5 Best Paints to Use on a Motorcycle Gas Tank
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, we may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see our full disclosure policy for details.
Are you looking to give your motorcycle gas tank a new look? Or need to repair damage or scratches with new paint? With so many different paints available, knowing which ones are right for the job can be hard.
Fortunately, in this post, we will cover some of the best paint options for taking on your motorcycle’s gas tank project – from enamels and alkyds to epoxies! We’ll also touch on some key tips and considerations when picking up your paintbrush. So whether you’re giving a full overhaul or just adding that finishing touch – let’s dive into our top picks for customizing any bike’s gas tank!
1. Dupli-Color Aerosol
Dupli-Color Aerosol paint is a popular choice among motorcycle enthusiasts looking for high-quality, easy-to-use paint. This spray paint provides excellent coverage and can be used on various surfaces, including metal and plastic. Dupli-Color Aerosol paint comes in various colors and finishes, so you can choose the perfect shade to match your style and preferences. This paint dries quickly and is designed to resist chipping, fading, and other damage during normal use. Dupli-Color Aerosol paint is an excellent option for anyone looking to give their motorcycle gas tank a fresh new look.
2. Empire GP
If you only want your tank painted, Empire GP will get it done for about $275 or less if it is a solid color.
The Empire GP is purposely designed to physically stick itself or the substrate to which it is applied. This aim is achieved by stirring an acid with the paint so that the acid microscopically etches the surface of the substrate, thus resulting in a physical and chemical bond between the two.
3. Lacquer
Lacquer is an economical way out. It’s easy to spray and very forgiving. Any blemishes can be easily wet, sanded, and buffed out. Though its odors are not all that good for you, you have your tank perfectly painted. Another issue you may not like about this gas tank paint is the longevity of fuel spills. If I repaint it in the future, I will shoot it with lacquer and carry a tissue with me. I used to carry some, and if I spilled any gas, I dipped it in the window wash tank at the pumps and got it wiped off.
Lacquer paint is a material that contains resin, which provides a durable finish to hard-wearing surfaces such as furniture. It has a distinct composition from regular latex or oil-based paint, so the application is different too.
4. PP&G
PP&G paint is a fast-drying paint manufactured from pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. The paints are water-soluble but become water-resistant when it is dry. Depending on how much you modify with acrylic gels mediums or pastes or how much the paint is diluted with water, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolor, an oil painting, or a gouache or have its unique characteristics not attainable with others.
Many go for PP&G paint. The shopping products are good enough. But like a friend once said, there is a lot of stuff you need to have a compressor that can maintain 6SCFM per min if you’re using an HVLP pressure gun. You can use a 1.4 mm tip to shoot the paint. The paint isn’t cheap at 30 bucks for the primer, 50 bucks for the paint, and 50 bucks for the clear. You can also carry extra gas with a can.
5. SprayMax
SprayMax also comes in any color formulation from some vendors. It is widely used by auto body shops to spray bumpers and other jobs requiring touch-up work, especially in areas lower on the body. I plan to try the black on some tanks when the temperature gets warm enough to paint here.
If you choose to do a rattle can job, consider SprayMax. It’s 2k clear in a rattle can. It has a second chamber inside that holds the hardener. When you’re ready to use it, you use a plunger to pop the hardener canister, and it releases it into the paint. The can is set to go for 24 hours.
Advantages
- Maximum resistance to abrasion and scratching
- Very smooth flow
- Lasting high gloss
- Very good palatability
- No color deviation
- Outstanding paint surface
- Suitable even at higher ambient temperatures
- Ideally suited for large surfaces
How Much It Costs To Paint a Motorcycle Gas Tank
The price varies by a huge amount based on the job’s quality, the design’s complexity, the amount of prep required, the type and color of the paint, and the number of pieces to be painted.
A modest one-color black paint job for a gas tank that has been sanded and prepped already can be as low as $200. A two or three-color job on fenders, gas tanks, side covers, fairing, and hard bags, which includes full prep, coachwork, and installation, can cost around $4,000.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you a guide on the best paint to use on your motorcycle gas tank and provides you with tips on how to get your tank painted. If you still struggle to paint your motorcycle gas tank, I recommend you take your tank to professionals to get it painted for you.
Read More
- Top 5 Best Spray Paint For Motorcycle Frame
- 6 Best Motorcycle Batwing Fairing
- 6 Best Motorcycle Shocks
- 6 Best Motorcycle Cargo Nets
- Top 5 Best Air Cleaners For Harley Street Glide
