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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

gas tank cleaning

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in sticks

10-20-2006 17:58:53




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i know this has be discussed before.so what do you use to clean a rusty gas tank on the inside? tank is solid just rusty . muratic acid? any and all ideas appreciated




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Nolan

10-24-2006 04:23:48




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
I use vinegar. It's cheap and very effective.



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chvet73

10-23-2006 08:27:30




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
I used the whole kit from Eastwood on my Corvette several years ago. It's held up great.



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Jiles

10-21-2006 19:16:43




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
I have cleaned many gas tanks with muratic acid,with excellent results. Use about 1/2 gal. to a 10 gal tank, shake, let it set, shake again, turn the tank to soak all surfaces. When the acid gets dirty, add fresh. do this until the tank is clean. Wash the inside with soap and water, then clean with acitone or methelethylkeytone "MEK" let it dry thoroughly. Be aware that the cleaned tank will begin to rust IMMEDIATLY. This could be a problem. The last and most important step is to seal or coat the inside. I use "BILL HIRSH tank sealer",that you can get at most speed or custom auto shops or through the internet. There are many tank sealers available. I have not tried them. And yes muratic acid will destroy galvanized coationg.

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Jiles

10-24-2006 08:55:33




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to Jiles, 10-21-2006 19:16:43  
Muratic acid will not dissolve gummed up gas or gas varnish. This is one reason to use acitone or MEK as a final prep. As in all cases--Prep is the most important process!



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jake4

10-21-2006 11:36:43




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
I use rubbing alcohol 2 large bottles from a drug store, put a plug in the outlet and add a handfull of screw bolts etc, shake the tank. This will remove all the varnish and other loose material. Using acid will remove the galvanizing and you will have a rust problem. I use screws etc as they can be removed with a magnet.



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RustyFarmall

10-21-2006 14:38:09




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to jake4, 10-21-2006 11:36:43  
You cannot remove those screws if they get lodged underneath the baffle, and if the screws go behind the baffle, same thing. Also, if the screws do not go behind the baffle, then you have a very large area of the tank that did not get cleaned. Now, since the entire tank is made of galvanized steel, (not just coated) what makes you think the acid will remove the galvanizing? Do what you want, but if you want to do it just once and be done with it, use the muriatic acid, and please don't be dropping a bunch of loose hardware down into the tank.

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Stan in Oly, WA

10-21-2006 15:00:15




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to RustyFarmall, 10-21-2006 14:38:09  
Hi R F,

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that "the entire tank is made of galvanized steel, (not just coated)". Galvanized means zinc coated. The alternative would be for the tank to be made entirely of zinc, or of a zinc steel alloy which I'm not aware of. It wouldn't be the first thing I wasn't aware of, though.

All the best, Stan



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jake4

10-21-2006 18:42:50




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 10-21-2006 15:00:15  
Stan I also never heard of pure galvanized metal. Did you ever wonder why so many tractors end up in a bone yard?



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RustyFarmall

10-20-2006 22:07:53




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
I've cleaned a couple tanks using muriatic acid. Tried several other methods first, none of them really got the job done. The acid got er done. Just be careful with that stuff.



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Jerry/MT

10-20-2006 20:52:26




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
Some people put a piece of chain into the tank and then shake it up. They then pour out the rust chips. They do this several times until no more rust comes out. They then flush it with diesel to get the really fine stuff. I never tried it but it sounds like it would work.



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David - OR

10-20-2006 18:52:34




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 Re: gas tank cleaning in reply to in sticks, 10-20-2006 17:58:53  
Acetone works well for dissolving sludge and varnish.

Phosphoric acid (Ospho, et al.) sloshed around inside the tank will convert iron oxide to iron phosphate.

Another option is to fill the tank with a water/lye solution. Use the filler hole to suspend a chunk of rebar (as an electrode) so that it hangs inside the tank but does not touch the tank. Now connect your electrolytic derusting leads to the tank and to the electrode. It will de-rust the tank from the inside out. May not get all of it, especially the top, but it will knock it back with minimal work.

One more option is one of the "tank sealer" compounds sold by the classic car dealers. Once the rust is sealed up, it isn't going to continue to corrode.

The acid and/or electrolytic setup may eat up any galvanizing on the inside of the tank faster than they remove the rust. This may make you worse off than before.

Keep in mind that it can be quite time consuming to rehabilitate a tank. If reproduction tanks are available, that is by far the easier way to go.

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