Topic: Small rust spot on tank... Anything I can do to salvage?

[VTNick7]

So I noticed this small rust spot on my tank now that must have been leaking a little bit of gas these last couple of days. I noticed it when I bought it, but it didnt start leaking until yesterday.. Is there anything I can do to salvage the tank? Something I can spray over it for this small spot.. Would really like to salvage the tank if at all possible.

[Powderman]

If it's leaking gas there I imagine the inside is far more gone than you imagine and it's probably not salvageable. If you blast the area to refinish it you will probably blast bigger holes in it. I suppose there are liners and outside patches that might buy you some time but I would start looking for a new tank.

[VTNick7]

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-parts-red-kote-fuel-tank-liner-sealer-1062110.html

Too late for this after an electrolysis treatment?  It really is minor at this point and leaking slowly.

[kghost]

I recommend you line it with POR-15.

The problem you will have with any coating is it goes on the inside.

In order to get it to adhere properly, the tank has to be chemically treated to remove the active rust.

This may increase the size of the current hole.

Too big a hole and the sealant won't plug it.

As mentioned, the internals of the tank are seriously rusty by the time a pin hole appears in the outside.

[VTNick7]

Thanks guys!  I stumbled upon this .. http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154997 .. So will follow his instructions closely. but will probably forego the evaporust in favor of just that kit..  http://www.advanced-rust-protection.com/mm5/merchant.mvc? .. and just make sure to thoroughly clean the rust out before applying the POR-15.

[Garage_guy_chris]

I just had an almost identical leak on a CB 450 tank. AFTER CLEANING IT LIKE 15 TIMES i managed to mig weld it up and not blow myself up and stop the leak.

[VTNick7]

I just had an almost identical leak on a CB 450 tank. AFTER CLEANING IT LIKE 15 TIMES i managed to mig weld it up and not blow myself up and stop the leak.

That might just be a temporary solution if the rust propagates on the inside?  Im a little weary to get any kind of spark near the fumes even if I were to "thoroughly" clean it.  Not sure.. Hopefully that kit I bought with POR-15 will do the trick.. Ill apply some of it to the outside of the tank as well on that spot and just repaint eventually :/

[Stev-o]

I agree with kghost, needs to be lined. I recently did my RD tank with the Caswell product...


http://www.caswellplating.com/restoration-aids/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html?gclid=CL_Eur3Tu7gCFY5r7AodUEMAsg

[bjbuchanan]

Call por15 and ask if there are normal materials that por15 kit won't adhere itself too, say like saran wrap. Put that on the outside of the tank until the kit sets up, "skins" over. Clean insides are the big thing with this kit or it will fail

[Stev-o]

Call por15 and ask if there are normal materials that por15 kit won't adhere itself too, say like saran wrap. Put that on the outside of the tank until the kit sets up, "skins" over. Clean insides are the big thing with this kit or it will fail

Caswell claims their epoxy product adheres to rust.  Worth a shot to me....

[K3Owner]

VT, I haven't heard yet that the inside of the tank is actually bad. That spot could have started from a lean against concrete and sitting outside so - outside-in corrosion. If so, empty the tank, sand the spot clean, toss some dry ice in the tank to kill the oxygen and fumes, and tig spot it. Here's hoping for you.

[VTNick7]

VT, I haven't heard yet that the inside of the tank is actually bad. That spot could have started from a lean against concrete and sitting outside so - outside-in corrosion. If so, empty the tank, sand the spot clean, toss some dry ice in the tank to kill the oxygen and fumes, and tig spot it. Here's hoping for you.

Yeah true... If only I had a TIG spot welder :/ .. Ill drain the tank tonight and dry as much of it as I can to prep for the POR-15 treatment.. If the inside is in ok shape that should seal her up tight.

[nvr2old]

To get it good and clean on the inside, you might consider taking it to a reputable radiator repair shop.  They can boil it out and expose the bad areas really well.  They might even be able to do the repair work, too.  The tank will need to be completely repainted, though.

[Garage_guy_chris]

my "thorough" cleaning involved hot water and dish soap, filled the tank about 1/3 and shake shake shake. Repeated 15 or so times untill i couldnt smell the least trace of gas. 

For the repair i left the gas cap open so if something did ignite hopefully it would give it somewhere to expand too.

I was thinking of brazing  but i couldnt find a definate answer on if a MAPP torch will braze sheet metal. So i decided to try my MIG welder (with full gas setup) it seemed to work ok. I had the bike out last night and it held so hopefully it will be ok till i get the new tank ready.

[Vinhead1957]

If you heat it, it will distort the thin metal and you will need to use body filler.  I have used the braze rods at Home Depot with mapp gas and small torch. Try to manage the heat so you don't overly distort.  I use the side of the flame rather than the tip directly at it.

[kghost]

VT, I haven't heard yet that the inside of the tank is actually bad. That spot could have started from a lean against concrete and sitting outside so - outside-in corrosion. If so, empty the tank, sand the spot clean, toss some dry ice in the tank to kill the oxygen and fumes, and tig spot it. Here's hoping for you.

Yeah true... If only I had a TIG spot welder :/ .. Ill drain the tank tonight and dry as much of it as I can to prep for the POR-15 treatment.. If the inside is in ok shape that should seal her up tight.

I have a TIG welder and have probably repaired over 25 tanks in the last 10 years.

You can TIG weld up the pin holes.......you do however wind up chasing the corrosion.

I stick a garden hose in the tank and let it run for half an hour. Gas floats. So sitting full with a running hose flushes them out.

Haven't blown myself up yet.

I have never seen a tank corrode from the outside in.

Your pinhole is in the classic place. Left side about 2/3 of the way down the tank.

This is where water collects with the bike on the side stand

[LesterPiglet]

I just had an almost identical leak on a CB 450 tank. AFTER CLEANING IT LIKE 15 TIMES i managed to mig weld it up and not blow myself up and stop the leak.

[VTNick7]

So is anyone selling a 550 or 500 tank? Preferably one w the single gas cap on top and not the contraption I currently own?? Apparently the precious owner tried to seal it up. Asked him. And looked inside and took this tank apart and it looked clear of rust so I really don't know what the problem is. I'd like a tank w knee pads so someone help me out and I'll keep an eye on the for sales. Willing to do a trade. This tank isn't in horrible shape

[VTNick7]

Where can I find the filter that rest up near the petcock in the tank?

[LesterPiglet]

David Silvers sells the original in-tank screen.

[VTNick7]

So if the PO applied some form of seal to the insides before, will my POR-15 kit do anything/even adhere? I'm going to wait until some other purchases get made before I tackle sanding down the tank and repairing/repainting it. Sad to have to see the original flake blue paint go, but I would rather have a slick white paint job anyhow.

[LesterPiglet]

I've been trying to find someone to paint my tank flake sapphire blue for years. I've found a guy says he can do it. Time will tell.

[VTNick7]

I've been trying to find someone to paint my tank flake sapphire blue for years. I've found a guy says he can do it. Time will tell.

Yeah damn I really dont wanna start sanding this bad boy off... Not sure what to do. I do know I need to get my front end back together and just strap that tank on for a ride though! It's been too long and I'm losing time before school starts back up

[Stev-o]

Wanna trade? I have a non shiny white tank.

[Raef]

I have found I have had the best luck simply soildering pin holes along the weld. after the tank is cleaned just remove the petcock open the cap and put a shop vac in the fill cap, as long as fresh air is moving through you are pretty safe