Stip and polish fuel tank?

[landyworld]

Is it possible to remove the paint and polish the brass on the fuel tank? Has anyone done a good job of it? Any pictures? If not, what paint is best for the tank?

Thanks,

Mike

[Rob Ripley]

It can be done, but what about the labels? and would you gold/chrome the flywheel to match?

[billyboy]

this was my first attempt at polishing ..... the photo doesnt do the brass justice but the flywheel looks ok. you can see where i have polished the tank around the front. the smudge mark is from a dirty hand...... with the experience gained by doing these i think i will do it more quickly and easily next time. dont worry about paint....the bare metal looks much better!

[Charles uk]

Early Mk1 Villiers flywheels as fitted to the 1950's 102's, when new, were mirror finished polished.

[billyboy]

i know. the cover on my LLS flywheel WAS literally a mirror on the underside when i removed it. probably still is. the one in the picture though is a wipac originally painted gold

[Collector Inspector]

Sounds like someone is into "Shiny Fetish USA"

Ah, leave things as they were, much nicer at the end of the day eh?

B

[landyworld]

Shiny fetish USA? haha

I think leaving well alone might be the best idea if nothing else just to save the time and effort. Gotta admit though, that polished tank does look the mutts nuts!

I have found some exhaust tubes on the evil bay so thats half the battle! Now I just need to see if someone knows whats up with my drive problem.....

[phil]

Before you strip and polish it you need to ask yourself am I the kind of person who is willing to do the very regular polishing that is necessary to keep it looking shipshape? Spent any time in the Navy? Have lots of spare time on your hands?
Otherwise you will spend a lot of time getting it all flashy and then in a few months it will look much worse than with the proper factory paint job.
Especially true should you decide to take it out of its special alcove/shrine in the most prominent place in your house and actually use it.

[cahillp3]

clear lacquer not help a bit?

[phil]

When the lacquer starts to get worn it will not look good either, and it is often difficult to strip off. There was a good reason the factory painted it black, but to each his own, just so you know what to expect with each option.

[billyboy]

you are right.....to each his own. but a polished tank requires little more maintenance than a polished flywheel or carby or bottom end! what was the "good reason" behind the factory producing those then?

[phil]

My opinion? Low maintenance, classy look.

[billyboy]

my point was that at one stage the factory polished nearly everything except the tank and the block.so i am tipping that an early seagull owner had a little work to do to keep his motor looking good black tank or not. after shining up all that anodised ally .... a brass tank would have taken next to no time by comparison! so if low maintenance was a priority back then.....somebody got it terribly wrong eh?

[phil]

As you said, at one stage.

The only point that I am trying to make is be aware of your options. Polish it if it makes you happy.

[woodbutchergraham]

I Have polished both my 40+ and the 102, (sad i know ) but at least i dont have to worry to much about spilling fuel and melting paint.