Repair Plastic Tank

[hughes]

My bud's tank has a crack in it and we're going riding this saturday. Anyway to repair the crack? thanks.

[alan]

Yes tanks can be plastic welded! It isn't to complicated either I think you can get into it for under $50 is you have some gas around like CO2 or CO 2/Argon. You do have to know which plastic you are dealing with so you can pick the proper fill rod.

I have never done it my self, but I have watched a buddy of mine weld up all kinds of tanks. Unfortunately  he passed to the big dunes in the sky a couple of years back!

Here is a link for the equipment you would need.......

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41592

Don't tell BDI it is made in China!

[MadKaw]

found a glue that worked good for me, found it at the parts store. can't remember the name of it...but it said on the tube that it was gas and oil proof. I just used a long medical Q-tip and put it on the inside of the tank. and put some on the outside too for good measure. it hasn't leaked yet?

[BDI]

Plastic welding is the best way to fix it. If you have an old fender you can cut it into strips to use as filler than you know you have the right plastic and the right color. Use veriable temp heat gun with a small tip so you can focus the heat right wear you need it. practice on an old fender first the trick is to heat the plastic slowly and to just the right temp or you will boil the chemicals out that make the plasic what it is and it will become brittle. It takes patience to get the plastic hot enough to weld. when I weld on a tank or put dents in them to clear things like spark plugs I will fill the tank one third of the way with ice water so when I'm happy with the repair or modificatoin or if things start to go bad I can just flip the tank over to cool off the work erea. good luck it's welding and just like with any welding it takes practice. 

     P.S. use japan plastic It's better then chinese plastic and it does not have lead in it     

[hughes]

Thanks for all the tips. we found a replacement tank. We're riding sat.

[alan]

BDI, that makes sense now! I was looking at a picture of one of the welding guns and I understand the welding is being done with hot air. I was thinking that you need to have an inert gas like with MIG and TIG. That is a great idea using strips of old fenders and plastic as fill rod!

Alan

[kx666]

does anyone have any tips on plastic welding, mine are  ugly

[alan]

I have never seen a plastic weld job that was real pretty.........

[KXcam22]

Most auto body shops can do that for you now days.  They get lots of practice with car stuff.  I did a bunch on my CBR900 last winter. My welds are really ugly. Cam.