Petrol Tank

[Bishop Beezer]

Hello, what is the best way to remove rust from inside of a petrol tank.
Also, once clean, if a sealant is sensible, which one.
Thanks, Steven

[Pete A10]

I used Biorust and Flowliner from C Wilde Motorcycles. Did a very good job. Not cheap but ethanol proof which some of the cheaper ones are not. I did a 4 gallon tank on my B40 and found there was too much Flowliner - probably only need 75% to get a good coating - save the rest for something else. You need to keep swilling it around in the tank until it starts to gel otherwise it can pool and get too thick and gets hot which can then crack. With the Biorust have a container available to keep it in after you've done the tank as the mixture can be reused a few times.

[Bishop Beezer]

Thank you Pete.
I will look into that.
It is for a 2 gallon tank so would you feel 50-75% of the liner would be enough.

[geraldhattrick75]

I did my A65 tank with a lot of small nuts and bolts, and a lot of shaking... followed by some more shaking.

Gave it a really good cleaning with boiling water....

Then 'Metal Prepped' it.... That treats what's left of the rust.

Then sealed it with POR15 tanks sealer. (just follow the instructions)   
https://www.frost.co.uk/por15-motorcycle-fuel-tank-repair-kit/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhp5KwJYpBb4o2ghtHYj4EyrOkHH_Y_z7tY369V9Qx7ff-Jas8fXhEzRoCv_kQAvD_BwE


Unfortunately, I have yet to test it......

But I used it 'cos of all the good reports....


Good luck with whatever you choose.
Dave.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

I used POR15 in my wife's A10 tank a few thousand miles ago.  As said previously, follow the instructions and if you have another tank do it at the same time as there is plenty of sealant.

Dave.

[Beesy]

Electrolysis worked brilliantly for me. Inside of tank was coated in heavy rust. I did two times of 3 days each and was left with bright shiny 'as new' metal. I was stunned.

Plenty of useful videos on You tube. It's now my go to method.

[Mike Farmer]

 

I use a piece of chain on a string and rattle it around to clean the tank to get the big stuff and flakes out, then electrolysis. Then PQR.

You can get it done professionally, fairly expensive las.

Mike

[Mike Farmer]

:)should have continued "last one I had done was £180 and that was 4 years back.

[Mike Farmer]

 

Hopefully a pic of my tank in the bath

Mike

[cdsdorset]

Phosphoric acid.

[GlennA65]

Electrolysis worked brilliantly for me. Inside of tank was coated in heavy rust. I did two times of 3 days each and was left with bright shiny 'as new' metal. I was stunned.

Plenty of useful videos on You tube. It's now my go to method.

Hi Mike. Interesting this, I've tried similar with some side panels and not had much success though my power source wouldn't provide more than 6v without cutting out. What Power source did you use and what chemical in the solution please?
Thanks Glenn

[Mike Farmer]

 

I used a 12V battery charger. A slack handful of ordinary kitchen soda chrystals. and the receiving lump of iron as close as possible without actually touching.

If its working you will see a "track" of bubbles between the two items very quickly, ln a couple of minutes usually but not always.

Mike

[GlennA65]

Thanks Mike, that's pretty much what I did but not I think with enough wellie! I certainly got loads of bubbles and the rust improved but it left rusty staining where the rust had been that wouldn't wipe off. I'll have to get a good old fashioned no frills charger and try again.
Thanks Glenn

[chaz]

I used a 12V battery charger. A slack handful of ordinary kitchen soda chrystals. and the receiving lump of iron as close as possible without actually touching.

If its working you will see a "track" of bubbles between the two items very quickly, ln a couple of minutes usually but not always.

Mike

Mike  interested in this as I've a b40 tank to do.was it plain water and soda Crystal's in the tank full up?  Also pos or neg to the tank? Interested as I've also got 20+ WW1 shells to do we rescued from the Somme over the years.

[Mike Farmer]

 

Just tap water. Positive to the receiver and neg to the item.

As you will see, I had to do mine with only half submerged then turn it after a couple of days.

Point to note: - Although it can be difficult, try to keep your negative att clip out of the mixture. I have had one so eaten away as to need  replacement. Why---not a clue. When necessary I connect a piece of wire to the item then att -ve clip.

Afterward when possible wash asap with hot
water so the temp helps to dry the item. Then normal wire brush and get it coated PDQ before it has time to start to corrode again. Petrol tanks are very hot to handle after you swill em with hot water.

Mike