Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Is the Redkote failing and peeling off? If so, I guess I would try to remove with a chain or screws first. I would then just use a good thick coat of Caswell, it will seal and lock in all the junk floating around as well as seal the holes. I have used MEK and stuff, it really is a mess and a pain.

 

If it were me, id want that redkote out of there, if its got 2 coats of redkote now and still leaking I think you'd just be layering Caswell over a problem and you'd end up with a very think liner thats likely to crack and fail. (IMHO)

it may be a pain to remove it but id give it a go if I were you

 

http://www.gas-tank.com/bike.htm

 

" with a new to me rear shock" - What is the "new" shock, a working stock one or something different?

 

It was a nice, low mile, stock shock.

 

Like he said!

 

I know you are right and I will probably go this route. I just need to figure out what is better, MEK or Acetone.

I think Home Depot sells gallon cans of either one. Maybe I can get rid of the waste by letting it evaporate off.

 

MEK is a vile, cancer-causing chemical, and disposing of used quantities violates every environmental rule in the books. of course, if you don't care............................

 

Is it really any worse than acetone, toluene or other harsh chemicals?

 

MEK is..... I am shocked you can buy it off the shelf. It melts plastic.

 

It doesn't melt it, it dissolves it - it is a solvent after all. Acetone, more commonly called finger nail polish remover, will do the same to ABS plastics. You're right it's nasty stuff but they are great at cleaning things and they can make a nice fuel additive from time to time too.

 

That's the problem, I DO care. That is why this is so difficult. The City of Houston will take waste MEK or Acetone but they only accept it 2 times a month. I can accommodate disposing of it properly. I was just hoping the Caswell's would just magically seal right over the REDJOKE. I am thinking it won't adhere properly.

 

You can, but it is not the same strength as the "Good Old Days" Thank goodness.

You also used to be able to buy carbon tetrachloride (which would clean anything instantly) but is was a severely deadly chemical and was banned.

 

The old stuff was Methyl Ethyl Deathyl.

But it worked really good.

 

I guarantee that if you don't remove it now, you will end up doing it later.

 

also known as dry cleaning fluid.

 

Do Caswell and start riding in 24 hours, enjoy a fun riding season or two out of it. If you have the funds and interest after that then send it off for an expensive complete refurb.

Same ol' thing - fast, cheap, good, pick two...

 

Well, it looks like Acetone takes off Redkote pretty well.....$35.00 worth of Redkote and $17.00 of Acetone....what a waste of time this particular coating was.

 

It took a while but acetone finally took out 99% of the REDKOTE from the tank. I ordered up a Caswell's kit and will give it a go tomorrow!
With any luck I will be riding at Thanksgiving!

 

^^ good stuff, more than u need for one tank, keep temp above 70F to cure.