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TBL is not as tough as you may think. Yes, it will take a pounding in the bed of a truck and not peel, chip or crack, but it scratches just as easily as paint.
Yeh, and further, TBL is hard(er) to clean because it sorta 'holds' dirt. And it is NOT impervious to Fuel.
The Bike was sold to me TBL'd, but very sloppily done (can you say OVERSCHPRAY!!!) and in need of touch up as well. As I got into the BodyPanels I got an idea for a (simple) graphic on the Tank. As I REALLY got into it, I thought I'd 'mask' "KLR", TBL over that, and peel off the letters to show a SemiGloss background in "KLR". My concern now is 'protecting' the Tank Paint. I never expected TBL to save me from brush marks or scrapes any better than paint. I know TBL will 'hide' blemishes/marks/scuffs better as the surface finished is so rough (makes 'OrangePeel' look smoooov!).
Effectively I had a Calico Kaw when I first done brung her home in that the undersides were black, green and blue (parts from at least 2 other bikes in addition to my OEM pieces... i.e. shrouds). I replaced a chopped Acerbis SuperMoto fender (way-too-short) for a stock long-a$$ one, had to get a RearFender/UnderFender as there was none on this bike, and opted for a new (used) Fuel Tank as the stock 'Green' one was some-KINA-FUGLY (and had a coupla healthy dings)!!! So, leftovers from DipStickPreviousOwners, a hodge-podge of different parts from different bikes and TBL on everything (including overspray on windshield, frame, rim, SwingArm, etc).
Yeh, thought longNhard about it... and discover there's NEVER a perfect solution for anything other than accepting that I'm committed now (most-a the work done, just final coats upcoming).
Thanks for the advice though!
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Oh...and it is HEAVY.
Once read about a Dragster Team way-back-when who did NOT paint their car to save like some 12#s of paint weight (can't remember exact weight)... TOO FUNNY!
I will say that the used tank I bought that I was cleaning (down to metal) had me working on that FOR DAAAAAYS!!!! THEY HAD SOOOOO MUCH PAINT ON THERE (in addition to OEM!!!)... I was using Aircraft Remover by the Gallon almost!!!
Again, hoping that one-a these $30/can '2K' paints will lend a surface protection to the Tank (especially the Semi-Gloss graphic) that is at least 'more impervious' to fuel than 'not at all impervious to fuel' as is Rustoleum, etc.
More later...