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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Rusty gas tank interior
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Message started by kangaroo on 11/29/05 at 14:31:53

Title: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by kangaroo on 11/29/05 at 14:31:53

Im trying to bring back a 1986 savage on a tight budget. I just removed the tank and realized the interior of the tank is extremely rusty(metal particulates and all). Does anyone know an inexpensive way to clean the interior of the tank.

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by Reelthing on 11/29/05 at 18:58:29

I've used a multi-step product to sort of epoxy coat the inside before the world wised up and put plastic tanks on dirt bikes - can't remember it's name - I'll look around

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by diesel on 11/29/05 at 21:30:19

Kreem

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by rokrover on 11/30/05 at 07:42:21

In the old days we'd slosh around a bunch of ball bearings inside with lots of soapy water till no more loose stuff could be flushed out. Then dry (rinsing with alcohol or acetone helps). You will never remove all the rust and the coatings just seal over it where it may continue to spread. However, you will remove all the loose debric that will eventually clog up the fuel strainer or filter. Can't remember what size bearings - obviously not critical but heavy enough to do the job. Bearings don't add extra grit like sand blasting would. Good luck!

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by vroom1776 on 11/30/05 at 08:25:26

If you do a ghetto type job and there is still some rust in there, get an inline fuel filter. They are cheap. Will keep the rust out of the carb...

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by Mr 650 on 11/30/05 at 08:30:43

My experience w/ a 2-part marine coating an old boat fuel tank was it eventually flaked off and clogged up the line. Now,
agitating small ball bearings (or bird shot) in solvent sounds good. Consider the paint if you invert it, but scrub as much of the entire inner surface as possible.
What ever you do buy a couple transparent fuel filters and keep one in the fuel line.
The fuel sock needs to be good to keep junk out of the petc0ck too.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by SAMM on 11/30/05 at 12:16:56

I have used small ball bearings or bird shot also in small gas engine tanks.... Dry No soapy water tho... I have wraped the tank in bath towls and put them in the dryer for awile..I havent tried it yet with a motorcycle tank but would hope to use alot of towels !!! The ones that I have done have come out pretty clean...

Title: Re: Rusty gas tank interior
Post by rokrover on 11/30/05 at 13:07:37

Sorry, should have clarified a bit...... the purpose of the detergent-water is to suspend the flakes for easy flushing out with a garden hose. Also it's a safety factor in case there are gas fumes lingering inside. If you want a more radical clean you can first use a naval jelly solution in there; see:
http://www.shorechemical.com/Section%207%20Tech%20Sheets/naval_jelly.htm
but this stuff is corrosive so wear gloves (phosphoric acid I think). Then the water is for flushing and neautralizing this. Finally, an acetone or alcohol rinse blends with the residual water with a better evaporation rate for easier air drying. Not essential tho. Hope this helps.