Although nice, the stock silver and blue gas tank of my Kawasaki just wasn’t doing it for me aesthetically. Removing the factory paint may seem like a daunting task at first, but the right tools and some patience go a long way.
In the past, I had used “aircraft remover,” as it’s called, with decent results. It is a popular choice among those wishing to strip the paint from various surfaces. This time, however, I used a different approach. I took a gamble on a gel like substance called Citristrip, boasting the ability to remove several layers of paint and coatings. If you’re interested, any local or big box home improvement store should carry it.
With the tank off the bike and Citristrip in hand, there was nothing left to do but get to it. I dabbed a small amount of the gel onto a “test area” of the tank using a small paint brush. Despite my impatience and general anxious demeanor, I was able to leave the tank alone for roughly one day.
Upon my return to the worksite, I was pleasantly surprised to see my test area was now comprised of flakey paint chips that came off with the slightest scrape. I then continued to coat the entirety of the tank in the gel and let it sit for another day. Unlike many chemical strippers, the product is fairly noninvasive and has a nice citrus aroma. It is also safe to use indoors with proper ventilation.
A plastic scraper allowed me to work off the layers of paint. Each “session” gave way to more and more bare metal exposure. With the majority of the paint off, a thin blue layer was visible in the exposed areas. I then used a scotch pad to buff and sand down the tank to a clean bare metal surface. Spraying WD40 intermittently on the tank also assisted with lifting off the final layer. Although rewarding, this last step proved to be both labor intensive and time-consuming.
Finally, a tank in this condition will rust very quickly if not given the proper treatment. The next steps however, are dependent on the desired outcome of the gas tank. I personally was seeking a bare metal finish to give the bike a raw look. To achieve these results, there are a variety of clear coats and rust preventatives to choose from.
Another low cost solution to keep the rust at bay is to apply a coat of WD40. Note that this must be done regularly on a consistent basis, as it is not a permanent rust preventative. This method might also serve as a good way to keep rust off while deciding what your next step is in finishing the tank.
Try not to touch the tank too much as the oils from our hands promote rust. Other factors such as climate and humidity also have a large impact on rust formation.
If a painted surface is what you want, body fillers and primers would be the next step in preparing a surface that will allow for paint adhesion.
- Citristrip
- Paint brush
- Plastic scraper
- Green course scotch/scour pad
- Grey fine scotch pad
- WD40
These were the items I used to achieve these results and I would not hesitate to use this method again.
Note: I am not receiving any promotional compensation for the items and vendors listed in this article. These are products I chose after doing research on what I thought would best fit my needs and they have worked well for me thus far.