Royal Enfield Interceptor - Knowledge Base
Gas Tank U.K. Model
| Unless stated otherwise, the information in this Knowledge Base is for Royal Enfield Interceptor only. Some information could of course be applicable to other models. |
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 Finding a paint code match for this tank is very difficult and will never be exact, but we have a couple of very close matches listed below.(option three) When styling your tank in a renovation you have these options in painting /chroming. |
Source: "Royal's" research.
Chrome the tank, with black frame around the edge.
Re-paint in a custom metallic, or other non standard
Re-paint with match as close as possible colour match
Re-paint using three base colour method
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Chrome the tank
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Well of course you should clean the tank to bare metal and ensure that there are no cracks and leaks. Make sure that you have a good cap for the tank that fits and petrol taps that are in good condition. If you are mounting the tank on a frame which hasn't had the U.K model tank, make sure that there are appropriate mountings you don't want to have to change the tank after it's been chromed. Choose a re-chroming place that do traditional chroming, you know with copper first etc. Consider which parts you should paint, like maybe metal areas around the edge that aren't suited for chrome because they aren't flat enough. After re-chroming, mask off exactly areas that are to be painted or where you will be mounting the rubber pads. Apply an etching primer to these areas to enhance adhesiveness for paint and rubber. |
Re-paint in a custom metallic, or other non standard
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Preparations should be similar to those for Chroming, ensuring that you have areas identified, and no more changes to petrol taps etc. If possible have an area like an old hub cap first painted as a prototype. |
Re-paint with match as close as possible colour match
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Use preparations like above, plus get a colour code which matches the original colour. Here in Australia, I had an original tank in original colour assessed by an Automotive paint factory. To start with, they explained that there is no colour code for the tank as such, because, like was common these days, the tank was enamelled using a three base colour technique. See final alternative below. The closest match they had were these two colour codes. In these days of internet and multi national vehicle manufacturing, you should be able to use these and probably find corresponding codes with other paint manufacturers or vehicle manufacturers cross reference lists in your country. The code, in one case is short (number 8) but use it together with the reference number as well. This is what was on the paint label of candidate 1: 522 DULON STANDAR Col Ref:9YV2M(13219) FORD (AUSTRALASIA) Code:8 COSMIC BLUE Lead: 0.0% Pr Grp: 2 Dens:0.932kg/l This is what was on the paint label of candidate 2: 522 DULON STANDAR Col ANJ1M(15332) GM (HOLDEN) Code:28 CYAN Lead: 0.0% Pr Grp: 2 Dens:0.939kg/l To assist further you may click here to see the tank in original colours, with light playing from different angles. |
Re-paint the tank in the three base colour method.
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Here in Australia, I had an original tank in original colour assessed by an Automotive paint factory. They explained that the tank was enamelled using a three base colour technique. The bottom base is a solid Silver colour, slightly metallic. The second base is a translucent blue which does not cover the first base completely. It's like painting with cordial almost. For a darker effect, you apply several coats of the blue base. Finally there is the top clear base, which also adds very slightly to the colour. This could sometimes be difficult to reproduce. IE Don't try this at home guys You'd want someone with a track record of doing three base paint jobs. Using the close match paint codes and the pictures as references, click here, to see the tank in original colours, with light playing from different angles, you should get a good result. (Of course, there is no such thing as a 100% true colour photo or scanned picture. Try with a prototype first. On a Final Note: You should also contact http://www.motorbikepaint.co.uk They might just be able to help. |