Gas tank rust

RDobbs · Mar 31, 2012

what is best way to remove rust from
gas tank. The radiator shops here will
not boil out a gas tank, and a new one
is expensive. 600 ford

Sean in PA · Mar 31, 2012

There are a number of gas tank rust remedy products on the market. most of them come as a kit that contains some sort of acid solution for removing most of the rust and another solution that basically creates a seal coat on the inside of the tank afterward you have used the first solution to remove most of the rust. I have used a few of them over the years on old motorcycle gas tanks, and I haven't had any problems with any of them, but you must be very thorough in following all of the instructions for prepping the tank before hand and in between each step. If you get lazy in doing it, then any of them can cause you problems. I know other people who have used the same products that I have used and they have had problems later. Each time I compared notes on how well they followed the instructions, the ones that had the most problems were the ones who cut the most corners in following the directions.

Some of the brands that I've used include POR15 and Kreem. Eastwood makes one too, but I haven't tried theirs yet.

Mark-Ia · Mar 31, 2012

I use Muriactic acid, rinse with water, then nuetralize it with 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a gallon of water.

old · Mar 31, 2012

All depends on how bad it is. Some people throw a bunch of say 1/2 inch nuts in the tank and shake the heck out of it then wash it out. Some say to use the acid trick which works ok unless you have a thin spot then you buy a new tank any how. Me I pour some ATF in the tank shake it some then pour in some gas drain the gas/ATF out and filter it and then run it

NoNewParts · Mar 31, 2012

quick and dirty way I use on junker tanks
take the tank off, drain thoroughly, take the sediment
bowl assembly off if it has one.
buy one of those straight hi pressure garden hose
ends from the dollar store.
tank upside down, kink the hose, stick it in,
let er rip, moving the hose all over in/thru
the baffles. Don't be shy, bang it around
like you are roto-rooting
Keep it up till it comes out clean water.
shake the water out, put it outside in
the sun upside down for awhile to dry.
put the tank back on and stick a magnet to the
bottom away from the
outlet a bit and run it.

(do it on a warm day and wear goggles, you will get a bath
and get all the gas out by rinsing before the banging around.
it works and is free)

navigator · Mar 31, 2012

I have the same problem on my 820. I used muratic acid and flushed about 20 gallons of water through it. ( tank was removed from the tractor) Put approx. 2 gallons of gas in tank today after reinstalling on tractor. Checked sediment bulb after using tractor for 20 minutes and found red colored gas again in bulb. Plan on cleaning out bulb and removing drain plug on bottom of carb. and running tractor again and seeing what happens. Hate to remove tank again but may have to and find some type of sealer to put in tank.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 31, 2012

I have straped the tank to the rear wheel of tractor and put a piece of chain in tank and run it for an hour or two. Then wash the tank out with Muriactic acid,. then rinse to neutralize acid. I then get the tank bone dry and then coat it with Red-Kote tank sealer as directed by manufacturer.

bstyve2004 · Apr 1, 2012

Use gravel or nuts and bolt shake the heck out of it flush with air or water. Remove gravel or bolts. Then for extra cleaning, carb dip. Then run an inline cleanable glass filter and keep cleaning it till it stops plugging. Works for me.

DollarBill · Apr 2, 2012

Seal off the bung hole and gas gauge if applicable.

Add:

1 quart of phosphoric acid

1 handful of 1" drywall screws

Put the gas cap on and slosh it around for as long as possible. I've heard of people strapping it to the rear tire of the tractor as well as throwing it in the bed of their pick up and driving down a bumpy dirt road. What ever works for you.

Remove acid and screws and allow the tank to dry for a couple of hours in the shade.

Rinse inside of the tank with water. Stick the output from a shop vac into the filler neck and let it blow dry the inside of the tank. Don't let water sit in the tank as it's begin to rust right away.

Red-Kote is a well known tank liner but I'm partial to POR-15's solution. Either will be fine so long as you follow the instructions.

Good luck and let us know how your project turns out.

navigator · Apr 3, 2012

Today I just used Red Kote on my gas tank. Whatever you do thin the stuff with MEK. The product is very thick and I could not get all of the excess out of the tank. It started skimming up almost immediately. Dont know how this will turn out, may have to get a new tank. I talked to the chemist for the company and was told I should not have to thin the stuff. Crap. Thin it.

DollarBill · Apr 4, 2012

The product is very thick and I could not get all of the excess out of the tank. It started skimming up almost immediately.

It should be the consistency of heavy cream. Sounds like you got a a can that has been on the shelf too long - I recommend that you contact Red-Kote and ask them how to strip it and try it again as it probably will not bond to the tank.

navigator · Apr 6, 2012

Well I let the Red Kote dry for 2 days in my gas tank before adding any gas and today fueled it up and everything looks good. Used the tractor for 3 hours and no problem.

Gas tank rust

RDobbs

Member

Sean in PA

Well-known Member

Mark-Ia

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

NoNewParts

Member

navigator

New User

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

bstyve2004

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DollarBill

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navigator

New User

DollarBill

Member

navigator

New User

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