Removing rust from gas tank

[Jeff396]

I am in the process of trying to remove rust and some buildup from a motorcycle gas tank when some fuel went bad. So far I have tried throwing in a bunch large nuts and shaking it which seems to be working somewhat but I think my arms will fall off before I get anywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean out the inside of my tank? I know Eastwood has a kit to clean and seal the tank but I'm not too sure I want to use the sealer which is about half the cost of the kit.

Jeff

 

[Boondox]

Nice bike, Jeff! Reminds me that the first historical reference to a motorcycle was in the bible: "Joshua's Triumph was heard throughout the land." Corny, I know. Sorry.

I'm not sure if they show it on their website, but POR15's printed catalog has a step-by-step on how to clean a gas tank. Check their webpage, and if you don't see the instructions, order their catalog online.

Hope this helps. Pete

 

[karmakanic]

Here's a link to a method for removing rust. I haven't tried it, but I've heard it works slick as a whistle.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://users.interconnect.net/nlindsey/rusty2l/electrolysis/electrolysis.htm>rust removal by electrolysis</A>

HTH,
Dave

 

[Booker57]

Work bench vise needed. Gently clamp a vibrating sander pad side up, strap tank to pad where sand paper goes. Add steel shot and light oil. Turn on sander and watch for slippage, Turn off sander, retighten straps, go for it.
This worked for a lawn-mower tank, a motorcycle is not much different

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Here's a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.por15.com/index.html>link to POR-15's website</A> for you.

 

[Jeff396]

Thanks, it looks like they sell the rust remover separately so I think that's the route I'll take. The electrolysis sounds interesting but I'm not sure it would be okay for a painted tank. I also managed to find a variation on the sander idea. They suggested borrowing a mini cement mixer and putting a bunch of broken safety glass in the tank, put the tank in the mixer and turn it on. Of course you would have to pack the tank in with foam but I think they were using this method for car gas tanks where finish wasn't as much of an issue. Do you think the rust will stay away if I don't let the gas turn again or should I consider the sealer?

Jeff

 

[bgott]

Gas tanks used to be lined with a lead coating to prevent rust. I'm sure they have used other coatings. If you use abrasives to remove the rust you are going to remove the rest of the coating. It's already gone or was never there in the spots that rusted. Coat it and save yourself a future PITA.

 

[Jeff396]

Thanks, it never occurred to me that gas tanks were coated to prevent rust......duh./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I guess I'll go ahead and spring for the entire kit. It's funny, I've owned this bike for some 24 years and never noticed the problem until the gas turned a couple years ago.

Jeff

 

[karmakanic]

<font color=blue>The electrolysis sounds interesting but I'm not
sure it would be okay for a painted tank</font color=blue>

One of the advantages of electrolysis is that it attacks only the iron oxide (the rust). The bath is just baking soda and water, so it's inert itself.

What ever process you use, seal the tank afterwards or you'll for sure will be fighting rust again. Whenever I'm restoring an old car or piece of construction equipment one of the first things I do is remove the tank and send it out to my local radiator/gas tank shop. They use a process called "plasticizing" to clean and seal the tank with a plastic coating. Costs me around 75-150, depending on size of tank. I haven't seen the home use kit, but I suspect it uses a similar process.

Dave

 

[Jeff396]

I just ordered the POR15 tank repair kit for motorcycles online. It comes with a degreaser/cleaner, a rust remover and the sealer. With shipping it totaled about $33.00. I'll let y'all know how it works./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jeff

 

[heehaw]

check your local radiator shops, i had a 20 gal tractor tank done for @ $50-60...they cleaned it, soldered the holes, and coated the inside with an epoxy type stuff, cheaper than i could have bought the kits.
heehaw

 

[rollyman123]

The best way to remove rust from a gas tank is by using a product called Evapo-Rust. Evapo-Rust is safe and easy to use. I have had great success with it. Here are the steps that I follow when using it.

1. Clean out all of the gas residue using a mild detergent and water from the gas tank.
2. Fill the tank with Evapo-Rust and let set for about 12 hours. Sometimes it takes longer depending on how thick the rust is. You will notice that the Evapo-Rust turns black when it starts to work.
3. Dump out the Evapo-Rust and rinse the tank with alcohol. Make sure to save the Evapo-Rust because it is re-usable.
You may have to do this process more than once in order to remove all the rust.

The best places that I have found to buy the product are:
Rust Remover | Evapo-Rust | Concentrate Non Toxic Non Corrosive Rust Removal (This site has allot of information on how to use the product!)
Nebraskan Hotrod (This is where I normally buy it! The price is cheap and the customer service is real good!)

 

[wjoerob]

How would you change this process to remove rust from a BIG tank (300 gal. or so)? Or is there some better way? I bought a tank with a stand a year or so ago, thinking I'd combat the skyrocketing prices. Found it has some rust in it. It does have a paper filter attachment. No obvious holes. Will this Evapo-Rust work on it?