Topic: fuel tank liner removal

[Muckinfuss]

Since you seem intent on a liquid solving your problem....the only thing that seems to universally work at breaking the bond of epoxy based encapsulation........Methylene Chloride. This solvent is hard to obtain as it has been declared a carcinogen. The user must take all precautions to prevent contact with skin and not to inhale the vapours while using this product.  The unknown, is the type of epoxy, known as part A and the hardener, known as part b.  Esther, vinyl, styrene based?  They're all different in some extent.  MEK will work on one.  Acetone on another.  Dichloromethane on two of the three....not so much on one, but eventually it will work.

There is no simple or easy way on this.  Once again, I would point you in the direction of putting sharp stones, like about two cups of #57 limestone in the tank....seal it up.....wrap the tank securely in one or two moving blankets with a good amount of duck tape.  Fill your dryer with other blankets to center this new package as much as you can and let it tumble for sever hours on air.  If you look at the price performance of this way vs. the high cost/low result ratio + constant rethinking of the path you've been following............you'll thank me.

[Ibdsharpe]

Didn't realize the rocks in the tank in the dryer could be a standalone remedy for my issue.  Will give it a try for sure.  Thanks

[Terry in Australia]

I'm really enjoying reading Mucky's haughty posts. (must be great having an education, you can talk down to lesser mortals and they still thank you for your help!)

I thought I recognised his reference to Methylene Chloride, it's the main ingredient in the common paint stripper that I buy at my local hardware store. I wonder why it's so hard to obtain in the US?

http://www.recochem.com.au/index.php/products/consumer_products/solvents/item/diggers_paint_stripper

[Ibdsharpe]

No clue Terry, but plan on trying the "rock n roll" system at the first opportunity..........meaning when my wife is shopping.
ps: only thing I liked about chemistry class was the blonde sitting in front of me:-)

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah mate, I'll be interested in seeing how the "rock n roll" system works, if it does it'll be safer than paint stripper, for sure. Let us all know how you go!

[Ibdsharpe]

Terry , It's a real pita trying to centter in dryer but removed a lot of the liner. However it did not get it all and I did it for 2 hrs witjh tank in both directions. The seams were not phased by the effort unfortunately. Guess MEK will still be needed.

[Terry in Australia]

No worries mate, just be careful with that stuff, I don't want you growing an extra head or something..........

[kingrabbit]

I empathise with you. I did the same thing with a tank from a '75 CB 750. The tank looked great on the outside so I wanted to save the paint job.
Which I did. So hang in there, be careful and you will persevere.
I tried the dryer trick too. There is a detailed thread on this forum somewhere which I followed.
In my case the old liner (Red Kote I would say) had to come out. Along with a lot of rust.
I used muriatic acid. its cheap ($10 for 4 litres). Its used for cleaning masonry so its available at hardware stores.
Once most of the heavy stuff was removed from he tank I added the muriatic acid. 7 parts water 1 part acid (I think...). It is toxic no doubt. Used well ventilatetd area. Filled tank to the very top. Let it sit overnite. Presto.
Be ready with your new liner kit. If the tank sits it will rust again.
In my case the process led to multiple pinholes and a leaky tank.
JB weld.
I used a Kream liner kit. That was last year. My tank looks great.
Good luck.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, "Kreem" is a dirty word around here, but I've used it with no issues, it's like painting a car or bike, all about the prep. If you get a bad result it's usually down to your own lack of attention to detail. Cheers, Terry.

[lucky]

I have removed tank liner by using a short piece of rough chain.