Topic: Petcock tape..?

[jstfkndi]

When I took the petcock off of my tank, I noticed what looked to be a white tape wrapped around the part that goes into the tank. I was just wondering if this is a necessary or precautionary measure. And if it is necessary, is it just regular teflon tape or special solvent resistant tape? Thanks in advance for help!


BTW, I am doing full white vinegar treatment on a rusty tank and so far it looks very promising if anyone has a nasty rusty tank to clean out, this looks like a very cheap, environmental and EFFECTIVE way to rid the rust!

[Hannibal Smith]

Teflon tape is used on petcocks. Tape is what is used and not any fancy goops/sealants etc.

Pingel, says only to use the tape (PTFE) also.

[mono]

jst - just as a heads up, the moment you rinse parts that are cleaned with vinegar, any bare metal will flash rust within moments.  at least, this is my experience when using this method and then rinsing the parts with water.  if i don't hit them with a polish or oil within seconds, it's all a light brown where the rust was.  i don't know if rinsing with something else will prevent this - so far i've just been doing small parts, but i wouldn't want this same thing to happen to the inside of your tank.

[Jiminy Indy]

I've always used the teflon tape and never had a ny problems leaking but when you take the petcock off the tape does look pretty awful almost like the gas starts to break it down so i wonder if there really isn't a better way to seal the threads. I'd hesitate to use any sealer / goop but maybe there's a more gas resistant pipe tape out there. just wondering ...

[phil71]

honda did it with no goop at all. you could try that

[flybox1]

jst - just as a heads up, the moment you rinse parts that are cleaned with vinegar, any bare metal will flash rust within moments.  at least, this is my experience when using this method and then rinsing the parts with water.  if i don't hit them with a polish or oil within seconds, it's all a light brown where the rust was.  i don't know if rinsing with something else will prevent this - so far i've just been doing small parts, but i wouldn't want this same thing to happen to the inside of your tank.

after vinegar treatment.... rinse/drain water.
immediately add 1qt. acetone. shake. drain.
add 1 pint gas - shake. rinse. drain.
fill w gas, or, coat w/ atf. 
no rust.

an OEM petcock washer works wonders 

[jstfkndi]

Thanks for the replies! Mono, I just plan on doing a rinse with baking soda and water and then hitting it with acetone. I will be saving the vinegar just in case anyway since I have some poison ivy to kill out back and if I am not fast enough with it, I may try to filter it and put it back in. Actually going to try and filter it tonight and do another two to three days, but I am curious how fast this will all happen once the vinegar comes out. I will be trying to get to the two stroke oil coating phase ASAP I am amazed at what it did in just three days so far!

[Bob Wessner]

If you do choose to use tape, make sure it is suitable for contact with petroleum products. White tape is for routine plumbing (water), the kind you need is yellow in color.

[750K]

Baking soda rinse will neutralize the acidity in the vinegar, then use acetone or methyl hydrate or anything that dispells water. Flash rust starts in minutes, I was amazed the first time I drained the rust out of a tank.

[luap]

Theres better tape then teflon, I forgot the name of it but its for natural gas fittings its a yellow role

[jstfkndi]

Gotcha, thanks! Any of that yellow tape available at parts stores?

[Bob Wessner]

Gotcha, thanks! Any of that yellow tape available at parts stores?

You local hardware store should have. It 's frequently used for natural gas pipe work.

[Jiminy Indy]

See, I knew you guys would come up with a better solution. I had never even heard of the yellow teflon tape before. Thanks a lot.

[mono]

after vinegar treatment.... rinse/drain water.
immediately add 1qt. acetone. shake. drain.
add 1 pint gas - shake. rinse. drain.
fill w gas, or, coat w/ atf. 
no rust.

thanks, Flybox! 

[andrewk]

honda did it with no goop at all. you could try that

Exactly.  If you're installing the petcock correctly, the tape won't be necessary, nor would it prevent any potential leaks. The seal doesn't occur on the threads.

[jstfkndi]

Plan on putting the petcock back together soon on the tank, but a heads up to anyone thinkning about cleaning out their rusty tank....do the vinegar trick!! I thought my tank was a loss, but it is as clean as a pin inside! I wish I had taken some before pics and I might have one somewhere, but I can definitely take an after pic for you.