How to save a white tank that has gone brown/yellow

I got two 32 oz bottles for 4.72 a piece and will be washing the tank tonite and getting it ready to start this project. Will post pics up at some point

Yeah, pics would be cool. Thanks.

After the first night and one day on my roof. It has made some progress. The original picture is on the last page. Will post pics of progress as the days go on.

Much whiter, good progress.

That is looking better. I have one in the "cooker" now, too. I'm also into it 1.5 days....thinking it might work but time will tell. Got a rear fender "baking" just to see if it will clean up. I'll also post photos.

Thanks guys. It's getting there. That tank was the worst of the 85 tanks I have so only time will tell. Definitely working though. Luckily the rest of my 85 stuff is in good shape. I do have an 83 front fender I'd like to do but gotta make sure it works first

that and has seen a huge improvement

so question,,,
is this the stuff that makes bubble headed bleach blondes
if so will my bike be ok to ride
"I mean like for sure"

totally!

That will work as long as the discoloration is not from premix leaching through the tank material from the inside out. Acerbis tanks are know to leach through until the tank is about 5 years old.

As long as you aren't chewing gum at the same time.

The are no silver bullets I am afraid.

I have tried both peroxide and chlorine based bleaches. Nothing worked better for me than finding a tank in better condition than the one you own. Use a razor blade to scrape of the surface layers of brown stain. If this improves the situation then good. By all means attempt to bleach using a big tank of household bleach or else make a paste with hydrogen peroxide and paint it on and leave. Tried them all with limited to no success depending on how bad the tank was to start with.

Best advice I can offer is keep an eye out for a better tank than the one you have. Use a full coverage white perforated decal to cover the tank - MXM make them for the 84 model. Other wise make a template for the decal using paper and then buy the decal material and cut your own decal.

I always drain my tanks completely after each riding day/weekend using a siphon.

I tried the peroxide treatment for a week. I got mixed results: the old fender still looks a bit grey but the tank was improved a bit. It is now, what I would call, a light almond color....not a pure white but an improvement. Considering treating the tank some more but that will have to wait until after vacation...!!

Here's the rear fender.....

It definitely works. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to work on mine but should be back on it after the weekend. Good progress!

can't wait to try it on mine
those are huge improvements

I find that Rustoleum white paint for plastic does a great on fenders and side covers. I did that on the plastic for my 84 250WR fenders and airbox about 3 years ago and still looks great

I have the UV light from working on my tanks.
Got a wet long weekend so im working on bikes, no riding..
Before shot on the 86 tank, not ugly but brighter white will be better.

Looking real good. FYI...I didn't use the Salon Care 40 but something I picked up at a local beauty supply shop. It is called Dioxygen Creme Developer 40 (see attached). It was like $5.65 for 32 fl oz. The lady who assisted me said the peroxide comes in different concentrations...like 40-50-60-70. I'm thinking that perhaps a higher concentration might work even better. Thinking about trying it on another tank that I have secreted in the garage overhead....

I skin mine with thin cloth and epoxy, then paint white. Its a bit more work than the peroxide but its permanent.

Very happy for the effort this took. Its damn close to milk again.
I got the 4 stroke going right now and used a 1/2 a bottle so far.
I did change the goop about every 6 hours. I hit the 86 tank about 18 hours a side.
Its slow to get it white but worth it.


with no sun on the tank