Author Topic: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?  (Read 1993 times)

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Offline Hills2Horizons

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #25 on: April 02, 2024, 01:10:34 PM »
Gotta love that POR-15 tank liner stuff. If used correctly the first time around you likely would not be in this situation. I did the pictured tank back in 2017 and it's still in the same condition. Maybe try vinegar and that evapo crap then etch carefully with POR-15 metal prep then use the good stuff :).  Do not make the tank airtight when using vinegar or it will pop lol.

Hey! Thanks for the info. I didn't use any type of lining substance, I just put some oil in it and coated the inside as much as possible but then it sat way longer than I anticipated.
1972 CB500F

Offline Hills2Horizons

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #26 on: April 04, 2024, 08:59:20 AM »
Hopefully photos when done?

Definitely photos when done!
1972 CB500F

Offline Hills2Horizons

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #27 on: April 04, 2024, 09:01:09 AM »
I have used both electrolysis and vinegar. The former is slow and the latter even slower!

The main problem I found with electrolysis was to get a suitable shaped electrode and then making sure it wasn't touching the tank. That said, it worked well.

I'm going to get the vinegar tonight. I also read people put baking soda in the tank along with the vinegar, have you tried that?
1972 CB500F

Offline Pbeattie89

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #28 on: April 04, 2024, 10:33:28 AM »
I have used both electrolysis and vinegar. The former is slow and the latter even slower!

The main problem I found with electrolysis was to get a suitable shaped electrode and then making sure it wasn't touching the tank. That said, it worked well.

I'm going to get the vinegar tonight. I also read people put baking soda in the tank along with the vinegar, have you tried that?
Do not put the baking soda in with the vinegar. It will neutralize it and prevent it from working. You can do a water and baking soda rinse afterward to neutralize any remaining vinegar. Left in the tank.

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Offline Hills2Horizons

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #29 on: April 09, 2024, 08:42:26 AM »
Alright y'all. So I went with the vinegar option for now just because the rust doesn't look TOO thick so I think it'll do well. I have it sitting out in the sun, and I'm SO happynto report that the petcock I rebuilt is holding everything in 🤩
1972 CB500F

Online carnivorous chicken

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #30 on: April 09, 2024, 08:56:13 AM »
Just a thought -- and maybe someone else who knows better can chime in -- but the metal used for petcocks is, of course, different from the tanks. In my experience, they have been susceptible to corrosion and I'd be worried about letting it sit in contact with vinegar for very long (although, of course, since it's turned off it's just the top part). I've seen quite a few 350F petcocks corroded beyond use over the years.

I've been babying a 350F tank for 5 or 6 weeks, stripping it (with the kind of weak stripper available here in CDMX, or at least what I found), then smoothing out a couple of dings with bondo (and taking my time -- several days). I had bought POR15 kits (I have another tank in the wings) and decided to go that route. Went through the three steps, got it bone dry, added the final sealant -- and it looks great. I used rubber stoppers to seal it off.

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #31 on: April 09, 2024, 02:01:58 PM »
Yes, you do not want to expose the petcock to any kind of acid!
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Offline Hills2Horizons

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #32 on: April 23, 2024, 11:17:56 AM »
I'm so happy with how it turned out!!!!! Thank you everyone for all of the advice!
1972 CB500F

Offline Pbeattie89

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #33 on: April 23, 2024, 12:44:38 PM »
Im glad it worked out for you. If it's going to sit at all, make sure to get some 2 stroke oil in there.

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Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: Rusty Tank - Thoughts?
« Reply #34 on: April 27, 2024, 03:55:37 PM »
if you are ok with dropping cash, then 5 gallons of metal rescue works really well.
73/74'' CB500/550 resto-mod - sold
75' 750f 91' cbr f2 swap cafe - mock up
74' 750 chopper hardtail - complete - sold
74' CB750/836kit - Black mix & match - daily rider - always tweaking
71' cb500 K0 survivor - complete
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