Kz 400 tank.....Need opinions

Ok, im up in the air on what i wanna do with my tank on my kz 400, it still has the original paint but there are several dents, and the paint and clear coat is chipped and faded pretty bad. I wanna fust take it down to bare metal, bondo the dents and paint it a metallic bluish color. I wouldnt even be thinking about this but the tank just looks horrible IMHO.........definatly would look better with a repaint...........i dunno what to do? Any suggestion's guy's? Thanks

To repair the dents,I'd try the paintless repair places and see what they say,and as for repainting,ask around the bike shops, they seem to know local guys doing good paint jobs.

the tank is dented and faded already right so how bad you mess it up if you did it your selfa good learning experiance for you jim take a shot what have you got to lose.

I wouldn't take it down to bare metal. It will be easier to smooth out if you first work on the bad spots then sand the whole thing smooth, prime it, and then check for uneven areas. Talk to some folks at paint shops and pick their brains even if you decide to do it yourself. I think they'll tell you they generally don't strip to bare when repairing cars or bikes. Ed

650ed wrote:

I wouldn't take it down to bare metal. It will be easier to smooth out if you first work on the bad spots then sand the whole thing smooth, prime it, and then check for uneven areas. Talk to some folks at paint shops and pick their brains even if you decide to do it yourself. I think they'll tell you they generally don't strip to bare when repairing cars or bikes. Ed

Defiantly don't go down to the metal except where the dents are. Most primers don't stick to bare metal, you first need to spray an etching primer. I'd just sand it with 150 and do the bodywork, take your time and use a mixing stick as a block. Wrap your sandpaper around the stick.
Mark

Wow.......thanks guy's. I am going to paint it myself. I will take it down to the bare metal in the dented spots, bondo it, then sand the wohole thing with 150 grit till smooth, primer, sand smooth again, lay down the mettalic blue, then clear coat.......thanks guys.

how big are the dents? try laying a little lead in there,much more permanent

You can also apply air pressure to the inside of the tank to remove some dents. I have done this a couple of times and dont recommend going over about 15psi. It can be very dangerous if you get crazy with it but it can save alot of elbow grease. Dont do it if you dont feel comfortable with it I'm just offering a suggestion.

Where empty tank is warm from sitting in the sun, applying dry ice to a dent might reduce or pop it out. Odds are unfavorable, but it's a cheap and easy first effort and won't further damage the finish.

Good Luck!

I bought this neat little kit that uses hot glue to stick these pads to the dent with. When the glue cools and sets, you put this wheel puller kind of thing on it and pull the dent out. Works pretty good on some dents that don't have creases. Pour some rubbing alchohol on it and the pad comes right off. And it doesn't hurt the paint. I think I bought it at Autozone.

ya i seen that when i was at autozone the other day. I might pick it up and give it a shot.

Jim strip it down, weld the filler shut and put in a recessed filler, cut off the welded seem and smooth that out. Then you will be !