SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550
Removing dodgy liner from a pristine painted tank
AshimotoK0:
I just sold my NOS CB500K1 Candy Custom Gold tank and nice matching side panels to member Sandyrob on here.
He showed me his original tank and side panels. They have been painted really nicely but the tank has been lined and the liner is breaking up with evidence of rust underneath. Why anyone would do such a superb paint job on a badly lined fuel tank is beyond belief. It also turned out that his bike is a K1 (he told me the frame starts with a 2) but the paintwork is definitely Candy Starlight Gold with the 'Made in Japan' emblems on the side panels plus the seat has the K0 style cover on it. Another clue that it's a K1 is the idiot light panel has not 'TURN' not 'FLASH'.. although parts can have obviously been swapped.
He asked me if I know anyone who can remove his old tank liner (unknown type) without damaging the paint but it's a pretty tall order I reckon. Anyone on here done this or have any ideas? The only one I ever did , I chucked a load of caustic soda pellets into the tank and poured in really hot water via a length of garden hose/ funnel arrangement. There was a load of nasty fumes, gushing and gurgling but it sure removed the old liner (not that I suggesting in any way that Rob tries this on such a lovely painted tank).
I did wonder if you did the hydrolysis method for rust removal on it, it may somehow get under the liner where there are patches of liner already removed and loosen it. Acetone would definitely be out of the question.
I guess he is going to have a lovely set of Candy Starlight Gold side panels for sale. Whoever painted the bike made a cracking job ...pity about the liner !
Skoti:
I'm watching this thread because I made the mistake of lining my (rusty but not leaking) tank about 10 years ago.
The lining is now starting to bubble up along the bottom of the tank (which was probably my fault for allowing too much pooling) but it's not actually broken up yet.
However I kept the old paint can and have been trying to find a solvent that will dissolve samples of the hardened liner, but so far no luck.
Be nice if it could be also removed without damaging the paint finish.
Let's see what happens here...
exvalvesetdabbler:
When I was cleaning up stuff for plating, electrolysis removed previous back paint on screws and the choke lever. It has to work it's way in from edges so I would expect it to be a slow job for a wider surface area.
Regards
Dave
K2-K6:
I don't know what this is Ash (could be acetone or similar) but looks to be specifically for removal https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335608071954 perhaps an enquiry could produce more information.
AshimotoK0:
--- Quote from: K2-K6 on May 01, 2026, 08:10:51 PM ---I don't know what this is Ash (could be acetone or similar) but looks to be specifically for removal https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335608071954 perhaps an enquiry could produce more information.
--- End quote ---
Evidently The product uses dioxolane (CAS: 646-06-0) to break down polymers.
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