Problem with Dark (matte black) paint

[Ducnial]

Chances are the gas simply stripped whatever wax or sealent the previous owner applied. I've got a '07 Ti S4R w/similar flat grey paint and black stripe .  Rather than fighting it I just waxed the tank all over.  It will make it slightly more glossy but it will even things out and provide limited protection. If you don't like strip it off by taking taking alcohol to it. Avoid denatured ethanol as it contains a strong solvent as the denaturing agent.  Ducpainter can probably give better recommendation though.

[dutchy73]

If there is wax on there, can't you just use something like household dishwashing soap? usually that strips off anything oil based, including any silicone or carnuba wax hat might be on there, hence people shouldn't use that to wash their cars. Ducpainter, would this work to remove any wax?

[RBX QB]

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.

Are you sure? I've done things to my dark that would have resulted in MAJOR scratches if it had a finish, of any type, on it.

[red baron]

send it to dupainter for a proper paint job and call it done.

[DY]

Clean the rest of it with petrol so it matches.

+1  sometimes the simplest answer is the right answer.   

[Howie]

Are you sure? I've done things to my dark that would have resulted in MAJOR scratches if it had a finish, of any type, on it.

If I remember correctly, there were European market dark tanks that were color impregnated, but the US models had painted metal tanks.  The early plastic tanks failed to meet some US test.  Unless you have one of those Euro tanks, your tank is painted.  Never mind, '06, painted.

[ducpainter]

If there is wax on there, can't you just use something like household dishwashing soap? usually that strips off anything oil based, including any silicone or carnuba wax hat might be on there, hence people shouldn't use that to wash their cars. Ducpainter, would this work to remove any wax?

Dishwashing liquid won't remove wax as far as I know.

I use dishwashing liquid to wash cars/bikes all the time.

It removes grease pretty well.

[SaltLick]

One time i was at a gas station filling my tank and the gas wouldnt turn off and it got full and kept going spilling ALOT of gas all over my tank im talking you mine as well took a 5 gallon bucket of gas and poured it over the tank (and me and my bike). I drove home took me about 30 minutes with that much gas spilled all over my tank. Got home, washed the bike down and had no problems with streaking or anything. Paint job and clear coat was still perfect. So i would think some gas spilled then wiped right up wouldnt cause a problem.

I would almost think it was an aftermarket paint job, with either no clear coating or a really thin layer of one. 

[Le Pirate]

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?

He could be lying to you to hide the fact that he dropped the bike or something in the past...just a thought.

my dark paint is fine, and spill gas on it all the time.