Fuel Tank De-rust

smi481 · Last edited by smi481 on Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:15 pm; edited 2 times in total

The below text was taken from a feature article in the latest VJMC Magazine
where RUSTECO was tested. We found it very interesting to see the "solutions"
for rust removal, and the opposite opinions about the very same method,
taken from several Internet sites.

"Here are just a few “miracle cures” that have been put forward over the years.

“I bought an unlined tank on Ebay and had to use the old 6’ dog chain and martini
shaker technique to clean the rust out of this one. After a half of an hour shaking the tank,
my arms were done. Rinsed it with gas then I put an inline filter and I've had no problems since.”

“I have tried chemicals and electrolysis, and they both work, but there are often leftover lumps
of "stuff" inside that these processes cannot remove and I couldn't get out.”

“I use a local radiator shop to boil out and seal my tanks ... of course this only works on a
tank you are going to repaint ... this process removes the paint!!”

“I don't know where I got this tip but what I did was:
Seal with duct tape the bottom (after removing petcock). Then put nuts and bolts into the
tank and shake like crazy. This will remove any large rust flakes and other crud. Then fill
tank with Diet Coke, but I don't know if regular Coke will work. Let the tank sit for 2 days.
Then drain and "swish" with gasoline. The tank won't be bright, but it will remove rust!”

“I have heard of guys using a can of coke to do the rust removal thing. Use only diet pop for
sure because a dose of sugar in your tank, won’t help anything unless your into sabotaging
your own bike even if you do a super rinsing.”

“I recall using something I think was called Naval Jelly as a rust remover. Kind of gel-like
and it was painted on, then after a while, rinsed off. Seemed to work as I recall. Anybody
know if this stuff is still around? If so, I wonder how it compares to the RUSTECO product.”

“I put a bottle of CLR in my tank and let it sit for a few days, mixing it around whenever I walked
by and felt like it. It didn't work fast, but all the rust is gone. It didn't hurt the paint either.
Then rinse it out with water and gas and run it.”

"Never use CLR! I tried it and it clouded the paint wherever a little spray or
drop of it hit the paint!"

“Some guys say the spray cleaner Simple Green works.”

*Do not NOT use the following suggested cleaning method*

“I put small nuts and bolts into the tank after dumping the gas into my car. Then I wrap towels
around the tank and pack the wife’s dryer with towels around the tank. I turned the dryer on
for a half hour and it came really clean”.
*Note – Never even attempt the above idea! Paul Bond, a Firefighter from the
Chicago area, immediately described this “technique” as a “hand grenade” in the
family dryer. Paul described what would happen, with gasoline fumes from the
motorcycle tank, as they fill the inside of a family dryer. Once the dryer ignites,
or if a spark is generated, it would cause a tremendous explosion! Again, this idea
is not to be used by anyone and it was printed as a WARNING for our
members of what NOT to do!

“I read that the phosphoric acid, in Milk Stone Remover, does a nice job on rust
and leaves behind a coating that stops rust from forming again.”

“Milk Stone Remover does not prevent rust after use. The cleaned parts will
start to rust immediately unless you paint the surface cleaned. The thing about MSR
leaving a rust-preventing coating is purely a myth.”

As you can see, there are several cleaning ideas that range from the strange, to the ridiculous,
to the dangerous, to the deadly.

So, what proven product is “out there” that will remove gas tank rust , without removing
the paint, producing poison fumes, using caustic liquids that will burn the skin off of our
hands or creating a condition that could possibly explode? We found RUSTECO."

archangel · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

quote:

Regular old Vinegar , soak for a few days.

This will work Regular old Vinegar is an weak acid
and will eat up the rust .
It will not stop the rust from reforming after wards.
If you clean, rinse and dry, then coat the tank after doing the Regular old Vinegar trick
you will be good to go.
Just remember the hoses and petcock screens need cleaning as well as the carbs if there is rust in the tank it works it's way to the carbs

Bops · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:04 am Post subject:

Years ago I restored a 1963 HD Sprint with minor tank corrosion. I put about a half cup of water in the tank and then about two cups of small to medium sized "river rocks". These are rounded rocks from the flow of water over the years. Capped the tank and shook it side to side in every direction for about an hour. Very tiring, but the stones and water "wet-sand" the inside of the tank perfectly. Best to use two sizes, one for small areas and the larger ones ensure a compete cleaning. After several cycles of fresh water, empty the water and rocks and flush the tank first with isopropyl alcohol to rid it of water and then I used MEK to get a perfect cleaning before a thorough coating of tank coating. Aside from the MEK, none of this should hurt the exterior paint. I guess you could stop at the alcohol before coating. I hope this helps.

smi481 · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:35 am Post subject: Interesting

Interesting