Paint on tank bubbling again

[Mastiff Rider64]

Hey guys I've got a question?

In or around Nov. of 08 my local dealer had to repair my tank for the paint bubbling around the gas bung. They told me that there was a factory defect in the bungs, and they had 4 or 5 at the factory at that time being repaired. When I got my bike back the paint had been repair and I had one of the kuryakyn paint savers on my bike. They told me that instead of sending the tank off they had fixed it theirselves. But now here it is almost two years later and it has started bubbling again. I don't over fill the tank and I do have the paint saver in there, so what would be causing this problem? A friend of mine that works in a auto body repair center said that more than likely the weld around the bung has a pin hole in it letting gas vapor escape the tank under the paint, and that is one reason it is taking so long in between repairs for it to start messing up. If anyone has another idea I'm open to suggestions, and suggestions on how to fix this problem.

 

[Raywood]

There is a rubber seal under the paint saver ring and it most likely dries up. What I did on my tank when I altered it was suggested by KaptianAmerika. Use JB Weld to seal up the paint when it meets the bung then when it dries use a fuel resistant RTV to seal up the rubber seal and paint saver. Shouldn't have anymore problems

 

[Mastiff Rider64]

I know the dealer told me that they used jb weld on it, and that I would never be able to remove the paint saver without a lot of work, don't remember them telling me they use rtv to seal it.

 

[Raywood]

I know the dealer told me that they used jb weld on it, and that I would never be able to remove the paint saver without a lot of work, don't remember them telling me they use rtv to seal it.

Yes, you use the JB weld to install the paint saver but before that use it to seal up the edge of the paint where it meets the bung. That way fuel vapors can't get under the paint there.

I doubt most shops go to this level of preparations so it's something you would want to do yourself when you get it fixed next time.

:2thumbs:

 

[RuDawg]

Mine is bubbling up right around the gas gap (one bubble around the saver). It's not really noticeable and the paint is not pealing, so I haven't messed with it...kind of afraid to. Is there anything to do about it, with out causing more damage or costing a lot to repair?

 

[Mastiff Rider64]

Thanks Raywood. I'll have to keep that in mind when it gets fixed. So just out of curiousity, why are the big dog owners having to install the paint savers in the first place was the dealer correct when they said it was a factory defect?

 

[jimizee028]

the only way to fix the bubble is either find a larger paint saver to cover the bubble again....or you have to dig in under the paint and through the mud work to find the problem,repair it prime it and repaint it...
There is no such 'PAINT BUBBLE REMOVAL' product sold anywhere.......

 

[419jasons]

Interesting. I have an 08 Ridgeback and am having the same issue. I had an idea of what was causing it, but was surprised to see others having the same issue; I assumed it was a one off problem. I will likely leave it alone, just hope it doesn't grow. Thanks for the original post.

 

[RuDawg]

It's ironic that the paint saver is ruining the paint!

 

[Magoo]

I too have the same issue of paint bubbling around the paint saver on my 07 chopper. :angry: Sent BD an email explaining the paint bubbling and they said they will warranty it (paint warranty is usually 6 months, bike 1 year old) so sent the tank to KS to get redone! Should be back in two weeks (sent it two weeks ago). They told me it was from filling the tank too high with gas. :bang: Maybe it was, I don't know for sure. But I will keep an eye on the gas level from now on, that's for sure!

 

[RuDawg]

I too have the same issue of paint bubbling around the paint saver on my 07 chopper. :angry: Sent BD an email explaining the paint bubbling and they said they will warranty it (paint warranty is usually 6 months, bike 1 year old) so sent the tank to KS to get redone! Should be back in two weeks (sent it two weeks ago). They told me it was from filling the tank too high with gas. :bang: Maybe it was, I don't know for sure. But I will keep an eye on the gas level from now on, that's for sure!

That's good to know Magoo! I am glad they are fixing it. I love how they put the blame on you though, "Filling the gas too high". Not that the paint saver is flawed and that filling it up too high will cause the paint to bubble. Non of my other bike's paint ever bubbled, yet my gas filling skills have not changed.

 

[419jasons]

After wanting to check this out more, I went out to my tank and took the cap off and looked down in the tank with a flash light, There is blistered, peeling, silver paint on the sheet metal plate just inside the fill neck. This is even more disturbing than the blistering paint on the outside, since this loose paint will end up in the fuel system. I wonder why they did not plate these parts, inside the tank or leave them bare, as opposed to painting them. Does anyone else have this problem with paint peeling on the inside?

 

[Daddycool]

i just have a bit of surface rust inside the opening of the tank. no paint or liner that i can tell off hand.

 

[airbrush-ed]

I feel maybe I can help some of you guys out with my experiences with this subject. I've painted "a few" bikes, and I don't care what anyone says, there is no sure-fire, 100% way to completely stop this problem. Just bad ways, and good ways at fighting it. It may never happen, or it may happen repeatedly. Paint will do some crazy things...

But this is what I do when I repair a job like this.
Remove the tank saver ring, do the paint repair, clear coat and buff. After I get done buffing out the tank, I use some 3M blue fine-line tape and tape a ring around the gas hole. About 3/4 -1/2 inch from the edge of the hole. Then I use 3M masking tape to tape over the blue tape (because it is not very strong). I put several layers on. Then I put some paper towels over the rest of the tank, and tape them down. The next part you have to be really careful. I use a dremel with a wire brush attachment. It looks like a little street sweeper. I clean ALL the paint and primer off inside the tape ring, down to clean, bare metal. I peel back some of the masking tape, so I can see the edge of the paint job. Mix up your JB Weld. Spread it over bare metal area, and over the edge of the ground-off paint. You don't want to have any bare metal showing, or the edge of the paint job. While it is still wet, I install a new paint saver ring. Tighten down real good with the included tool. As I remove all the paper towels and other masking, I am careful as there could be small metal shavings (dust size) that could easily scratch the new paint. Let sit for at least a day. Don't over fill!
This has worked good for me. I've heard of guys not using the rubber gasket, prefering a metal to metal bond. Who knows which is better?
Hope this might help some of you guys out!!!

 

[Magoo]

Thanks Ed, we all know your reputation here and I'm sure you have the best advice available!

 

[Magoo]

I too have the same issue of paint bubbling around the paint saver on my 07 chopper. :angry: Sent BD an email explaining the paint bubbling and they said they will warranty it (paint warranty is usually 6 months, bike 1 year old) so sent the tank to KS to get redone! Should be back in two weeks (sent it two weeks ago). They told me it was from filling the tank too high with gas. :bang: Maybe it was, I don't know for sure. But I will keep an eye on the gas level from now on, that's for sure!

Thought I would give you all an update: I received the tank back yesterday and the paint job was awesome! BUT... I shook the tank and there was something inside it, so I looked and seen it was a chunk of the tank liner coating about the size of a potato chip that let loose so I called them and they said they would gladly dissolve the entire liner away and re-line it at no cost to me! With this being said, I took it to my local BDM dealership and they sent it back today! I can't say enough how nice and easy it is working with these folks at BDM. There's not all that many that take care of you like they are with me!:2thumbs:

 

[jaybird]

You all scare me, I'm afraid to look

 

[armad]

After wanting to check this out more, I went out to my tank and took the cap off and looked down in the tank with a flash light, There is blistered, peeling, silver paint on the sheet metal plate just inside the fill neck. This is even more disturbing than the blistering paint on the outside, since this loose paint will end up in the fuel system. I wonder why they did not plate these parts, inside the tank or leave them bare, as opposed to painting them. Does anyone else have this problem with paint peeling on the inside?

I noticed a peeling something when I filled with gas on my bike. It doesn't look like paint, but must be the liner they use on the inside of the tank. I am afraid to remove it and hope the whole inside does not peel. What are you going to do about it?

 

[jtemperton]

hi Gentlemen - Just throwing in my current issues with the dreaded paint bubbles. 2006 Bourget Low Blow. It's my ex-husbands bike and i've been deemed the "miracle worker" to fix the issue. After reaching out to the original painter (600-800 bucks for the fix and roughly 400 for shipping across the country) and reaching out to Bourgets directly (getting nowhere) I was left searching online for the answer. Thus far this is what I've done - purchased the larger paintsaver - cut as much of the paint off that I could where so it won't show past the new ring. (did this with an exacto knife - getting down to bare metal) used super glue to press down the remainer of the bubble (if you get any on the tank Mr. Clean magic eraser takes it off easy peasy!) Let it cure for several days - used primer where the paint comes up to bare metal after putting yet another layer of glue around the edge - My thought is that if nothing can get under the paint it won't happen again. (here's to hoping) Right now I'm at the point where I'm unsure as to use clear/jb weld/or leave it be prior to screwing in the new paintsaver.
I see a great deal of people have this issue (one would think the manufacturers/painters would come up with something to keep this from happening. For the $ these things cost this SHOULD NOT be an issue....but hey people are still buying them - and when they can use the ole "dont fill the tank too high" line they are basically saying "not our problem")
If anyone is interested...I'll let u know how it all turns out. No offense but this is why I love my Ninja!!!

 

[Magoo]

Thought I would give you all an update: I received the tank back yesterday and the paint job was awesome! BUT... I shook the tank and there was something inside it, so I looked and seen it was a chunk of the tank liner coating about the size of a potato chip that let loose so I called them and they said they would gladly dissolve the entire liner away and re-line it at no cost to me! With this being said, I took it to my local BDM dealership and they sent it back today! I can't say enough how nice and easy it is working with these folks at BDM. There's not all that many that take care of you like they are with me!:2thumbs:

Sorry, forgot to follow-up, Got my tank back and they did an awesome job and didn't cost me a cent! They installed an over-flo drain with drain hose and new cap and fuel valve. And also gave me an apology. I think they went way above and beyond what they had to as the paint warranty was over with. H-D would never do that for you! I'm real happy with B-D and wouldn't think twice to buy another new one from them! Just my 2 cents worth. :2thumbs: