Treat a rusty tank with vinegar

Guth · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject: Rusteco

I had good results with Rusteco. This certainly isn't the cheapest solution, but it can be used multiple times and it is safe - both for your bike's paint and for the environment.

Learn more here: www.rusteco.com

All the best,
Guth

fasterspider · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Rusteco

cartfreak71 · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

Time to throw my two cents in as well. I've done the vinegar only treatment. Still fighting with rust after 3 month (wished I has sealed it). On my new tank, I decided that if I'm going to use it, I'm going to get it done right. So, I bought the POR-15 kit and I'm getting ready to start the treatment. I'm tired of clogged jets from the rust that wasn't removed.

Guth · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: Rusteco

Well, like I said, I personally had good results with Rusteco a while back. Granted, my rust situation was not nearly as far gone as some of the photos I've seen. But the rust that I did have was consumed by the Rusteco treatment and has not returned. I bought something like 2 or 2.5 gallons of the stuff, and I still have it should I need to treat other tanks in the future.

Looking at their website, I did notice that Rusteco's product offering has changed somewhat - they now have a product geared specifically towards "tank cleaning", which appears to cost less than their other rust removal formula (perhaps the "tank cleaning" formula is not as strong as their regular formula). Back when I bought from them, I believe there was just simply "rusteco" and it was less expensive than what it sells for now.

I do know that I had good luck with their stuff in the past. fasterspider, I'm sorry to hear that your results with their product was a disappointment. Thanks for sharing another side to the story.

All the best,
Guth

fasthonda · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: rust

vinegar is good but any resudial rust can be killed with rust mort its a liquid approx 20$ a quart it can be sprayed on brushed on sponged on or poured on it woll kill the rust turning it into black metal

KirkN · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

I did the vinegar deal, and eventually, it worked out great! I had a few problems with not cleaning the tank thoroughly enough first. It ultimately took two treatments at $6 each ($2/gal x 3 gallons). Left me with beautiful clean steel tank inside. A bit of gasoline sloshed around inside afterwards (preceded by compressed air blow out) and I've had no rust problems since!

And this tank was BAD with rust... Follow the link I posted for the full pictorial story.

Kirk

biker · Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:09 pm Post subject:

I used the Product Rusteco. Got part of the rust but not as good as they claimed. Guess i will try the Por 15 Sad

bikeseamus

Clogged jets from tiny rust particles are completely stopped on my old bikes now by just putting a small rare earth magnet inside my cleanable Russel inline fuel filter. The magnet will pick up a single molecule of ferrous anything, and my bikes stay properly jetted and running good. I just disassemble the filter every so often and wipe down the little magnet. It is a simple cheap solution to the problem, and I don't worry about rust inside my old tanks any more. I have also had success with Lucas fuel conditioner and Seafoam carb and injector cleaner/fuel stabilizer over the Winters while leaving my petcocks in the ON or PRIME positions all Winter and occasionally starting them up.. maybe once a month. It was a pain in the ass to be constantly tearing my carbs down and cleaning them, so I have done this now for about 3 years and have been able to just not worry about it anymore. Sealed batteries and K&N air filters and inline magnets and Electronic ignitions and Lucas Fuel Cleaner Stabilizer or Seafoam are perfect for me, as I hate to be repeating maintenance and repairs and tuning on the same bike over and over. I'm too lazy, and it just seemed stupid to be doing it... too many bikes, not enough time, better things to do. Try these tricks and you won't regret it. I also dislike a sputtering and poor running anything, but love antiques. The new injected and all electronic brained up and modern machines are very evolved and all that, but a properly tuned carb in a properly timed and adjusted old engine will run JUST FINE with a few tricks like this, I have found; and doesn't require constant Springtime fiddling and goofing around to get back on the road. Jim

dorT500 · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:19 am Post subject:

Now all I need is a rusty tank! Wink

Are these the cleanable filters you are referring to?......

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/562/25322/ITEM/Russell-Anodized-Fuel-Filters.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_25322&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=25322

Edit: I should add that I would think that the same rust particles, however small, that make it to the filter could also possibly damage fuel petcock components on some bikes.

marcy

Where can one acquire such a magnet for your russel inline fuel filter or do the filters come with them

gsbeliever · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:10 am Post subject: cleaning tanks

Here's my experience from many tanks, use something like the 2 part Yamaha rust remover because it will clean everything out, given the chance (one tank went 4 days soaking), and the neutralizer is also a moisture remover (eliminating chance of flash rust). That meant I only ran the hair dryer for 20 minutes and that may have been superfluous. It's also cheaper than $20 in vinegar! I tried the POR15 cleaner and was sadly disappointed (may work on very light deposits). Their sealer, however, is excellent. goes in like liquid metal and dries super hard. Make sure you don't get any on the outside of your tank or you'll hate yourself.
Kreem works and can work well IF CORRECTLY APPLIED. It's gotten a bad rap over the years because so many people tried to cut corners in the process and eventually it'll then start coming off. The POR15 sealer seems to be a much better bet.

Glennwood55cameo · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:02 pm Post subject:

I have had great success with vinegar>>>> CLICK HERE!

Freaky_1 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 1:42 am Post subject:

I don't know how much difference it actually makes but I've always neutralized the vinegar with baking soda once done cleaning. Then I just go one more day with the neutral solution.

catseye · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject:

Use this:
http://www.caswellplating.com/restoration-aids/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

You will thank me later.

Tango911 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

once you have cleaned a tank with either vinigar or wood bleach or anything, you need to rinse and dry the inside then coat it with WD40 or Two stroke oil. This will keep it from flash rusting until you use the tank, or you can fill it up with gas.

my 2 cents.