leaking tank repair

[FastAndLight]

Does anyone know of a local place capable of repairing a leaking tank?

I've been reading through the posts in the Tech section and it seems that some brazing around the hinge followed by a tank coating should take care of the problem.

Has anyone dealt with a good shop locally for this?  I really want to avoid having to repaint the tank considering it just got repainted at the beginning of the summer.

Thanks for the help.

[Slide Panda]

No FHE with this - but if the braising is done right, and the surrounding area is kept cool, the paint that everyone can see will be fine.  OF course, right where it's being brazed will be done.  Nate aka Duc Painter, ake Painter favors POR15 as the coating for the inside of the tank.  That part seems to be the easy part...

[zooom]

on my old '01, I started to have a weep from around the hinge weld...I ran the tank down to damn near empty...and then epoxied the f**k outta the hinge and let it cure for 24hrs and never had a problem again...YMMV of course...

[FastAndLight]

Thanks for the help.  I've read that it is easy to repair, it is just finding someone I trust to do the work. 

I'm going to call Ram Cycles and see if Alex can recommend someone.

Zooom, thanks for the hint, but I think I'm going to try the brazing route first.

[ducrider45]

I have an ox-acetylene torch and some rods. I can braze, I just do not have any gas. The tanks are not cheap.

[ducrider45]

I have looked into this some more. All I need is some oxygen. I have everything else needed to do the job. I might be open for business soon. I also have access to a paint shop. The gears are turning.........

[FastAndLight]

I'm more than happy to help fund the first project if it involves getting this tank to stop leaking gas all over the place 

[ducrider45]

Ok, let's do it! I am looking for a supply house that sells the gas. I know of a few, but I would like to find one near my house. I picked up an acetylene tank last night. It will need to be filled.

[FastAndLight]

Awesome.  Let me know when you are all ready and we'll make some arrangements.  Also, to make this a full fix job, what do you know about the POR-15 coating?

[ducrider45]

It takes a long time. It is a two or three step process. First there is the etching agent. It removes all of the rust and preps the metal. Then some systems have you wash the tank. Either way it needs to dry for a few days. then comes the protective coating. This also has to dry for several days. I picked some up a while ago. I have a tank that needs to be done as well. Im not sure what I paid for it though. I got it at Cycles USA in Silver Spring. Pick some up and I will do both tanks.

[ducrider45]

Ok. I am going to try and offer this service. I'm working on a work space at the house. I'm working up pricing now. The only real issue I see is that I travel for work quite a bit. I will not be able to start this tank until next Friday. I also want to start offering custom paint and airbrushing. My painter has worked with Mike Lavallee (real flames). I could offer dent repair and paint as well as hinge repair.

[loudbike]

As for sealers, I've had exceptional results with the very easy to use PHENOL NOVOLAC EPOXY GAS TANK SEALER product from Caswell.  The stuff requires minimal prep, has a nice set-up time and is ethanol proof.  Highly recommended and available at http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

[ducrider45]

As for sealers, I've had exceptional results with the very easy to use PHENOL NOVOLAC EPOXY GAS TANK SEALER product from Caswell.  The stuff requires minimal prep, has a nice set-up time and is ethanol proof.  Highly recommended and available at http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

Thank you. I have some Kreem at the house right now. I may order this stuff.

[Bug]

        I have a 2005 black monster tank fi without the internals and two small dings that is taking up space in my shed. Make me an offer?

[Bug]

       Tank is spoken for, I'll give a shout out if the deal goes bad.