Rust in Gas Tank

Bohn Super C · Jun 1, 2014

I have a gas tank that is rusted inside quite bad, but no leaks. I was thinking of trying to clean out the rust the best that I can and then use a sealer inside the tank. Has anyone out there used a gas tank sealer with good results, and if you have, what brand of Sealer? The gas tank is on a rototiller a new one is over a $100.

Janicholson · Jun 1, 2014

If it is smalllike a gallon or so, take it off, rinse it out , and use it. Gasoline today will keep moisture out of it . Jim

Nebraska Kirk · Jun 1, 2014

I have cleaned and sealed several tractor gas tanks with excellent results. I use RedKote sealer. The key is to make sure the tank is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN, otherwise the sealer will not stick and will come off. I fill the tank brim full with an acid solution and let it set until all the rust has been removed. Neutralize the acid and clean with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water. What water remains MUST be removed otherwise the sealer will not stick. I pour a little acetone in the tank and slosh it around. The acetone absorbs water and then evaporates. Do this a couple of times and then you can pour in the sealer, slosh it around so it covers all inside surfaces of the tank, drain out the excess and let it dry.

A proper job will take several days from letting the acid solution remove the rust to letting the sealer dry for a few days. I have cleaned and sealed several tanks using this method, they no longer leak and show no signs of the sealer coming off.

IAtractorKid · Jun 1, 2014

I"ve also had very good luck with RedKote. Follow
these instructions given, and it will turn out very
well!

Stay away from Kreem. I have it in one tank, and so
far its OK but I don"t like it and have heard a lot
of bad stories about it from other people.

504 · Jun 1, 2014

What Kirk says, I hurry the job a little by using a shop vac set to BLOW air into the tank. If you try to vacuum it out, we will send flowers for the funeral.

FBH44 · Jun 2, 2014

Neb. Kirk has nailed it exactly.

Bohn Super C · Jun 2, 2014

Thank You guys for the help.
I'll pick up some Phosphoric Acid and some RedKote today and give it a try.

CPACy · Jun 2, 2014

What do you do if there is a small leak, too? I have an H that I am going to be getting from a family member soon and he said the tank is a little rusty and has a pin hole leak somewhere. Does the coating plug that? I'm new to all this repair stuff.

Nebraska Kirk · Jun 2, 2014

Yes, the sealer will fill pinholes.

LMack · Jun 2, 2014

Use Muriatic Acid the same as is used to clean brick. Be sure you know how to dilute. Add acid to water, not water to acid. You should cut the acid with equal quantities of water and acid. Fill the tank half full of water then fill the rest with acid. You can get the acid from most building supplies. Rinse with lots of water when you finish etching the inside of the tank. If you save your acid you can use it again if you inspect the inside of the cleaned tank and find more rust that needs to be removed. The acid will also remove varnish and gasoline gels. Flash rust after the final cleanse is normal. Eastwood sells a kit and you would want to get the kit for a "large tank".
Eastwood Tank Sealer

Rust in Gas Tank

Bohn Super C

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Janicholson

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Nebraska Kirk

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IAtractorKid

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504

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FBH44

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Bohn Super C

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CPACy

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Nebraska Kirk

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LMack

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