Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Other Bikes Tech
Dent in tank - how remove surface rust? Dent in tank - how remove surface rust?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Other Bikes Tech For Technical Questions on bikes not listed in the other forums.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 May 2008
TobyE's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 66
Dent in tank - how remove surface rust?
I have a dent on the side of my tank. The colour is starting to flake and there is rust as well.

How do I remove surface rust and stop the damage from getting any worse? As long as I stop the rusting process I am happy.

I am thinking I should sandpaper off the rust, then apply some sort of rust inhibitor (ACF-50?) and then look for some sort of black filler to make it look a bit nicer? Is it as easy as this?

Any advice much appreciated.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Iron to rust
I agree with your priorities for dealing with the dent.

Funny old thing, but related threads popup at the end of every thread and one for yours is here; you might like its' advice:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nt-repair-6321

Personally, I would go to a bodywork shop - there are lots around for cars - and take their advice about the preparation of the repair.
Simple sandpapering will very likely leave some rust in the depths of the dent, and you can guess what happens later.
Rust is the natural state of the iron in the steel, so if it can rust it will.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 May 2008
TobyE's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 66
Thanks Dave, good find on the link (I did do a search but obviously didn't look well enough ).

Talked to SRS Motorcycles in Hammersmith, they suggested sandpapering and painting over, I got this advice from a car repair shop also. What I think I will do is to
  1. Sandpaper it to get rid of all rust I can
  2. Spray it with rust inhibitor
  3. NOT paint it, but fit a leather tank cover - this way I can monitor what's going on with the dent situation from time to time
Good idea?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Wink just a personal view of rust
Quote:
Originally Posted by TobyE View Post
Thanks Dave, good find on the link (I did do a search but obviously didn't look well enough ).

Talked to SRS Motorcycles in Hammersmith, they suggested sandpapering and painting over, I got this advice from a car repair shop also. What I think I will do is to
  1. Sandpaper it to get rid of all rust I can
  2. Spray it with rust inhibitor
  3. NOT paint it, but fit a leather tank cover - this way I can monitor what's going on with the dent situation from time to time
Good idea?
Maybe I am just too fussy, but the sandpaper will not get into the depths of the dent no matter how hard you try - the rust is there on a microscopic scale; some version of sand/bead blasting would do a much better job of the preparation; the fuel tank is a small item so it could be taken off and put into a blasting "tank" (not sure what they are called, but I have had a go on one - excellent clean metal afterward).
Yes, a chemical inhibitor can be useful I suppose: I have tried them in the past on car bodywork but not recently.
Paint is very effective anyway in multiple coats to build the thickness, if you want to save on the cost of a cover: if the rust does start to show, it will be the warning to start over again!!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 173
Waxoil
If you are going to put a tank cover on then you can sand the dent, as Dave said you will find it hard to remove all the rust but you can use waxoil which soaks into any remaining rust and stops it. Just retreat it now and then.
Ask Land Rover owners how good it is.
Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 May 2008
TobyE's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
... the fuel tank is a small item so it could be taken off and put into a blasting "tank"
It sounds very effective, but I am looking for a solution that is as cheap as possible, yet might not neglect the state of the bike.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dessertstrom View Post
If you are going to put a tank cover on then you can sand the dent, as Dave said you will find it hard to remove all the rust but you can use waxoil which soaks into any remaining rust and stops it.
Hammerite! That is what the autodealer had recommended, but I had forgotten the name. I searched for waxoil on Halfords and this one came up... Hammerite Waxoyl Rustproofing Aerosol Black sounds pretty good. Cheers for that.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Yep,
Hammerite is good stuff: I have a can of black and another of matt silver in my shed, so I don't know why I didn't remember that paint either!
You don't get a great finish with a brush, but it sounds like that doesn't matter.

With a few layers of preparation and paint, you could save on the cost of the cover or just fit one to hide the flaw - take it a step at a time?
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kamloops, BC Canada
Posts: 109
Repair the dent too!
I just finished redoing a tank that I got on Ebay for my airhead. Way worse than yours. As suggested above, it is a good idea to bead blast the rust if you have access to a blaster, then I would patch the dent with a little body putty. Dry and wet sand the putty after it sets up until it is feathered in and very, very smooth, then paint it. Still a cheap fix and the dent is gone. The metal has to be bare and very clean... nothing on it... in order to have the body putty bond well.
__________________
Samuel Longiaru
Kamloops, BC Canada
1975 BMW R60/6
http://thetwilightproject.net
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Mar 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 49
Quote:
Originally Posted by TobyE View Post
  1. NOT paint it, but fit a leather tank cover - this way I can monitor what's going on with the dent situation from time to time
Good idea?
Very Bad idea. Just looking at it will not solve the problem, it will continue to rust and never get any better. Was it Neil Young who said Rust Never Sleeps? Bead or sand blast it if you can get the equipment and get some paint on it to prevent the rust returning.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dent for Rent ! nomiskx 4 wheel Overland Travel 0 8 May 2008 11:10
Gas tank rust bwframe Yamaha Tech 3 4 May 2007 22:36
1981 Golwing (rust In Tank) IRONHEAD MYKE Honda Tech 3 15 Jan 2007 05:46
Fuel tank dent repair Jones Yamaha Tech 8 2 May 2005 04:58
neutralising rust inside the fuel tank Stephen Yamaha Tech 10 16 Apr 2003 06:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top