Topic: Gas Tank Rust Removal

[PeWe]

I have a tank in my garage with 5 liter vinegar in. After a few hours I let it rest in a different angle. The vinegar I bought is 12%.
Here a thread where different methods are described.
http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Removing_rust_from_a_gas_tank
Update: Next morning I filled tank completely with vinegar that sat 28 hours more...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,61168.msg1690591.html#msg1690591

Then drained tank and on the bike again. No meaning to dry the tank if no sealer is used.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,61168.msg1690309.html#msg1690309

Update: I should have dried the the tank after the rinse with alcohol. Then blewed it with compressed air. Tank had small particles like dust that later mixed with gasoline and caused a stop when driving.
Update 2: Fuel stop caused by rusted fuel cap, air inlet blocked.

[jdenz]

I used 1 gallon of evaporust on mine for a little over 24 hours turning the tank every few hours. it was enough and did a great job. tank looks like new inside. Make sure you fill it up with gas after or use some WD40 if you will leave it standing empty for a while.

[mrfish2]

I used 1 gallon of evaporust on mine for a little over 24 hours turning the tank every few hours. it was enough and did a great job. tank looks like new inside. Make sure you fill it up with gas after or use some WD40 if you will leave it standing empty for a while.

EvapoRust is an AWESOME chemical. It's supposedly safe on painted surfaces and eats rust away from anything. I've used it on some of the old bolts and screws that have lost their zinc coating and it cleans every bit of rust off of them after a little soak. The disadvantage is the price though at $24.99 a gallon last I checked.

[plab]

anyone ever tried MSR (milkstone remover) .I read an article in the vintage Japanese magazine
suppose to be the cat's meow .it's cheaper then evaporust

plab

[RayWrangler]

Research APPLE CIDER VINEGAR . watch the YouTube videos. 

[chewbacca5000]

If you have a pristine outside take and want a "commercial product" I would recomend ESPIRIT.  I did a review awhile back if anyone is interested.  It is concentrated so you pay for product not water.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,95114.25.html

[Justin]

I used Jasco Stripper to get the old liner out, had it in there for about a week, shifting the tank into different positions occasionally. Then I taped it up and stuck it in the dryer with a bunch of blankets and other stuff to tumble the stuff. Then I put acetone and machine screws in there and shook it for a half hour every day for a couple days. Now the inside looks much better, even raw metal in some spots. I'm probably going to give it the KBS / POR-15 treatment.

[CB_Jeff]

I used vinegar and then later used Evaporust.  Worked great.
Make sure on the vinegar that you promptly neutralize otherwise you will have flash rust and need to do the job twice.
For what it is worth this is a messy job that I would love to farm out in the future.

[MoMo]

fwiw, home depot sells half gallons of cleaning vinegar for 1.79-located in aisle 44 where all the cleaning stuff is...Larry

[jonda500]

It's a drag getting rocks, nuts and bolts out... never again.
I used metal rescue and that worked very well, downside is its $100 for 5 gallons. I think I'm going to try the viniger or toilet bowl cleaner method next time.

Have to agree - the tank with the hinged flap has a recessed filler neck and is a son of a b*tch to get stuff out of! The 500 tank, however, is relatively easy to shake rocks/nuts/bolts out of.

[Justin]

It's a drag getting rocks, nuts and bolts out... never again.
I used metal rescue and that worked very well, downside is its $100 for 5 gallons. I think I'm going to try the viniger or toilet bowl cleaner method next time.

Have to agree - the tank with the hinged flap has a recessed filler neck and is a son of a b*tch to get stuff out of! The 500 tank, however, is relatively easy to shake rocks/nuts/bolts out of.

in regard to this, I used sheet metal screws and wood screws to tumble the rust out. when I finished doing all the shaking and what not i just used a telescoping magnet pen/pointer thing to retrieve all the hardware. worked brilliantly 

[jebon]

It's a drag getting rocks, nuts and bolts out... never again.
I used metal rescue and that worked very well, downside is its $100 for 5 gallons. I think I'm going to try the viniger or toilet bowl cleaner method next time.

Have to agree - the tank with the hinged flap has a recessed filler neck and is a son of a b*tch to get stuff out of! The 500 tank, however, is relatively easy to shake rocks/nuts/bolts out of.

As long as you use bolts and screws and not gravel I don't think it's that bad. Be careful with vinegar. It'll eat your decals and it's tough on chrome

[PeWe]

When tack is cleaned/derusted: Blow the tank with compressed air or use a small vacuum cleaner to remove all small particles that can block the petcock and carbs.
I should have done it. Got my bike towed back home with help of a friend with a trailer after I had called him.

[Hotwheelbill]

I am on day 5 using Vinegar and salt, on one tank and day 3 on another. The second tank was all rust only. The first has an OLD liner fair hardened in the bottom. I may have to try the Works thing on it. But rust removal on both is coming along very nice!!

[Hotwheelbill]

Vinegar isn't likely to remove the liner nearly as well as Acetone, Bill. Then, use vinegar to remove any rust.

Will do. Thanks Cal.

[FlipYa4Fake]

My success with vinegar

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,148987.msg1699195.html#msg1699195