Author Topic: Removing rust without chemicals  (Read 2235 times)

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Offline camelman

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Removing rust without chemicals
« on: March 06, 2016, 03:41:12 PM »
Think this will fit inside my tank? I'd like to get the last of the rust out without using chemicals.

1972 350f rider: sold
1972 350f/466f cafe: for sale
1977 CB400f cafe:sold
1975 CB400f rider: sold
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Offline brewsky

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2016, 03:49:39 PM »
Add a couple handfuls of screws, nuts with star washers etc into tank, wrap with an old blanket,  wait till moma's gone, stuff in dryer (on air fluff)!
66 CA77
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Offline camelman

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2016, 03:52:33 PM »
I like it, Brewsky! Probably $100k cheaper that the tool I linked to also. ;)
1972 350f rider: sold
1972 350f/466f cafe: for sale
1977 CB400f cafe:sold
1975 CB400f rider: sold
1970 CB750 K0 complete bike: sold
2005 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 rider

We've got to cut it off... and then come down on rockets.  (quoted from: seven minutes of terror)

Offline Davidov

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2016, 04:15:27 PM »
I've seen that elsewhere, it's a LASER.
Pretty cool, just need to wait 20-30 years for technology to catch up and make a use friendly version.
-David

Offline brewsky

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2016, 04:30:05 PM »
Google you tube and you can make one out of an old computer!
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Offline Bodi

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2016, 04:40:22 PM »
Must be some wild computer to have a 1kW laser inside.

Offline brewsky

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2016, 07:44:42 PM »
Well,.... it would need to be small to fit inside a gas tank ;)
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Offline drumstyx

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2016, 08:57:22 PM »
That dryer idea is incredible. Wrap it up in an old blanket and  secure and boom, gas tank shaker.

Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2016, 04:06:21 PM »
Electrolytic rust removal. Instead of washing soda use powder oxyclean. My tank looks brand new, I did have to change the anode and solution a few times though.


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Offline jonda500

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2016, 04:34:20 PM »
I am a big fan of the drier method - no water, no acid or any chemicals! The tank should be dry before doing it, if your tank is easy to shake things out of (early non fuel flap model) then aquarium gravel works well. After shaking out all the gravel (or removing the nuts & bolts with a magnet) you can blow out all the rust dust with compressed air- works great
John
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
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Offline CB_Jeff

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2016, 05:23:38 PM »
So, I have had good luck with evaporust, followed by baking soda and water, followed by a quart of two stroke.  Evaporust, I believe, is considered non-haz., so not very chemical-y and won't damage paint.
I have tried vinegar and run into flash rusting issues, not so much of an issue with evaporust. 
After cleaning several tanks I have concluded that there is no way around it being a messy job with some sort of waste.

Offline George_s

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2016, 07:26:59 AM »
I just picked up a '77 550F and the tank inside looks like it had been coated but the coating looks like it's coming off, it doesn't look like a smooth covering, looks like spots of the coating are missing.

What is recommended to remove whatever's in there and start over?

Thanks

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2016, 04:07:18 PM »
Use molasses, no chemicals needed.... ;)
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Offline Powderman

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2016, 05:09:05 PM »
I just picked up a '77 550F and the tank inside looks like it had been coated but the coating looks like it's coming off, it doesn't look like a smooth covering, looks like spots of the coating are missing.

What is recommended to remove whatever's in there and start over?

Thanks

You need a chemical stripper heavy in Methylene Chloride.

Offline brewsky

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2016, 05:14:44 PM »
Use molasses, no chemicals needed.... ;)
I've been tempted to try that, but the thought of thousands of yellow jackets coming to dinner have slowed me down?
Have you tried it outside?
66 CA77
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78 CB750K
02 FZ1
09 GL 1800

na3s

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #15 on: March 08, 2016, 05:49:00 PM »
Phosphoric acid has always worked the best for me

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2016, 06:10:12 PM »
Use molasses, no chemicals needed.... ;)
I've been tempted to try that, but the thought of thousands of yellow jackets coming to dinner have slowed me down?
Have you tried it outside?

Dave 500 uses it regularly, I had a mate who's father used to build trucks, he had a 6000 gallon, corrugated iron water tank cut in half and filled with molasses, he used to put every rusted part you'd ever seen into it including bloody huge engine blocks, chassis , what ever fitted in, everything came out spotless, it works very well on rust... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline micol

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2016, 06:16:35 PM »
I've used molasses on small parts. Slow but effective.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2016, 08:00:27 PM »
I've used molasses on small parts. Slow but effective.

Yes, its definitely no acid but it works... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline NobleHops

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2016, 08:17:36 PM »
Acetone made short work of a #$%*ty Kreem liner I had to dispatch. An epoxy liner is going to need the Methylene Chloride though, and good luck not screwing up the exterior paint with 5 gallons of that stuff in hand.

USE ALL POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS with methylene chloride.

N.
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I have a motorcycle problem.

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #20 on: March 08, 2016, 08:31:20 PM »
I've used molasses on small parts. Slow but effective.

Yes, its definitely no acid but it works... ;)

retro,
How long does it take that molasses to do it's job? How's 'Dave500' doing ??  :)
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  I love the small ones too !
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2016, 08:37:45 PM »
I've used molasses on small parts. Slow but effective.

Yes, its definitely no acid but it works... ;)

retro,
How long does it take that molasses to do it's job? How's 'Dave500' doing ??  :)

Its not fast, a couple of weeks.? Never used it myself but have seen others use it with good results, not exactly sure how long..  Haven't spoken to Dave for a while mate, KGhost lives very close to him and sees him often, I'm about 50 minutes to an hour from those guys... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2016, 09:18:27 PM »
I miss Dave on the forum.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline jonda500

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Re: Removing rust without chemicals
« Reply #23 on: March 09, 2016, 01:04:39 AM »
I've used molasses on small parts. Slow but effective.

Yes, its definitely no acid but it works... ;)

retro,
How long does it take that molasses to do it's job? How's 'Dave500' doing ??  :)

I miss dave500 on the forum too - so witty

Here's my seat pan and battery derusting in a molasses bath a couple of days after putting them in...
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
197? CB500/550 constructing from left over parts
1998 KTM 380 (two stroke) recent impulse buy, mmmm...