Safari Tank Wrap Experiment - Graphics Feedback Requested

[Oz Nutter]

Originally Posted by DesertSurfer

I'm surprised no one has gotten a stitched safari tank cover out of cotton vinyl like we used to have in the late 70's on our plastic and metal desert tanks. That cotton breathes really well. You can get it in many colors. It's easy to work with. Any good upholsterer can put one together. It would probably be a great UV blocker. You can adhere decals on them.

But I still think the carbon fiber looking plastic wrap looks tits.

All those lucky Safari super Tankers...

Having worked outback, in station country, most of the mustering bikes have fitted canvas coverings on tank/seat to prevent damage (it works too) I reckon old mate above is on to something.

low cost
easily reverts to stock come sale time
easily repaired/resistent to damage
change color/graphics in minutues!!

[shawty950]

This is what I was going to use when I got time

http://www.caswellplating.com/caswel...l-1-quart.html

I even got to the point of emailing Safari to find out the type of plastic...XLPE...and I cant find it now, but am sure I had either an email from caswell or a Product Data sheet that says it will stick to XLPE.

Just havn't had the time.

[Platypus-3in1]

Originally Posted by shawty950

This is what I was going to use when I got time

Just havn't had the time.

Question: If the tank expands and contracts from direct sun/heat ... Does that stuff expand and contract at the same rate ... Will it start to crack and become particles floating in the gas? ... If so that would be a real headache to clean out ... If not that would be a great fix

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by Platypus-3in1

Question: If the tank expands and contracts from direct sun/heat ... Does that stuff expand and contract at the same rate ... Will it start to crack and become particles floating in the gas? ... If so that would be a real headache to clean out ... If not that would be a great fix

If their quoted 3000psi bonding strength is even close to accurate, that should be plenty strong enough to not only keep it bonded, it might actually prevent the tank from expanding in the first place.

The only issue I see is getting the stuff to thoroughly coat all the surfaces evenly... these tanks are oddly-shaped, after all.

[Platypus-3in1]

Originally Posted by Narsisco Lopez

If their quoted 3000psi bonding strength is even close to accurate, that should be plenty strong enough to not only keep it bonded, it might actually prevent the tank from expanding in the first place.

Right! ... What about that stuff going on the outside before a vinyl wrap

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by Platypus-3in1

Right! ... What about that stuff going on the outside before a vinyl wrap

I was also wondering about that. It'd either have to set up smooth enough or at least be sand-able to make the exterior surfaces smooth enough so you don't get weird bumps and drips that would show right through the wrap.

[Platypus-3in1]

Originally Posted by Narsisco Lopez

I was also wondering about that.

How about brushing on this 3000psi sealer ... While it is still wet (DesertSurfer’s & Oz Nutter’s Suggestion) lay Marine Grade Cotton Vinyl over it ... 3rd ... Brush on one more coat ... 4th ...Spray it with sand-able primer / sand ... 5th ... Apply your Wrap or take it to a Paint Shop?


Or ...

Tensile and Sheer are probably different ... 3000psi Bonding would be how much force it would take to pull it off ... Whats the compression & stretch ... I bet its different

Stronger ... Brush on the 3000psi Caswell Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer ... let dry and reapply a couple times ... Wrap the entire tank once or twice with Kevlar or Carbon Fiber sheets .... That might contain any swelling and the sealer might stop the gasses from bubbling Wraps & Paint ...

Sounds good to me ... But ... I wonder ... If that wouldn't be a 10 gallon BOMB waiting to go off