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I painted my 1979 kz400 LTD tank which happens to be the same as my 1980 kz440 LTD. Anyways i did some measurements to make the side teardrops the same size as on original tank, did an electric blue duplicolor, and dupli color aryclic lacquer white. Then clear coat. Taped off and scotched brited where i was applying one shot metallic gold pinstripe. 

Anyone know why gas makes the paint go soft amd eff itself up? I thought automotive dupli color would work. Wetsanded and applied fine. Eager to do my kz1000 sidecar, but guess ill have to do a spray setup with compressor...

It's the clearcoat. It has petrol-resistant properties but it isn't like the one the manufacturers use. I don't know exactly why that is. Some people say you have to wait about a month for it to outgas, before it's properly petrol resistant. Anyway, when I painted my 440 I decided to not use clearcoat. I know, it's sacrilege. But one drop of petrol on the clearcoat you get as a consumer will ruin the tank... So I used a good petrol resistant paint with proven petrol resistance, and heavily waxed it, with a solid block of wax. Splashed petrol doesn't touch it now. If you splash petrol on it, you just rub it off in a circular motion with a cloth. Just one of those things where the product (petrol resistant lacquer / clear coat) never seems to work out.

Also, pinhole leaks in the fuel tank will lift up the paint from underneath.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationDupli color paint is not fuel resistant, but the color selection is great, so I still use it on gas tanks. The trick is to use 2K clear coat. It is a 2 part paint in a spray can that will protect your dupli color paint.

Beautiful job on that 440 tank.

I'm not sure you can get a paint job that is truly gas proof anymore.

I had a professional auto-body shop paint a tank for me.  They said gas won't affect it.  I asked if I had to wait a month and they said it would be gas proof right away. But I did a test on the underside right after I got it back and gasoline took the paint off.  It had whatever clearcoat they used on cars. I'm glad I didn't test the top side.  That was 10 years ago and I was super careful not to get any gas on the paint ever. I would refill very slowly at the pump to prevent gas from spraying back out.  I wonder if the paint is more durable now after aging.  I'm still afraid to test it. 

For what it's worth, I used 2k clear on my bike and it holds up fine to gas - little droplets don't cause any issues, and recently I dripped a lot down the side as I was in a hurry - wiped it up with a paper towel and the clear is just as glossy without harm. I think I used 2 or 3 coats. 

I know others had success using the clear coat from House of Kolor.

Sorry to bring back this zombie thread, or whatever its called.

Just wanted to say it looks awesome, especially for the area.

If any one wants to keep this thread alive, are these still the color brands to go with?  Duplicolor and then the 2k clearcoat?  I see NAPA will mix any color in a can, but I don't know if they are quality or not.  Any color and at a local shop is awfully tempting though!

Also, love the boots.  Def doing that to my bike!

By loudhvx:  .... I'm not sure you can get a paint job that is truly gas proof anymore. ...
I had a professional auto-body shop paint a tank for me.  They said gas won't affect it.  I asked if I had to wait a month and they said it would be gas proof right away. But I did a test on the underside right after I got it back and gasoline took the paint off.  It had whatever clearcoat they used on cars....

Strange.  My fuel tank was done at a dealership & it has been fuel proof from the get go. 
I don't remember how long ago it was painted but at least 7 yrs.  I assume it has a polyurethane clear coat. ???

1981 KZ650-CSR. Metallic Navy Blue w Silver graphics on tank. pro bono by JC.