Best Motorcycle Tank Sealers: Easily Seal Pinholes and Seams

These top motorcycle tank sealers will save you money on repairs

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BYDaniel Rika,Noelle Talmon/ LAST UPDATED ONMay 24, 2021

When you own a motorcycle, little repairs can add up and cost you quite a bit financially. If you have an older gas tank, you may want to consider sealing it instead of replacing it in order to save a bit of money. With a little know-how, it doesn't take much to extend the lifespan of your tank. Our buying guide below features some of the best motorcycle tank sealers on the market.

Best OverallKBS Coatings Auto Fuel Tank Sealer Kit Check Latest PriceLEARN MORESummary Summary

This kit is designed to stop rust and corrosion. It includes a cleaner and degreaser, rust remover, gloves, and directions. The coating seals small pinholes and weld seams.

Pros Pros

The instructions are detailed, and there are several videos available online. When the lining is fully cured, it leaves behind a very hard and durable skin.

Cons Cons

There are a lot of steps to follow, and you must follow the directions closely in order to not make a mistake. The process is also labor-intensive.

Best OverallKBS Coatings Auto Fuel Tank Sealer KitCheck Latest PriceBest ValueSeal-All Contact Adhesive and Sealant Check Latest PriceLEARN MORESummary SummaryThis two-ounce tube of sealer/glue dries clear, sets quickly, and is impervious to gasoline, oil, alcohol, water, and most solvents.Pros Pros

The best thing about this sealant is its price. It's also easy to use, and it works on a variety of different surfaces. It's also thin to penetrate fine cracks.

Cons Cons

It's extremely difficult to remove from your skin, so you have to wear latex gloves during application. It has a strong smell, and it's hard to use upside down.

Best ValueSeal-All Contact Adhesive and SealantCheck Latest PriceHonorable MentionPOR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer Check Latest PriceLEARN MORESummary SummaryThis product seals pinholes and seams and bonds with a light-gray, nonporous flexible film. It's resistant to all fuels, alcohols, and additives.Pros ProsThere's more than enough to coat more than one small tank because a little bit goes a long way. It works well and seals the tank perfectly if you take your time.Cons Cons

It's thick and messy, so don't spill it on yourself or surroundings because it doesn't come off very easily. It also takes a few days to fully set and dry.

Honorable MentionPOR-15 Fuel Tank SealerCheck Latest Price

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Benefits of Motorcycle Tank Sealers

Types of Motorcycle Tank Sealers

Cleaning and prepping a gas tank so you can remove the rust and seal the cracks and pinholes is no easy task. The advantage of purchasing a kit is that it contains most if not all of the products you need to get the job done. These kits typically feature a cleaner/degreaser, rust remover, and tank sealer. Some also come with latex gloves.

Whether you're an experienced garage mechanic or a beginner, you don't need to spend a lot of money to refurbish an old gas tank. Instead of getting an all-in-one kit, you can opt for just an epoxy/adhesive that can do the job. Still, you will have to prep the tank properly in order for the product to set and cure correctly. It can take several steps to do so.

Top Brands

KBS Coatings was founded in 2005 and is based in Valparaiso, Indiana. The company produces rust preventive paints as well as gas tank sealers, engine enamels, and car restoration kits. One of its top products is the KBS Coatings Auto Fuel Tank Sealer Kit.

Based in New Rochelle, New York, POR-15 is well-known in the automotive and motorcycle segments and designs high-performance, rust-preventive coatings that can be used on a variety of different metal surfaces. We recommend its POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer.

Caswell Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in Lyons, New York. The company got its start by producing a DIY nickel plating kit, and it currently makes a variety of metal finishing supplies, as well as its renowned ethanol-resistant gas tank sealer, the Caswell Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer Motorcycle Kit.

This company from Somis, California, has long been associated with motorcycle gas tank restoration. Enthusiasts also use its products in trucks and cars. Its products are designed to clean and protect gas tanks. We recommend the Kreem Products Fuel Tank Liner and Tank Prep Combo Paks.

Red Kote is a fuel tank repair product made by Damon Industries. The company, which has a manufacturing plant in Ohio, has been producing cleaning and sanitizing solutions since 1938. One top product is the Red Kote Tank Sealer for Harley and Custom Automotive Tractor All Gas Tanks.

Motorcycle Tank Sealer Pricing

Key Features

This is vital. Any type of sealer you use in your tank has to be impervious to the type of fuel that you use. If you choose an epoxy that's not impervious to gasoline, then it will eventually eat through the sealer and prevent it from working properly. Motorcycle-specific gas tank sealants are fuel-resistant, but general epoxies may not be.

Tank sealants can dry clear or they can dry in a very bright color, such as red or blue. This is beneficial because when you apply the formula you will be able to see the coverage better. That way you know the area is properly sealed.

Different products have different set and curing times. Some take just minutes to set and an hour to cure. Others don't cure completely for 24 hours. You have to be patient when you're cleaning and preparing a gas tank before applying the sealer, and it may take a couple of days to complete the project. How long it takes for the sealer to cure can add either a little or a lot of time to the task.

Other Considerations

Best Motorcycle Tank Sealer Reviews & Recommendations 2021

More on Automotive Parts & Tools

Best Gasket Sealers: Keep Fluids and Gases Inside Where They Belong Best Overall KBS Coatings Auto Fuel Tank Sealer Kit Check Latest Price

This fuel tank sealer kit stops rust and corrosion and can seal up to 25 gallons. The kit includes a cleaner and degreaser, rust remover, gloves, and instructions. The product is designed to permanently seal pinholes and weld seams, and it holds up to all types of fuels, additives, and most solvents.

The sealer is flexible, so it expands and contracts with the fuel tank. It comes with detailed directions, and there are several videos available online if you need additional help with application. When the lining is fully cured, it creates a very hard and durable skin. Overall, it works as advertised.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of steps to follow, and you must follow the instructions closely to prevent mistakes. The process is also labor-intensive, and it can take several hours to complete the job.

Best Value Seal-All Contact Adhesive and Sealant Check Latest Price

This contact adhesive and sealant comes in a two-ounce tube. It's impervious to gasoline, oil, alcohol, water, and most solvents. It's designed for automotive purposes, as well as for use on motorcycle gas tanks, and is a fast-drying formula: It sets in just two to three minutes. The glue/sealant also dries clear, and it bonds best with a scuffed or etched surface.

This sealant is very inexpensive and easy to use. One great advantage of this product is you can use it for a variety of different purposes, not just to seal a gas tank. People use it to seal carburetors and even to fix a leaky gas can. It's also a thin formula, so you can get it into fine cracks without any problems.

However, it's important to avoid getting this sealant on your skin because it's really hard to remove, even with paint thinner. As a result, you should wear latex gloves during application. It also has a strong odor, and it can be challenging to use if it's upside down.

Best for Professionals POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer Check Latest Price

POR-15 stops rust, corrosion, and fuel leaks and seals pinholes and seams. It creates a bond using a light gray, nonporous flexible film. It's resistant to all fuels, alcohols, and additives. This high-tech sealer is also effective against new Stage II fuels that contain more alcohol.

This product is known for its strength and fuel resistance. Used in conjunction with muriatic acid and some bolts, plus some elbow grease, it easily removes all the rust in a motorcycle gas tank.It works great whether you use the POR-15 complete rust removal/metal prep system, or if you remove the rust yourself. It comes in an eight-ounce can, which is plenty to coat more than one small tank because a little bit goes a long way. It works well and seals the tank perfectly if you take your time.

One problem with this product is that it's thick and messy, so if you spill it on yourself or your surroundings it won't come off very easily. It also takes a few days to fully set and dry. In addition, the substance has a tendency to thicken, so it doesn't store very well. After it dries, it leaves a rough surface behind, which is unsightly but ok if it's underneath the tank.

Best Complete Kit Kreem Products Fuel Tank Liner and Tank Prep Combo Paks Check Latest Price

This kit includes a pint of tank liner, a quart of Tank Prep A, and a pint of Tank Prep B. It creates a lining in your gas tank so it doesn't rust or corrode. It can be used as a preventative measure in both new and old tanks that use gasoline, gasohol, or diesel fuels.

The tank liner seals pinholes and prevents hairline cracks from leaking. This kit is easy to use and, as long as you follow the directions, you can remove extensive corrosion from your tank. It holds up over time, and overall it works as advertised.

One downside with this product is that you can't use it on plastic tanks, and it's not compatible with all fiberglass tanks. The company also recommends spot-testing it before application. In addition, application can be laborious.

Honorable Mention J-B Weld TankWeld Gas Tank Repair Check Latest Price

This two-part epoxy can be used on fuel tanks, metal radiators, and other items and on surfaces such as iron, stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and bronze. Once fully cured, it is resistant against petroleum, hydraulic fluids, and other harsh chemicals. Once you knead the two parts together, it takes five minutes to set and one hour to cure. It dries in a dark gray color.

This heavy-duty epoxy and adhesive is very versatile and can also be used on potable water tanks and lawn and garden equipment.It's easy to mix the epoxy, and you only have to use what you need and the rest lasts a long time. It gets rid of leaks and is a solid, long-lasting fix. It's also a great value.

Some users, however, say this product works best as a temporary solution and not as a permanent fix. It also may not work as well on tanks that are dented, and if the surface isn't completely dry the epoxy may not cure completely.

Honorable Mention Red Kote Tank Sealer for Harley and Custom Automotive Tractor All Gas Tanks Check Latest Price

The Red Kote tank sealer resists gasoline, diesel, alcohol, and other fuel additives. One quart will seal a 14-gallon tank. The product seals rust under the coating, so it won't flake off and plug up fuel line filters. It also reduces additional rust from forming. Since the formula is flexible, it doesn't crack and has a long lifespan.

Red Kote is easy to use as long as you follow the directions. It has tight adhering characteristics, and won't peel off, even on bent metal. Vibration and dents will not loosen the coating. Since it's such a bright color, coverage is very visible, and it seals leaks and pinholes you don't see. It flows well, and when it's cured, you no longer smell the solvent, so you know the tank is ready.

However, you should apply it in a ventilated area and wear goggles and a mask because inhaling the fumes can harm your nose and throat. Also, it can be messy during application, and it's so thin that it may require more than one coat.

Honorable Mention Northern Radiator Fuel Tank Liner Kit Check Latest Price

This kit comes with everything you need to clean, prepare, and line a motorcycle, automotive, or other type of fuel tank. It includes one quart of cleaner, one quart of fuel tank prep, and one quart of fuel tank liner. The formula stays flexible, so it won't crack or peel. It is alcohol-resistant and applies in a bright blue color, so you can see the coverage.

The product seals leaks and pinholes that you aren’t visible. It covers and seals old rust and prevents new rust from forming. One kit is enough to treat a 12-20 gallon tank, which is much more than you need for a single motorcycle tank. The formula is resistant to gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, and other fuels and additives.

The biggest issue with this product is that you won't use all of it to repair one motorcycle gas tank, so you will have a lot left over unless you plan on using it for several tanks. Also, it's a little pricey compared to some other products.

Tips

FAQs

A: That depends on the brand. Many products require at least 24 hours, but some may be more or less. Make sure to read the instructions.

A: Yes. In order to seal the inside from top to bottom, you need to have the ability to tip and rotate the tank and shake it around so that the sealer entirely coats the inside of the tank.

A: After the sealer is fully cured, use 300-grit sandpaper or a green pad scrubber to remove the excess sealer.

Final Thoughts

Our pick for the best motorcycle tank sealer is the KBS Coatings Auto Fuel Tank Sealer Kit. It's a comprehensive kit that is perfect for sealing pinholes and seams.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer.