Submitted by smi481
It is an age old question, from those of us who deal with vintage bikes.
What to do about a gas tank that has developed rust inside?
At the Mid America Vintage Bike Auction, held in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, three of the top vintage bike restorers, who brought their bikes to sell, were talking about just that problem and we overheard them all say that they now use the services of a company called "Rusteco" when they find rust in a pre-restored tank. No more sloppy home sealer/rust removal jobs for them.
http://www.rusteco.com/index.htm
When we arrived home, we went to their website and then called the company. We then sent a slightly rusted 1967 Yamaha tank to the Rusteco production facility, for rust removal. We could not be more pleased.
The technicians, at the Rusteco facility, recommend that we DO NOT use home brew backyard "sealer" kits. Because, when the sealer goes bad, how in the he_ _ do you remove that crusty layer of old sealer that is INSIDE the gas tank?
I spoke with Rusteco yesterday and they gave permission for us to print some of the questions/answers they have answered about the product, over the years, here -
1) Is RUSTECO harmful to paint, rubber or plastic?
No, it is completely safe.
2) Is RUSTECO hazardous to the environment? Does it pollute our air or water?
No, it does not have any adverse effect on the environment.
3) What about disposal?
Can be disposed without restrictions.
4) How about fumes and odor?
None, it is safe to use at work and home.
5) Does it etch the metal?
No, RUSTECO is safe on all metals incl. aluminum and chrome.
6) What about skin irritation?
No skin irritation.
7) Can the liquid clean the inside of rusty gas tanks?
Yes, without harming the paint.
Can I re-use the product?
Yes, it is designed for multiple repeat use.
9) What about protection?
RUSTECO has rust inhibitors that give protection against new oxidation.
When the factory receives your tank, they immerse it in a giant tank filled with the blue Rusteco mixture. 48 hours later, it is taken out and high pressure rinsed then re-immersed again for another 24 hours.
http://www.rusteco.com/MotorcycleCruiser.htm
It is finally rinsed, with a Rusteco rinse, (USE NO WATER), and sent back to the owner. We found that Rusteco absolutely did NOT hurt our tanks paint job.
Our tank went from looking old inside with rust "growing" in the rear inside corners .... to a bright clean tank, that is now silver inside with NO evidence of rust . And if you keep water out, the tank will not rust again .... Wow!
http://www.rusteco.com/auto.htm
What is most amazing to us ... is that Rusteco is some kind of chemical mixture that is NOT caustic, does not have a strong odor and their webpage even shows employees with their hands in the mixture!
http://www.rusteco.com/free2wheel.htm
You can do a Rusteco rust removal at home, by purchasing enough Rusteco to fill your tank and it can be reused again and again. When you are finished with the blue liquid ... the company suggests you pour it on your garden!!!
We are true believers. We bought a gallon, (in pint bottles), for our other restoration uses, (just imagine all the parts you have ... that have a little rust on them!).
We have already cleaned a 45 year old Petcock by soaking it in the Rusteco liquid, in an old margarine plastic container. The part went
from cruddy to bright, like new, silver aluminum!
Check out their webpage, or please give them a call. They always answered the phone for us, and they kept us informed when our tank arrived, when it was being treated and when it was come back, WITH shipping/tracking numbers emailed to us.
Plus .... they are familiar with V.J.M.C. and our bikes.
Two Thumbs Up for Rusteco!
TMT Services Corp, 1400 Cota Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Tel: 562-432-4868, Fax: 562-436-3938
Toll-Free: 1-800-RUSTECO (1-800-787-8326)
E-mail: rusteco@aol.com
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