Not every motorcyclist do motorcycle works on his or her own. But Most of the enthusiasts do or try to do. Meanwhile, obviously, some of them have the question, can we paint any part of the bike on our own?  Simply the answer is yes. In this article “How to Paint a Motorcycle Gas Tank with Rattle Can” we’re describing this simple job. So stay here until the end.

How To Paint A Motorcycle Gas Tank With Rattle Can

Of course, painting the motorcycle parts is an expert hand job no doubt. Vice versa it’s also not rocket science to do. But obviously, it needs concentration, patience, and a specific sequence of procedures. Furthermore, the right setup of tools and equipment can make the work lot easier to do.

Also Read: How To Clean Your Motorcycle?

Hence before briefing the process and techniques of painting let’s make few questions clear. Does Aerosol Spray Paint or Rattle Can Paint can give a professional finish? Does it worthy? Would it be durable? Wouldn’t it better to get a professional painting service?

Answering all of the questions we should say, motorcycle painted parts are very small parts to be painted. Hence, with the proper application, an aerosol spray paint or rattle can spray also can give you a professional-like finish. Of course, it’s worthy of money, time, and effort. It also can be durable if proper procedure and precision applied.

Further, coming to the professional painting services, of course, it’s better to get it. But the question comes for some small or experimental or custom paint job it’s not worthy in every aspect. This type of simple and small job can cost you even thrice or four times more. So rattle can spray paint is far more convenient to do low-cost custom paint.

Necessary Equipment to Paint A Motorcycle Gas Tank with Rattle Can

So whatever guys let come to our topic. For the betterment of understanding here we are taking the motorcycle fuel tank to paint it with a rattle can. So here comes the procedure on How to Paint a Motorcycle Gas Tank with Rattle Can. So before the task please do collect the following equipment for the job.

• Safety Glasses for your eye protection.
• Safety gloves or work gloves.
• Face mask to keep your nose and mouth clean from dust & sprayed paints.
• Different Grade of Sandpaper like 120, 220, 300, 400, or 800 grit.
• Sandpaper block to rub the surface easily and smoothen thoroughly.
• Color stripper chemical.
• Dent filler to fill up the tank or surface dents.
• Dent filler scraper.
• Paper sheets or old newspapers.
• Masking tape to mask those parts which will remain out of the painting.
• Soft semi-synthetic cotton rag.
• Primer Coat Rattle Can.
• Aerosol Spray Paint / Rattle Can Paint.
• Clear-Coat Rattle Can / Hardener Coat.

So these are the equipment you need to collect before the painting job. It’s better to get a worktable at your workplace. Keep all the equipment aside on the table and keep adequate free space for your work. One more thing you needed that is enough lighting arrangement at your workplace. Also don’t forget to keep the place neat, clean, and dust-free.

Before starting the paint job, first, get the gas tank and other parts detached from the motorcycle. Make the gas tank empty of fuel and preserve the fuel in a safe area. Then detach the tank cap and fuel cock from the tank. If necessary clean the inner side of the gas tank for the rusts or repair if further needed.

Determine What Type of Color You Want to Do 

Hence after the repair work or cleaning now it’s time to determine what you want to do. Actually, you have to determine your job set of painting at first of all. Then you have to prepare accordingly, what kind of paintwork you decided to do.

Whatsoever, you can do completely a new color or keeping the same color scheme. Further, there are options to choose from. You can choose the matt finish or some glossy. Or can completely customize the color scheme on your own. So select your choice at first.

Also Read: How To Maintain Motorcycle Chain?

So whatever your choice, collect the desired coded rattle can spray. If there is some matt finish then you can select the 1K coating. For multiple color-scheme or customized glossy finish can go for the 2K coating. But 1K coating is much more convenient for such kind of small job.

In the case of custom sticker-design or custom color-scheme, you can apply a clear coat or hardener after the final touch. It will smoothen the total paintwork in one. So whatever your expectation, do the planning earlier and if necessary do some sketch on the tank or on papers. Also can do experimental work on a metal sheet.

How to Paint a Motorcycle Gas Tank with Rattle Can

Henceforward after the planning now let’s start the work. Inspect the stock color condition of the gas tank. If the tank is rusted completely, then you have to strip off all the rust and damaged paint. Perhaps you have to remove all of the base layer and primer applied by the manufacturer.

Stripping Off the Color & Do a Dent Job

If the gas tank color is quite ok or just faded away, and few dents or color damages are there, keep the base layer. So, inspect the stock color and base layer condition first. So get some gas in a cotton rag and rub it hard on the tank. See the outcome.

If it found unchanged then rub it with medium-grit sandpaper. If the base layer found ok then keep it and even the paint if it in good condition. Only striping the upper layer off with medium-grit sandpaper is okay in such a case. Otherwise, do strip the layers off completely which are damaged.

So when to strip-off all the color and base-layer completely then you can use the color stripper chemical. Whatever the condition is depending on it do use proper grit of sandpaper. Strip off the weakened layers and clean the surface completely of paint, oily sediment, and other types of stains.

Cleaning off the weakened color or the worst base layers inspect the gas tank surface again. Mark the dents or scratches. Fill up the dent, scratch, and uneven gaps with the dent filler. Scrap it smoothly with a scrapper and let it dry completely.

After drying the dent filler scrub it and smoothen it to the surface. If necessary touch up with dent filler again, dry it off, and smoothen again with proper sandpaper. Remember, these preparations are more than half of your total painting job. So do it carefully with patience. It will give the paint a life long.

Apply Base Layer or Primer Coat

So the gas tank is completely ready making up with stripping, dent filling, and smoothening off. You just reached the second part of the painting job. Get the fuel tank completely dry and clean of dirt & oily sediments. Get the painting area also clean and dust-free. Arrange proper lighting setup and keep the workplace warm.

First of all, hang the gas tank from the ceiling and get it to a comfortable level. Hold a convenient part which can be finished at the last. Apply the base layer or primer coat thoroughly directing top to bottom from a recommended distance.

Spray it horizontally and don’t forget to shake the rattle can before spraying. Also, don’t forget to wipe off or clean the spray nozzle every time before spraying. You don’t need to make a thick layer but cover thin all the corners of the gas tank. Make an interval of at least 30 minutes in between each coat.

Do the Paint Job and Design Work with Rattle Can Aerosol Spray

So after applying the base layer, inspect it again thoroughly for flaws. If necessary use the smallest grit or Zero-Grit sandpaper to smoothen it and dust off. Then it ready to apply the desired colors or designs therefore the final paint job.

If you are doing a single color, then apply the specific code of rattle can spray. You can do matt or glossy finishes. If it is matt, then it’s the final coat for your painting job. So use the 1K coating. You don’t need a hardener as 1K coating itself premixed with hardener.

But if you are desired to put a glossy finish or multiple color-schemes or sticker work then the job is different. Then you have to work with multiple layers painting multiple times.

In such a case, apply the base color first. Follow the same procedure that you followed to apply the primer. Drying off the base color completely, use the masking/painters tape or stickers for your custom design.

Use secondary color if necessary. Allow adequate time intervals for proper drying off each layer. When you’re done with the design works with multiple colors and sticker work then you’re to do the finishing job.

Do the Final Finish with Clear Coat or Hardener

Before the finishing job, do inspect thoroughly the gas tank for any errors or flaws. Inspect for the uneven transitions between colors or the sticker margins. If necessary Use the zero-grit sandpaper carefully to smoothen it. Then dust off the gas tank carefully. Now it ready for the final clear coat or finish.

When doing the finishing job, be more careful as you are at the final stage of your entire paint job. So do it patiently and carefully. Never allow airflow in the room to avoid air dust. Keep the room warm arranging a proper lighting system.

Spray from a proper distance and spray the rattle can in direction of top to bottom horizontally. Don’t overlap on the same point multiple times. Do it thoroughly and make thin layers. Allow proper intervals in between the coats to dry off properly. And keep it hanging in the warm room. So you are done with your job. Cheers!

Some Health-Related Basic Precautions While Doing Any Color Work

Of course, aerosol spray paint or rattle can contain harmful gases. Also, the color spray can get inside the lungs with breath. Doing the paint job for a long time also can be injurious for health. So follow our advice while doing the color works.

• While doing the paint job always use work gloves, safety goggles, and also a face mask.
• Take fresh air breath in between each coat getting out of the workroom.
• Drink adequate water or liquids in the intervals.
• Never smoke while doing the paint job. Breathing harmful gases with smoke is severely injurious for the lungs.
• Never eat anything in the painting room.
• While you are not in paintwork just leave the room and get fresh air.

That’s it.