petrol tank cleaning

(http://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/petrol_tank_cleaning_and_rust_removal.html)

I cut and pasted the above link from the posting- listed in the last 20 postings- on Recommissioning a mark 11A commando. I hope it is of help

If you GOOGLE 'washing soda rust removal ' or words with sodium bi carbonate rust removal, plenty of clear instructions of how to clean off rust on/in iron tanks or any thing made of iron. All using readily available and cheap soda. No nasty acids etc.

As far as doing the inside of the tank, the positive electrode must not touch the inside other wise it will cause an electrical short, so, to insulate it,I use a length of plastic electrical conduit and drill plenty of holes in it then insert my iron electrode down into it. Then this way, I can push it into all the hard to get at corners to 'plate off ' the rust. This method takes a while, but does not remove any of the undamaged parent metal.

Over to you.

Paul

If the rust isn't too bad then Tesco value diet cola works well, it's weak phosphoric acid. I filled my tank with it for a couple of quid and left it for a week, I then pressure washed it, quickly swilled it with alcohol and dried it (hot sunny day) then put some 2 stroke mix in, shook it about and job done. Your big enemy which ever way you do it, is flash rusting, in the right (wrong) conditions you'll see it rust as you watch! I've also used millstone remover on a badly rusted oil tank, that worked well but needed a fair amount of bicarbonate to neutralise it, and you need to take care.

You could try vinegar, which is what I did, seems to work pretty well

For inexpensive, cleaning vinegar from a hardware store or weed killer

Yep I've used vinegar as well, but found it flash rusted pretty quickly ...more than the phosphoric acid/coke. But both are cheap and easy to do again. I don't know about weed Killer? But am pretty damn sure that sticking roundup in the tank isn't going to do anything! Algon which is a moss killer is acetic acid so is the same as vinegar but way more expensive.

Phosphoric acid is easy to find at the hardware store, as rust remover

The weed killer I am talking about is vinegar, high percentage, not Roundup!

Cooking vinegar is low acid percentage, 4 or something, I forget, the cleaning is 10%, the weed killer is 20 to 30%

I think both phosphoric acid and vinegar are water based

As soon as I dumped out the vinegar I poured in acetone, water is soluble in acetone

I dumped that out and poured in WD40

I will have to clean that out before coating it

Having said and done all that, the painter says I should take it to the radiator shop and have them dip and seal it

Mark

i guessed you meant vinegar! Algon, is one make ..... others are available!

If you live near an agricultural suppliers (I use Mole Valley Farmers) you could by milkstone Remover which is Phosphoric acid. A gallon was only a few quid. I diluted it by a third and neutralised it with bicarbonate of soda which leaves non toxic waste.

phosporic acid is less dangerous than hydrochloric or sulphuric but still needs respect, wear goggles, gloves and overalls. Always add acid to water and not vice versa.

dan

I bought the vinegar at the hardware store in the cleaning section and on Amazon for the weed killer, really it kills all plants

Reply to Richards POR-15 scenario. POR product gives brilliant results BUT you must follow instructions and use their prep solutions to the letter. Most important post cleaning you must ensure the tank is 100% dry, they even supply a quality and useful inspection mirror in the motorcycle tank lining kit! I have used their products several times with 100% success and its allegedly ALL modern fuels proof. Personally I have had no tank liner issues or degradation by the dreaded ethanol except for disintegrating fuel lines. The POR-15 tank sealer lining is rock solid but you have to be really pedantic and have an attention to detail. Results will surpass your expectations but itâs all down to your efforts with the pre tank prep

Rgds Steve

I've used the baking soda with the electric current and that works well and I know a bloke who put 6mm grit in the tank raps his in a dovay put that in a bag then puts it in a cement mixer it seems a bit harsh but it works well and some of the tanks he's done have been really rusted up in side and they were very clean once they came out mind you I would fancy doing it myself

Clayton

I've used the baking soda with the electric current and that works well and I know a bloke who put 6mm grit in the tank raps his in a dovay put that in a bag then puts it in a cement mixer it seems a bit harsh but it works well and some of the tanks he's done have been really rusted up in side and they were very clean once they came out mind you I would fancy doing it myself

Clayton