Hehehehe.... my man what you need is a paint job that developes character as it "matures", buck the Duc trend and go MDK.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/DragonResurrection054.jpg)
Fack all the polishing and buffing. ;D
Quote from: howie on November 25, 2008, 06:26:58 PM
True, but we don't know if it is.
True...
that's why you warned him to try it in an inconspicuous spot.
I contacted the previous owner. He said the tank was never repainted and he never waxed the tank.
Does anyone know if the factory Dark finish has a clearcoat?
If it does not have a clearcoat, can I use a rubbing compound to remove the streaks in the paint?
Quote from: sk8board on November 26, 2008, 06:44:29 PM
If it does not have a clearcoat, can I use a rubbing compound to remove the streaks in the paint?
Rubbing compound will likely make glossy patches if you try it.
If it is factory paint there is no clear coat. Wax or compound will add luster plus, if you use compound you may find out how thin the paint is.
Can you post a nice quality pic? Maybe the experts can help you further...
sk8... what year is your bike? I wonder if some of the older "dark" bikes are painted, vs integral color. I know my '06 is the plastic tank, which would be the same throughout.
Did Duc ever make a painted dark tank? (Can you tell I don't know much about the older style Monsters?)
Quote from: RBX QB on December 01, 2008, 04:25:10 PM
sk8... what year is your bike? I wonder if some of the older "dark" bikes are painted, vs integral color. I know my '06 is the plastic tank, which would be the same throughout.
Did Duc ever make a painted dark tank? (Can you tell I don't know much about the older style Monsters?)
All current production Duc tanks are painted...
plastic or steel...
by current I mean the last 10+ years.
You have to go back to the GT era to find color impregnated composites...not plastic per se.
Chances are the gas simply stripped whatever wax or sealent the previous owner applied. I've got a '07 Ti S4R w/similar flat grey paint and black stripe . Rather than fighting it I just waxed the tank all over. It will make it slightly more glossy but it will even things out and provide limited protection. If you don't like strip it off by taking taking alcohol to it. Avoid denatured ethanol as it contains a strong solvent as the denaturing agent. Ducpainter can probably give better recommendation though.
If there is wax on there, can't you just use something like household dishwashing soap? usually that strips off anything oil based, including any silicone or carnuba wax hat might be on there, hence people shouldn't use that to wash their cars. Ducpainter, would this work to remove any wax?
Quote from: ducpainter on December 01, 2008, 04:28:58 PM
All current production Duc tanks are painted...
plastic or steel...
by current I mean the last 10+ years.
You have to go back to the GT era to find color impregnated composites...not plastic per se.
Are you sure? I've done things to my dark that would have resulted in MAJOR scratches if it had a finish, of any type, on it.
send it to dupainter for a proper paint job and call it done. [thumbsup]
Quote from: wark on November 23, 2008, 09:01:08 PM
Clean the rest of it with petrol so it matches. [thumbsup]
+1 sometimes the simplest answer is the right answer. [thumbsup]
Quote from: RBX QB on December 01, 2008, 06:46:33 PM
Are you sure? I've done things to my dark that would have resulted in MAJOR scratches if it had a finish, of any type, on it.
If I remember correctly, there were European market dark tanks that were color impregnated, but the US models had painted metal tanks. The early plastic tanks failed to meet some US test. Unless you have one of those Euro tanks, your tank is painted. Never mind, '06, painted.
Quote from: dutchy73 on December 01, 2008, 04:53:09 PM
If there is wax on there, can't you just use something like household dishwashing soap? usually that strips off anything oil based, including any silicone or carnuba wax hat might be on there, hence people shouldn't use that to wash their cars. Ducpainter, would this work to remove any wax?
Dishwashing liquid won't remove wax as far as I know.
I use dishwashing liquid to wash cars/bikes all the time.
It removes grease pretty well.
One time i was at a gas station filling my tank and the gas wouldnt turn off and it got full and kept going spilling ALOT of gas all over my tank im talking you mine as well took a 5 gallon bucket of gas and poured it over the tank (and me and my bike). I drove home took me about 30 minutes with that much gas spilled all over my tank. Got home, washed the bike down and had no problems with streaking or anything. Paint job and clear coat was still perfect. So i would think some gas spilled then wiped right up wouldnt cause a problem.
I would almost think it was an aftermarket paint job, with either no clear coating or a really thin layer of one.
Quote from: sk8board on November 26, 2008, 06:44:29 PM
I contacted the previous owner. He said the tank was never repainted and he never waxed the tank.
Does anyone know if the factory Dark finish has a clearcoat?
If it does not have a clearcoat, can I use a rubbing compound to remove the streaks in the paint?
He could be lying to you to hide the fact that he dropped the bike or something in the past...just a thought.
my dark paint is fine, and spill gas on it all the time.