How can I clean a yellowed (white) gas tank?

corksil · August 26th, 2017, 04:30 PM

I've got new plastics on the bike, all are white. The original tank is white, but being as it's 20+ years old, the tank has become quite yellow and does not match the other new white plastics.

I've tried one or two different solvents, I'm not keen on re-painting it either.

Any ideas?

I can take a picture if it helps..

It's a plastic tank and I want it to be brilliant bright white again.

jkv45 · August 26th, 2017, 06:47 PM

Pretty sure the yellowing is not going to "buff out". The plastic itself, or the clear coat if it has one, has yellowed over time from exposure to UV or the elements.

I don't think it's possible to get it back to white with chemicals or abrasives.

Triple Jim · August 26th, 2017, 07:18 PM

Just curious... what bike has the plastic tank?

corksil · August 27th, 2017, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

Pretty sure the yellowing is not going to "buff out". The plastic itself, or the clear coat if it has one, has yellowed over time from exposure to UV or the elements.

I don't think it's possible to get it back to white with chemicals or abrasives.

Yeah, I more or less came to the same conclusion. Which led me here to ask for advice. I can't afford a new tank, and have to figure out how to make this one white again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Just curious... what bike has the plastic tank?

A 95' yamaha 80 that isn't an 80 anymore. It's a hell of a lot bigger in terms of piston size and engine work. Set up for street riding with the proper wheels/tires and lights/turn-signals to match. Street legal yz80 with a plastic tank.

MrAtom · August 27th, 2017, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corksil

A 95' yamaha 80 that isn't an 80 anymore. It's a hell of a lot bigger in terms of piston size and engine work. Set up for street riding with the proper wheels/tires and lights/turn-signals to match. Street legal yz80 with a plastic tank.

I love your posts, corksil.

Flying · August 28th, 2017, 10:29 AM

Try submerging in an acid such as vinegar, then try using hydrogen peroxide.

corksil · August 29th, 2017, 01:44 PM

^^ That's an interesting suggestion. I'm going to try vinegar and will report back with results. Submerging the tank would mean that I'd have to take it off the bike, but a couple gallons of vinegar, and find a suitable container to soak it in. Sounds difficult but if it were to work out... it would be worth it.

Triple Jim · August 29th, 2017, 02:29 PM

Before you bother soaking the whole tank, soak a folded paper towel in whatever magic solution you want to try and lay it on the tank. Cover it with plastic wrap and seal it with tape. Come back the next day and see if it did anything helpful.

corksil · August 30th, 2017, 07:18 PM

^^^^ Seeing as I have white cider vinegar in the garage for washing window glass, and an abundance of rags and tape... I'm going to go do that right now.

The reason I made this thread is to figure out if there is indeed a magic solution or chemical.

I hate to say it.. but I don't think such a chemical exists.

Time to do more research..

corksil · August 30th, 2017, 07:24 PM

Stock fuel capacity is 1.3gal......

I'm seeing oversize tanks that hold 2.2gal...

There is no way of documenting the "range" of this bike until the trailtech goes on, and it realllllly varies depending on riding style. Puttering about doesn't use anywhere near as much fuel as screaming through the gears.

Dangit I wish everything weren't so damn expensive.

August 26th, 2017, 04:30 PM	#1
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	How can I clean a yellowed (white) gas tank? I've got new plastics on the bike, all are white. The original tank is white, but being as it's 20+ years old, the tank has become quite yellow and does not match the other new white plastics. I've tried one or two different solvents, I'm not keen on re-painting it either. Any ideas? I can take a picture if it helps.. It's a plastic tank and I want it to be brilliant bright white again. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

August 29th, 2017, 01:44 PM	#7
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	^^ That's an interesting suggestion. I'm going to try vinegar and will report back with results. Submerging the tank would mean that I'd have to take it off the bike, but a couple gallons of vinegar, and find a suitable container to soak it in. Sounds difficult but if it were to work out... it would be worth it. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

August 29th, 2017, 02:29 PM	#8
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Before you bother soaking the whole tank, soak a folded paper towel in whatever magic solution you want to try and lay it on the tank. Cover it with plastic wrap and seal it with tape. Come back the next day and see if it did anything helpful.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 30th, 2017, 07:18 PM	#9
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	^^^^ Seeing as I have white cider vinegar in the garage for washing window glass, and an abundance of rags and tape... I'm going to go do that right now. The reason I made this thread is to figure out if there is indeed a magic solution or chemical. I hate to say it.. but I don't think such a chemical exists. Time to do more research.. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

August 30th, 2017, 07:24 PM	#10
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Stock fuel capacity is 1.3gal...... I'm seeing oversize tanks that hold 2.2gal... There is no way of documenting the "range" of this bike until the trailtech goes on, and it realllllly varies depending on riding style. Puttering about doesn't use anywhere near as much fuel as screaming through the gears. Dangit I wish everything weren't so damn expensive. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

August 26th, 2017, 06:47 PM	#2
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Pretty sure the yellowing is not going to "buff out". The plastic itself, or the clear coat if it has one, has yellowed over time from exposure to UV or the elements. I don't think it's possible to get it back to white with chemicals or abrasives.

August 26th, 2017, 07:18 PM	#3
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Just curious... what bike has the plastic tank?

August 28th, 2017, 10:29 AM	#6
Flying ninjette.org sage Name: - Location: somewhere cold Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 596 Blog Entries: 1	Try submerging in an acid such as vinegar, then try using hydrogen peroxide.

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