Problem with Dark (matte black) paint

[desmopr]

Thanks for the tip about only using the prop rod with less than a 1/4 tank.

I only had the tank on the prop rod for about 30 seconds then I noticed the fuel leaking from the filler. I immediately unpropped the tank and wiped-up the gas.

Seems odd that no one else has had this problem. I wonder if it is because the local fuel supply recently changed to 10% ethanol?

Has anyone else had this problem?

Like mentioned above no problems here and fuel spilled numerous times.  Even with that crappy 10% ethanol gas.  I have propped the tank almost full for hours and no problem here.  Tank was metal if it makes a difference.

[bucky]

I had a dark for a couple of years with 20K+ miles on it with no problems with the paint from fuel.  Only scratches on the tank were from being knocked over a number of times...... not by me .   Anyway multiple spills with all flavors of fuel, ethanol and all, with no problems with the paint.

Maybe your tank was repainted, which could be why it was spotless.... since the dark doesn't have a clear coat to protect it, it is suseptable to scratching easily.  Then again I only had experience with metal tanks.  Hope that helps.

[Howie]

There is a possibility someone used a wax on the tank and the streaks are in the wax.  If so, a wax remover like Prepsol should fix it, but try it first in a spot that doesn't show.  If the tank was repainted the Prepsol could make things worse, possibly much worse.

[ducpainter]

There is a possibility someone used a wax on the tank and the streaks are in the wax.  If so, a wax remover like Prepsol should fix it, but try it first in a spot that doesn't show.  If the tank was repainted the Prepsol could make things worse, possibly much worse.

Prepsol won't hurt activated fully cured paint.

[sk8board]

Thanks for the advice. I will Prepsol a try.

[Mother]

Thanks for the tip about only using the prop rod with less than a 1/4 tank.

I only had the tank on the prop rod for about 30 seconds then I noticed the fuel leaking from the filler. I immediately unpropped the tank and wiped-up the gas.

Seems odd that no one else has had this problem. I wonder if it is because the local fuel supply recently changed to 10% ethanol?

Has anyone else had this problem?

we run winter gas here and I never had a streaking issue with the stock Dark paint

Do you have a plastic tank?

[Howie]

Prepsol won't hurt activated fully cured paint.

True, but we don't know if it is.

[Scottish]

Hehehehe.... my man what you need is a paint job that developes character as it "matures", buck the Duc trend and go MDK.

Fack all the polishing and buffing. 

[ducpainter]

True, but we don't know if it is.

True...

that's why you warned him to try it in an inconspicuous spot.

[sk8board]

I contacted the previous owner. He said the tank was never repainted and he never waxed the tank.

Does anyone know if the factory Dark finish has a clearcoat?

If it does not have a clearcoat, can I use a rubbing compound to remove the streaks in the paint?

[mmakay]

If it does not have a clearcoat, can I use a rubbing compound to remove the streaks in the paint?

Rubbing compound will likely make glossy patches if you try it.

[Howie]

If it is factory paint there is no clear coat.  Wax or compound will add luster plus, if you use compound you may find out how thin the paint is.

[desmopr]

Can you post a nice quality pic?  Maybe the experts can help you further...

[RBX QB]

sk8... what year is your bike? I wonder if some of the older "dark" bikes are painted, vs integral color. I know my '06 is the plastic tank, which would be the same throughout.

Did Duc ever make a painted dark tank? (Can you tell I don't know much about the older style Monsters?)

[ducpainter]

sk8... what year is your bike? I wonder if some of the older "dark" bikes are painted, vs integral color. I know my '06 is the plastic tank, which would be the same throughout.

Did Duc ever make a painted dark tank? (Can you tell I don't know much about the older style Monsters?)

All current production Duc tanks are painted...

plastic or steel...

by current I mean the last 10+ years.

You have to go back to the GT era to find color impregnated composites...not plastic per se.