sealing a gas tank

appraiser

Member
I know this has been mentioned in the past but what is the preferred method of cleaning and sealing a gas tank on a tractor? I have the tank off the tractor. Plan to take the sender unit out. Is there a preferred brand of kit? I can't see any chunks in the tank. Just seems to be fine rust. How should I go about this?
 
I had a similar tank, and took it to a shop that does sandblasting, welding, head repair, and boiling out tanks. In my case, the tank had sat for 15 years and had dried gas and varnish built up. Whatever "boiling-out" may be, I had that done. Took it home poured in a full can of Red-Kote, following instructions as close as I could, sloshing it around top to bottom , side to side, top to bottom, around and around and then immediately poured it all out, let it drain. DID NOT try a second coat, that will not work. Used the poured out stuff for tool handles. Let it dry per instructions, I think the fumes are pretty explosive, so if you want to try a shop-vac to blow out fumes, that might be ok, just do not try to vacuum them out. Worked just fine, the gas in the sediment bowl was pink for a few tanks, but it seems to work fine.
 
I have in the past have put a small chain about 24in long in the tank and then shake it back and forth to remove the rust. Rinse it out, let it dry out real good and pour in the plastic liner per instruction. 15years and still holding. Good Luck.
 
I also had good luck with Red Kote, available at O'Reilly's. After agitating with a chain, I had to rinse about a dozen times with old gas, about a quart at a time, to get all the gunk out. I poured it out into a white drywall bucket, and it was easy to see the trash that way. I eventually got it clean, rinsed with acetone, let dry about an hour, then applied the liner. I let it dry for 2 days before reinstalling, no problems since.
 
I very carefully stick my dustless blaster nozzle in the large opening and leave the other hole open and give her a couple of quick shots dry. Vacuum the tank and then rinse with acetone, drain and let dry. Seal the bottom hole and use Northern tank sealer as instructed. Have had good results with this. You can get it at Napa auto parts store or order it online. Good luck.
 

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