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Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



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  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2019
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Painting/Cleaning yellowed Safari Tank?

My originally white Safari tank is now a quite disgusting shade of yellow from sun damage/fuel fumes. While I appreciate that it adds to the overall "penniless motorcycle hobo" look that I generally aim for, I'm vain enough that I'd like a bike that looks vaguely presentable.

Has anyone had any success cleaning, painting, or putting a wrap on a Safari tank? Any tips or tricks to get it to last?

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2019
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: cacak/Serbia
Posts: 174
From my experience acerbis fuel tank is made from porous breathable plastic which can`t be welded or painted..probably safari tank too ?
So far the only paint that sticks to that plastic is ...bumper paint in a spray can
and it is flat black.
Hope this helps, safe ride
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  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hsinclai View Post
My originally white Safari tank is now a quite disgusting shade of yellow from sun damage/fuel fumes. While I appreciate that it adds to the overall "penniless motorcycle hobo" look that I generally aim for, I'm vain enough that I'd like a bike that looks vaguely presentable.

Has anyone had any success cleaning, painting, or putting a wrap on a Safari tank? Any tips or tricks to get it to last?

Thanks!
In short no.

if the tank was not fluoride treated then the petrol vapour gets into the pores of the plastic and there is no getting it out, stickers/wrap will last days not even weeks, and the best plastic bumper paint wont stay on much longer. Only way is to cover up with some kind of tank cover
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  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2019
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ugh, so sounds like not much can be done. Annoying but thanks. If all else fails I may try getting a permanent marker and just doodling on it a bit. Shame the stupid things are so bloody expensive because there's no point replacing just to make it look better.
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  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hsinclai View Post
ugh, so sounds like not much can be done. Annoying but thanks. If all else fails I may try getting a permanent marker and just doodling on it a bit. Shame the stupid things are so bloody expensive because there's no point replacing just to make it look better.
I will modify my reply a bit. I have been told that you can fluoride the tanks after they have been used, I have to say I havent tried, my safari tanks are orange and they dont stand out to bad. You would need to find someone who can do it, I am not 100% certain of the process but it uses fluorine gas inside the tank that reacts with the plastic to provide a barrier to the fumes from the petrol. May be worth looking into but I dont have any personal information.
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