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Caswell tips and tricks

Started by BoDiddley, January 29, 2011, 09:09:51 PM

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ducpainter

#15
February 02, 2011, 05:38:06 AM
Quote from: ducatiz on February 02, 2011, 04:47:04 AM
After we are finished testing I'll send you a slice of one.  I have a few tanks I sent for testing.  I have one that's a control that isn't being tested (but it's been drilled so unusable).  It will be sectioned for some final testing and I'll keep a piece aside.
Thanks.

I have a section of PEX tubing that I'm going to test paint adhesion on someday laying on the bench.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


gr1976

#16
February 02, 2011, 07:43:58 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 01, 2011, 07:18:16 PM
If I was doing a used plastic tank I wouldn't use warm water in the dilution of the Marine Clean as POR recommends. That might cause rapid absorption of water. You also want to remove excess rinse water as soon as possible to avoid expansion. Air flow through the tank will accelerate drying. The key is to get the tank clean or no product, no matter how good it is, will stick.


So are you saying to cut the Marine Clean w/ cold water or use it 100%. Do you wash w/ soap and water first? I guess what I am asking is what do you feel is the best way to prep these tanks.

Thanks

ducatiz

#17
February 02, 2011, 07:54:58 AM
Best way IMHO is to wash thoroughly with lukewarm water and hand wash soap (Palmolive, take me away..)  Do this a few times until the surface feels clean.  Sounds stupid, but gasoline is "slippery" and you can feel it on the surface.  The smell will persist for a while.

Then let it sit for a while.  I put a small hair drying into the filler with no heat and just left it for a week like that.  Of course, the air needs to be dry going in so you need to think about when/where you are doing it.  The gas smell should be gone or nearly gone.  YMMV

Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#18
February 02, 2011, 08:08:53 AM Last Edit: February 02, 2011, 08:10:53 AM by ducpainter
Quote from: gr1976 on February 02, 2011, 07:43:58 AM
So are you saying to cut the Marine Clean w/ cold water or use it 100%. Do you wash w/ soap and water first? I guess what I am asking is what do you feel is the best way to prep these tanks.

Thanks
Mix as suggested.

Just don't use warm water.

The marine clean is soap so it should do the trick. Don't leave it in the tank longer than 10-15 minutes. Agitating will help it work faster.

Rinse thoroughly with about 3-5 gallons of cold water a little at a time. 3 rinses is what I use on a steel tank using the POR products. I realize POR recommends warm water, but that would not be good in this circumstance. When you're done rinsing tip the tank upside down and mop out any water that drains down. If you have clean compressed air flowing air through the tank will help after you've mopped out as much as possible. Oily air from an old compressor would be counter productive. You could also use a vacuum cleaner to suck air through the tank if you have no compressor.

After you think the tank is dry and ready you might want to fit it on the bike to make sure it didn't swell. If it did let it dry longer. Room temps will work better than cold garage temps.

You probably want to wait to tape the tank until after you finish cleaning. Water and tape adhesive don't play nice.

You're kind of on new ground here. I haven't done a used plastic tank...I don't know if anyone has. You might check around the web to find more info from the Sport Classic forums. What I'm suggesting is what I would do based on general experience in the refinishing field.

If you run into trouble I'll try to help you work out of it.

edit...looks like Tizz has done it.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


ducatiz

#19
February 02, 2011, 08:26:39 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 02, 2011, 08:08:53 AM
edit...looks like Tizz has done it.


I've done it on a replaced tank that only had one fill of gas and then emptied.

if the tank has shown any distortion, i would probably not do it.  maybe if it was >JUST< minor expansion but if there is >ANY< rippling in the surface definitely not.

and I would let the tank sit in a dry place with silica packs for a long time first.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#20
February 02, 2011, 08:28:15 AM
Quote from: ducatiz on February 02, 2011, 08:26:39 AM
I've done it on a replaced tank that only had one fill of gas and then emptied.

if the tank has shown any distortion, i would probably not do it.  maybe if it was >JUST< minor expansion but if there is >ANY< rippling in the surface definitely not.

and I would let the tank sit in a dry place with silica packs for a long time first.
My experience is that they show surface rippling before they actually expand.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


ducatiz

#21
February 02, 2011, 08:30:32 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 02, 2011, 08:28:15 AM
My experience is that they show surface rippling before they actually expand.

I have seen both.  My tank had lateral expansion and no rippling until right before it got replaced.

They are indicative of the two different problems with the material -- water absorption and ethanol penetration.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

pcv57

#22
February 04, 2011, 08:53:47 AM
I just finished applying the Caswell coating. I wished I had seen your post before i did. The cover for the fuel pump opening would have been key, as well as, putting some duct tape around the fuel opening. I just spent an hour or so scraping the residue off the these areas. In hindsight, I wish i had added more laquer thinner as I only added about 1 oz for the entire pint. It was very thick and was difficult spreading around inside the tank.
Also, I follwed their instructions to cover the tank with cellophane, tin foil, and more cellophane. This sucked becasue as you handle the tank, it all comes off. The tape is a much better idea.

BoDiddley

#23
February 05, 2011, 09:21:37 AM Last Edit: February 05, 2011, 12:10:13 PM by BoDiddley
Quote from: ducpainter on February 01, 2011, 04:29:54 PM
My only concern would be further reducing the capacity of an already range limited tank. It has little to do with the money.

I don't think using two cans instead of one has much to do with how much is actually left in the tank.  The reason I was glad I used twice the recommended is confidence that the entire inside got covered. It makes sense that a larger quantity moves farther and faster than a small quantity, especially with a substance this thick.  With double the quantity I could actually feel where it was going in the tank.  Again, I can't see where the amount you put in the tank makes much difference in how much drains out, a large quantity does not drain less, but maybe I am missing something.   Earlier I mentioned half drained out.  Because I drained it into a pan covered by a towel I have no way of measuring how much actually drained out so I was taking a shot in the dark.  I wished I would have weighed my tank before and after.  I really do not think a whole can stayed in, and the tank does not "feel" heavier.  


I want to add that this is my first and hopefully last experience with a tank and Caswell.  Ducpainter as they say "Is the man" so his input should be first and formost.  And I get carried away at times with the insanity of having to do this to my tank.  But it is what it is............





"But sire what are we to do.  You have taken all our weapons and now the heathen hordes are at the gate.  Are we to lie down and give them our lives.  Without weapons they will make us eat ourselves."

gr1976

#24
February 05, 2011, 07:50:15 PM Last Edit: February 05, 2011, 07:55:24 PM by gr1976
I took off my tank today to start preparing it for the Caswell coating. I'm sure this is factory but the vent and overflow lines make the tank look like it was already coated.  Is this what yours looked like? I'm assuming they must install these prior to manufacturing the tank and it is actual tank material coating these lines. Any tips for getting the Caswell between the lines and tank? Should I not worry about it? My concern is that the coating may try to bridge between the tank and lines then begin to flake off.


ducpainter

#25
February 05, 2011, 07:59:14 PM
Quote from: gr1976 on February 05, 2011, 07:50:15 PM
I took off my tank today to start preparing it for the Caswell coating. I'm sure this is factory but the vent and overflow lines make the tank look like it was already coated.  Is this what yours looked like? I'm assuming they must install these prior to manufacturing the tank and it is actual tank material coating these lines. Any tips for getting the Caswell between the lines and tank? Should I not worry about it? My concern is that the coating may try to bridge between the tank and lines then begin to flake off.



What you're seeing is the way the tank is constructed.

If you do it right those plastic encrusted tubes will get coated also.

Be a Nike and just do it.

We are all going on faith on this based on the manufacturer claiming the product sticks, the reports from other forums claiming success over a period of a couple of years, and reports that Ducati itself has tested the product and found it to be satisfactory to prevent ethanol/water ramifications.

If you over think it it gets harder.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


thought

#26
February 10, 2011, 07:38:05 PM
i'm thinking about getting this into my tank... but about your comment concerning the color of the coating... do you think it would change anything if i put some food coloring into the epoxy to make it easier to see the coverage?  or do you think that would probably mess it up somehow?
'10 SFS 1098
'11 M796 ABS - Sold
'05 SV650N - Sold

ducpainter

#27
February 10, 2011, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: thought on February 10, 2011, 07:38:05 PM
i'm thinking about getting this into my tank... but about your comment concerning the color of the coating... do you think it would change anything if i put some food coloring into the epoxy to make it easier to see the coverage?  or do you think that would probably mess it up somehow?
As long as it isn't a water based coloring it probably wouldn't hurt.

That said, after dealing with chemicals as long as I have there is no real way of telling.

Call Caswell and ask...it couldn't hurt.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


BoDiddley

#28
February 12, 2011, 08:05:29 AM
Quote from: thought on February 10, 2011, 07:38:05 PM
i'm thinking about getting this into my tank... but about your comment concerning the color of the coating... do you think it would change anything if i put some food coloring into the epoxy to make it easier to see the coverage?  or do you think that would probably mess it up somehow?

Just curious, How far in the tank can you actually see?  Can you see all of it?
"But sire what are we to do.  You have taken all our weapons and now the heathen hordes are at the gate.  Are we to lie down and give them our lives.  Without weapons they will make us eat ourselves."

ducpainter

#29
February 12, 2011, 08:43:56 AM
Quote from: BoDiddley on February 12, 2011, 08:05:29 AM
Just curious, How far in the tank can you actually see?  Can you see all of it?
Not far enough... :P

When you get your fuel pump out you'll have a much better idea. ;)

Definitely can't see all of it.

"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


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