Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[DRKWNG]

i haven't heard any of this. 

i would like to know the particulars of their tank and coating.

the multi people i've been in touch with haven't had any issues at all -- over 2 years and counting,

Here's one example:
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/77-sport-classic/125688-caswell-prepped-tank-warping.html

I've seen a few other areas where people were talking about it as well, and will try to find them later.  There's been some talk on the SD world where one or two people have had their tanks coated and shown signs of swelling as well.  Granted, all of these are speaking to isolated incidents, and there is no way to tell if the coating was done properly or not, but it's still worrisome. 

[ducatiz]

Here's one example:
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/77-sport-classic/125688-caswell-prepped-tank-warping.html

I've seen a few other areas where people were talking about it as well, and will try to find them later.  There's been some talk on the SD world where one or two people have had their tanks coated and shown signs of swelling as well.  Granted, all of these are speaking to isolated incidents, and there is no way to tell if the coating was done properly or not, but it's still worrisome. 

I think the issue is lack of coverage.  A poster in that thread says he put a bore scope into his tank and found uncovered areas after doing it the first time.  Adding the gel coat tint is a smart choice.

The thickness of the solution is a problem.

[junior varsity]

Gel Coat Tint would be must for that reason!  (or a carbon/kevlar/aluminum tank as replacement!)

[xsephirot]

I think the issue is lack of coverage.  A poster in that thread says he put a bore scope into his tank and found uncovered areas after doing it the first time.  Adding the gel coat tint is a smart choice.

The thickness of the solution is a problem.

What people don't realize is that even spinning the caswell while coating it doesn't completely cover the tank. I saw another thread where Caswell recommended a couple oz. of some dilute so that it would be easier to spread.

[Frisco]

Gene

I appreciate your point of view, always.

However, the only tanks I know of that have had problems after being coated are due to a bad coating job being done.  Either the prep of the tank, the mixing, or the coating hasn't been applied to the entire surface.  If there is even a small area of exposure, the tank could still absorb water and deform.  I have to assume that covering most of the inside will prevent deformation, but clearly, all of it is preferable.  Precipitate water will sink to the bottom, but condensate water will stick to the top until it drips down.

However, there is no doubt that the right coatings adhere and also no doubt that they are impervious to ethanol/water/fuel.

Dealers never give a warranty on aftermarket work like this, it's just not done.  If you get a dealer to install HC pistons, see what kind of warranty on your engine you get -- nothing. 

CA provides a warranty on their tanks because 1) he is the manufacturer and sole reseller and makes all the money off the sale and 2) he knows without a doubt the tank is impervious to water and ethanol.  In the case of a dealer, he isn't the maker of the coating nor the tank and is only making a small amount from the labor of coating the tank -- the economy of scale isn't there.  CA's warranty is a manufacturer warranty, not a dealer's.

Lastly, I think your storing your bike in a environmentally controlled area is probably the best prevention given the real culprit is water as in condensation or humidity. 

If the coating works and is a viable solution then why won't DNA have them coated? They certainly could find a reputable shop to coat them - they don't mfg the tank in the first place but they warranty the tank? The cost of replacing another tank is 1/10the the cost of a new tank - of course I know they aren't paying $2K to the tank mfg but if it is a viable long term solution then why won;t they coat it and get a reputable shop to do it that will give them some type of warranty for the volume?  My guess is the coating isn;t a good long term fix or else Duc would have taken the economical way out - just my thoughts.

[Bill in OKC]

This reminds me of the flaking rocker problem a few years back.  Ducati replaced the rockers but a friend had to go aftermarket to finally fix the problem.

[duccarlos]

If the coating works and is a viable solution then why won't DNA have them coated? They certainly could find a reputable shop to coat them - they don't mfg the tank in the first place but they warranty the tank? The cost of replacing another tank is 1/10the the cost of a new tank - of course I know they aren't paying $2K to the tank mfg but if it is a viable long term solution then why won;t they coat it and get a reputable shop to do it that will give them some type of warranty for the volume?  My guess is the coating isn;t a good long term fix or else Duc would have taken the economical way out - just my thoughts.

Homologation. DNA can't just coat the tanks before selling the bike. It would only make sense if they sold it as "after market".

[junior varsity]

+1.  In this case Ducati is the manufacturer even though there is a third party supplier. Very likely they've got to submit homologated samples for inspection and whatnot. 

Perhaps only way to make it truly uniform at the manufacturing level is to dip/submerge bare tank prior to prep/paint, which would require an intermediate additional surface prep step prior to paint booth.   (Just having uncaffienated brainstorm session while watching a bit of foosball)

[ducatiz]

there are multiple ways to apply a coating.  the stuff we get from retailers isn't the same as what a manufacturer would use -- they even have stuff that can be spray-applied which comes out a bit liquid and thickens very quickly.

tons of NIOSH issues with that stuff as it is apparently a formic acid adhesion promoter, but that's why it can be so liquid-like.

[jgrm1]

So, I had my third tank installed yesterday.  I trailered the bike to the dealership and had them leave the tank dry.  I also bought a quick disconnect that I can use to make draining the tank easier.  So, now I have a decision to make.  

Do I:

A)  Line the tank with Caswells, hope for complete coverage, and risk the remaining warranty
B)  Line the tank with another coating, hope for complete coverage, and risk the remaining warranty
C)  Use K100 snake oil
D)  Drain the tank after each ride and transfer the fuel to my BMW
E)  All of the above?

-Jeff

[ducatiz]

A)  Line the tank with Caswells, hope for complete coverage, and risk the remaining warranty
B)  Line the tank with another coating, hope for complete coverage, and risk the remaining warranty
C)  Use K100 snake oil
D)  Drain the tank after each ride and transfer the fuel to my BMW
E)  All of the above?

I would use the Caswells, but I would find a gelcoat color to tint it with so I could see the coverage.  It works.

Also, I have called K100 snake oil but after they sent me some documentation from a 3rd party that tested it, I am not so sure.  It looks like it may actually work to sequester water at least temporarily.

[ducpainter]

I'd use the Caswells and thin it to make coverage a no brainer.

[ducatiz]

I'd use the Caswells and thin it to make coverage a no brainer.

yeah, looks like xylene is the right thinner for it...

[ducpainter]

yeah, looks like xylene is the right thinner for it...

I'm still not convinced that's the only 'right' thinner, but if people are happy using that and the manufacturer is good with it then I'm not going to argue.

I use what I have and haven't seen any issues.

[ducatiz]

I'm still not convinced that's the only 'right' thinner, but if people are happy using that and the manufacturer is good with it then I'm not going to argue.

I use what I have and haven't seen any issues.

how many have you coated and what are you using?