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

[duccarlos]

Jonathan, I don't think you crossed the line, yet. I think DP was trying to stop you before you actually did.

We are aware that Ducati is owned by Audi. We discussed the sale in separate threads. I know it's difficult to read through almost 200 pages, but if you look back you'll see all the dirt around the settlement.

[CDawg]

Boo
~3 years after Caswell coating the replacement tank it has started to slowly expand...Booooo

[twolanefun]

I'm shocked - not. Of course others will tell you it was not applied correctly which is IMHO part of the reason that Ducati did not offer it as part of a solution, the solution is more art than science. I think the M1200S with a metal tank is going to be more attractive to many buyers, plumbing on left side surely does not look as bad as warped/deformed fuel tank. - Gene

[ducatiz]

Wasn't applied correctly.

Mine was a test for it and still perfect.

[Ducatamount]

Why isn't this thread in tech?

[ducatiz]

Boo
~3 years after Caswell coating the replacement tank it has started to slowly expand...Booooo

Take the tank off.
Let it fully dry -- CAREFULLY rinse it out with acetone or xylene to get the gas residue out.
Let it sit in a dry place as long as you can -- it will shrink back.
You can apply a half-can of Caswell's on top of the old Caswell.  You don't need to remove it.  Reduce it about 10-15% with xylene.

My fear is that a lot of hacks have done these coatings and stories like this will start appearing.  If the coating was not done properly, it can delaminate or just not have full coverage. 

People who did the coating but did not reduce the coating will likely show up with non-coverage problems.

[ducpainter]

Take the tank off.
Let it fully dry -- CAREFULLY rinse it out with acetone or xylene to get the gas residue out.
Let it sit in a dry place as long as you can -- it will shrink back.
You can apply a half-can of Caswell's on top of the old Caswell.  You don't need to remove it.  Reduce it about 10-15% with xylene.

My fear is that a lot of hacks have done these coatings and stories like this will start appearing.  If the coating was not done properly, it can delaminate or just notjavascript:void(0); have full coverage. 

People who did the coating but did not reduce the coating will likely show up with non-coverage problems.

This...

[ducatiz]

This...

to be fair, the first tank I did was my S2R tank and I did not reduce the coating, but it was a Pain In The Ass, Royale to make sure the coating got everywhere in the tank. I literally spent 2+ hours turning the tank by hand.

The later tanks I did, I reduced the mix and it was FAR FAR FAR easier to get coating and I believe (but can't prove) the reduced coating adheres better since the xylene penetrates the nylon just a tiny bit and I ahve to assume it pulls some of the epoxy with it.

[ducpainter]

to be fair, the first tank I did was my S2R tank and I did not reduce the coating, but it was a Pain In The Ass, Royale to make sure the coating got everywhere in the tank. I literally spent 2+ hours turning the tank by hand.

The later tanks I did, I reduced the mix and it was FAR FAR FAR easier to get coating and I believe (but can't prove) the reduced coating adheres better since the xylene penetrates the nylon just a tiny bit and I ahve to assume it pulls some of the epoxy with it.

First time I used the Caswell I had the same experience.

It was not a plastic tank, but a custom fiberglass thing.

A real PITA to use straight.

As you are aware the product was designed to seal perforated metal tanks without running out of the holes. That's why it flows like concrete. For a protective seal it doesn't need to be anywhere near that viscous.

[SDRider]

I'll give a shout out to GTL.  http://www.gastanklining.com/

They did my tank and I'm happy with the results so far.

[blalor]

I know this thread is old, and everyone's probably sick of the topic, but I did some searching and this is where I've ended up. What are folks doing about swollen tanks now that the even the extended warranty is up? The newest bike in the settlement is just about out of the extended warranty. I looked at an '06 S2R this evening that's supposedly had the tank replaced and it looks pretty obvious to me that the new tank is expanding, too. Since Ducati didn't change the material, it seems that every S2R is susceptible, right? So what should the owner of a bike with this problem *now* do? Buy a new tank (for a grand!) and Caswell it? Ca-cycleworks tank (which is functional but not very Monster-y)? Attempt to Caswell the existing tank?

[twolanefun]

Not a lot of good options IMHO. The current tank can be dried out and should return to propepr size and shape. Some believe that Caswell would be the solution at that point. My solution was to get rid of my S2R, it was a great bike with some very special mods but I just could not get past the Tank issue. - Gene

[duccarlos]

I know this thread is old, and everyone's probably sick of the topic, but I did some searching and this is where I've ended up. What are folks doing about swollen tanks now that the even the extended warranty is up? The newest bike in the settlement is just about out of the extended warranty. I looked at an '06 S2R this evening that's supposedly had the tank replaced and it looks pretty obvious to me that the new tank is expanding, too. Since Ducati didn't change the material, it seems that every S2R is susceptible, right? So what should the owner of a bike with this problem *now* do? Buy a new tank (for a grand!) and Caswell it? Ca-cycleworks tank (which is functional but not very Monster-y)? Attempt to Caswell the existing tank?

You dry out the tank and coat it.

[Speeddog]

I've got an '05 S2R800 tank that I've had hanging from the rafters in my shop for ~5 years.
I'm in SoCal, we've averaged 10" of rain per year during that time.
So it's pretty f'n dry.

It's still ~5mm too wide at the tank rubbers.

[duccarlos]

I've got an '05 S2R800 tank that I've had hanging from the rafters in my shop for ~5 years.
I'm in SoCal, we've averaged 10" of rain per year during that time.
So it's pretty f'n dry.

It's still ~5mm too wide at the tank rubbers.

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