TOPIC: Commando gas tanks-side covers-fiberglass

NO-E 100% gasoline VS E-10("spark ignition fuel") IAW US govt
Construction: original general purpose polyester resin which is entirely unsuitable for any ethanol containing "spark ignition fuel". Ethanol dissolves the resin which then will pass into the engine but NOT be satifactorily burned and causes damage, often very severe.
1968-1972(partial) Fuel Tanks:& side covers:fabrication & cosmetic finishing.
The fiberglass side covers and tanks are typically:( may be subject to revision)
1.Solid color tinted gelcoat and build resin:
signal red, signal orange canary yellow, tangerine, BRG, white, black
2.flake containing gelcoat, seems so far to be, "metal flake" (medium size). The clear gelcoat can be clear to allow further tinted finish cover in one of several colored tints: royal blue, roman purple, golden bronze, emerald green
3. or metal flake + resin clear disregarded for an overcoat of another solid paint color,
4.or tinted clear resin/ "metalic" (small flake)..
5. LARGE "fire flake" seems to be more on the early production in clear cover and additional colored designs.
6. The tank and side covers have various different colored resins in the mat lay ups. The reason, if any, is yet to be discovered. bluegreen, white, black
7. No evidence so far of "colored" metal flakes being used in original parts or coatings.

The above tank has been grit blasted on both the bottom center and the front area. The front(left) area is dull from the rough surface, while the bottom center is still wet from isopropyl alcohol wash making for a fine brilliant reflective surface. On the pix below the dry surface has lost it's brilliance due to the alcohol being
evaporated/gone.


Here is an example of original royal purple metal flake(med) tinted resin sprayed into a mold. Later over sprayed in brown primer and yellow paint to repurpose the tank.
A mild paint stripper did not remove any, but a very minor amount of tinted gelcoat resin containing the silver aluminum flakes.