how to clean out a fuel tank?

farmall 55a case · Aug 23, 2012

I just bought a 200 gal. Fuel tank from a guy at work. I want to use it for gasoline. It hasn't been used un five years. What is the best way to clean it out? Its on a stand im Gona wire wheel the out side of it and the stand and repaint it should I paint it a certain color to help keep the fuel from evaporating? I'm going to keep it in my barn also! I would like to paint it I H red with a big I H logo on it not sure tho! Thanks!

TripleR · Aug 23, 2012

My wife's cousin owns the local bulk distributorship for farm fuel and he had his guys come up with a power washer and clean ours out and put a filter on it. He said regularly obtained chemicals would be fine and to put lots of cleaner and fresh water through it. We put diesel in ours.

farmall 55a case · Aug 23, 2012

Never though of using a pressure washer! But what would be a good chemical to use on it?

Soundguy · Aug 23, 2012

i'd pressure wash it as well... then dump in a gallon of diesel and a quart of atf, and 2 pints of 90% rubbing alcohol. agitate and roll around end and end.

drain.. put that mix in yer parts washer maybee..

soundguy

farmall 55a case · Aug 23, 2012

Lol sounds like that should work thanks everyone

TripleR · Aug 24, 2012

farmall 55a case said:
Never though of using a pressure washer! But what would be a good chemical to use on it?

They used the same thing they use on their service trucks, I don't know the brand, but he didn't say anything special was needed. We were going to do it ourselves, but since he volunteered, I figured why not.

I don't know if they used the stuff Soundguy recommended, but sounds good to me.

rrrkkk · Aug 24, 2012

Look at POR (paint over rust) website. They have acid and neutralizer to clean rusty tanks as well as coating to protect it when clean. The coating will seal rusty pin holes or small leaks if you have any.

Gary Fowler · Aug 24, 2012

As for color, if kept inside it makes no difference, but if outside in the sun it should be white or silver. For gasoline storage, make sure your paint is tolerant of gasoline so the occassional spill doesnt remove the paint.

DEWFPO · Aug 24, 2012

farmall 55a case said:
But what would be a good chemical to use on it?

I just put StarTron's Fuel Tank cleaner in 2 gasoline tanks, one that has been idled for 7 years, the other since 1995. I'll give it some time to work and we'll see what happens.

DEWFPO