Forum

[grunda 12]

hi matt,i love the petrol tank i think its called patina!!i can recomend plasticote spray cans they sell them at wilkinsons £6.50 a can very nice ,i got 2 cans free from an urban artist that lived at my home for a while (oldest step son) i prefer a brush and matt black from the pound shop on my winter hack ,not wanting to bring the forum in to disrepute ,i believe our host sells spray paint ,just a thought .paul.

[PeteF]

Matt, I'd ask your mate how much he wants. Most of the work is in the prep so you might be surprised how little it might be.

[Matt]

A little progress. I started some prep work anyway and rubbed the tank with 600 and then 1000 wet and dry, gave it a once over lightly with some T-Cut and it has produced these results wich is yet again a vast improvement. I might try again starting with an even lower grit to take as much back as possible of the streaks being carful not to expose metal. A kind of deliberate, refined rustic look. I think it looks quiet cool.

[PeteF]

Don't use T-cut if you're going to paint it, it leaves a residue. I would have though something rougher than 600 for the first go over. You'll need to get rid of all the coachlines as they stand proud of the main surface. You want it "flat" (no shine left) before repainting.

[Matt]

Thanks for the info Pete. I am aware of all of that though mate. I just polished it to see if I could get away without painting it.

[Alan R]

Hi MATT ------------ well, IMHO---- that looks the dog's doo-dah's just as it is, complete with the "Puddle Pose" ----- That would make a good frontispiece for an "Off-road" magazine ------ just one thought}--- I would try using a rubber-mounted rear lamp unit. My Bullet 65 trials bike tended to blow rear bulbs regularly until I improvised a "Flexi-mount" system using rubber grommets and "Penny" washers between the lamp and bodywork, with nyloc nuts tightened up to partially compress them. Works a treat and is adjustable. Now all you need to do is change your name by deed poll to }--Sammy Miller (2nd.) and nip up to the Pipeline !!! LoL.

[Matt]

Alan, you're too kind. I can't stop nipping out to the garage to look at her. Ha. I even snuck out for a midnight polish yesterday. The Mrs was looking everywhere until she twigged and came out to check if it could really be true. And yes, there I was in my slippers, dressing gown and wollen hat, oily rag in hand. She couldn't believe it! I'm not even joking. The rear light that I have on there is a rubber mounted one from our hosts. Only about a tenner and perfectly suited for green lane action. It looks good to. I don't know about Sammy Miller mate, he could be 150 years old and still faster than me! Have you ever been to his museum. I'm thinking of heading down there at some point.

[Matt]

OK, with one last rub down I think I've cracked it. I stared with 120, then 400 and then a brief 1000 grit (I don't want to to posh and shinny! Ha) I then Turtle Waxed it to protect it. It now looks worn and old (which it is) but smart, not filthy. Here's a before and after. I think I've saved myself some bother now and have no need to re paint the tank.

BEFORE AND AFTER

[Matt]

AND AFTER

[Alan R]

Hi matey !!---------- there you go !! That's even better now and yes, I think you've achieved that particular "look" as well. Yep, have been to sammy Millers place a couple of times and can tell you it's really WORTH GOING !! Have a look at this }------ http://sammymiller.co.uk/ --------------- As you can see it's not just his museum but an activity centre as well so your dear lady will have something to look at also. ( VERY important, that one I think )----- Just popping out to the garage in your slippers etc ?? Join the club---oh, you already have, haven't you ?? Not to worry mate, there's 100's more doing just the same. I'm fortunate in that my garage/workshop is built-on the side of the house , so I have internal access at all times.....still damm cold though---even the thread cutting paste(Trefolux)needs pre-heating !! ----- have a look at the wiring loom just by the de-compressor lever---- could do with some heat-shrink tidying perhaps ?? Next thing is to post a short vid. of you "pluggin-the-mud" on You-tube ??