Gasoline Resistance

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RoyDB

Guest
Four days after applying my last coat of clear on a motorcycle gas tank, I assumed that it was safe to add some fuel. I inadvertently dripped some on the paint, and it left spots and streaks. Wiping it off just smeared it terribly and removed the gloss. I have two questions:
Will my acrylic lacquer paint ever cure enough to be resistant to gasoline?
If not, is there a type of clear coat that can be applied over my acrylic lacquer that will seal it and protect it?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
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LudicrousSpeed

New member
It has been my experience that Laquer will never be fuel resistant. I had a vehicle that was 25 years old and it affected the paint.

I would think that you could scuff the whole tank up and shoot it with Urethane clear and be fine. Urethane isn't 100 % resistant, but much better.......
 
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RoyDB

Guest
If I spray urethane on top of acrylic lacquer, will it be compatable? I am afraid that it will either bubble or not adhere.
 
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rex

New member
Urethane holds up great but double check with a paint manufacturer for compatability.Most products in today's systems under the clear say they're compatable "over cured and sanded OEM lacquer" and usually there's no mention in the clear specs.One problem you will run into is the cured part,lacquer takes along time to finally dry out the solvents.Stop by your local jobber and ask them and if they don't know they can call or give you the # to the techline to find out what they have that will work.
 
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tcannon

Guest
Lacquer top coat is not a good choice for use on any motorcycle. I have shot acrylic urethane clears over lacquer with good results. You do need to let the lacquer cure for about a week (@ 70 deg more if cooler) before clearing with the urethane. This lets the lacquer out-gas (solvent cure) reducing the chance of "craters" from the lacquer curing. Remember, lacquer tends to be more "brittle" than the urethanes. It will increase the chance of those spider web hairline cracks later down the road. Good Luck, TC
 
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RoyDB

Guest
Thanks for all the help. The urethane over the lacquer worked just fine. I haven't spilled gas on it yet to test it's resistance, but it has to be better than the lacquer. This was my first flame project, and although I am critical of the flaws that only I am aware of, everyone else raves about it. Thanks again for the support.
 
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