Author Topic: Clean that rusty gas tank! (Read 125848 times)

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #125 on:** June 17, 2009, 12:31:08 PM »

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 17, 2009, 11:27:22 AM

Do I need to remove the petcock from the tank?

Yes, its better if you do.

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 17, 2009, 11:27:22 AM

and if so, how do I go about that?

Unscrew, counter-clockwise.

To plug it up, I've found a threaded PVC pipe cap works great. I've had it for years. Got it at Tractor Supply.

See like this:

The camera i have to use sux at close up shots...

Chippy569 · « **Reply #126 on:** June 17, 2009, 03:40:37 PM »

Quote from: Dave-and-his-550 on June 17, 2009, 12:31:08 PM

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 17, 2009, 11:27:22 AM
Do I need to remove the petcock from the tank?

Yes, its better if you do.
Quote from: Chippy569 on June 17, 2009, 11:27:22 AM
and if so, how do I go about that?
Unscrew, counter-clockwise.

To plug it up, I've found a threaded PVC pipe cap works great. I've had it for years. Got it at Tractor Supply.

See like this:

The camera i have to use sux at close up shots...

I can't see the picture, but i'll try unscrewing it. Thanks!

-David

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #127 on:** June 17, 2009, 04:55:05 PM »

whoops ya. for some reason it uploaded three times and I must of deleted the one i posted. I fixed it.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #128 on:** June 17, 2009, 07:23:39 PM »

well I got this far...

and can't seem to get that assembly off. However, no water etc. flows through it, so I'm not worried, yet.

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #129 on:** June 17, 2009, 07:39:55 PM »

Needs to detach right from where it meets the tank. If you can't twist it off with a wrench then its just really really stuck on there. Use PB Blaster, or a lot of WD40 to loosen it up. Attached to that, is a filter that goes inside your tank, it helps keep out chunks of rust and other such stuff. You'll probably want to order a new one of those, especially if you leave it in there when you clean ur tank... Unless it's free of rips and tears, then it's probably reusable.

My petcock is off a 550, but I'm pretty sure they're all the same idea.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #130 on:** June 17, 2009, 08:25:40 PM »

that doesn't look like mine at all... mine's a 74 550.

...mine wasn't leaking anything out of it so I just decided to leave it in while I electrolyze the tank.

Update... I left it plugged in for 3 hours, and nothing came clean, but I did manage to dissolve the annode I was using.

BTW, this is the petcock on my tank:

but I haven't a clue how to remove it...

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #131 on:** June 17, 2009, 10:06:54 PM »

Ya thats weird. Aftermarket I guess. Perhaps you have to just twist the whole thing off with your hand lol...

Anyway. The opening post (OP) is wrong by the way. You have to have the positive hooked up to the electrode, and the negative to the tank.

Also, I've used a 1/2 cup of super washing soda, filled the tank all the way to the top. Worked pretty good. Make sure the electrode isn't touching the tank at all.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #132 on:** June 17, 2009, 10:24:27 PM »

not weird, just old, my bike is a 74.

I had mine hooked up correctly (tank black anode red) and used salt water, but pretty much nothing happened in 3 hours except for the coat hanger I was using dissolved.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #133 on:** June 17, 2009, 11:22:15 PM »

What amperage level are you using. Sounds like it may be too high. Try and keep it at around 2-4 amps. Coat hangers usually are either painted or have some type of coating which could also be a problem so you should hit it with some sandpaper to get it to bare steel. I use a rubber stopper to plug the petcock hole. Your petcock is not the same as the F bikes like mine and Dave's so maybe someone with a K bike will chime in on how to remove it. It looks pretty gunked up so getting it off and cleaned out may be a good idea. Did you clean the tank with a degreaser first?

ludo410 · « **Reply #134 on:** June 18, 2009, 12:48:46 AM »

was trying this on one of my other bikes... the soda wash method. just watch the amps on the charger. i cinda ignited the hydrogen in the tank "had it cranked up to high"... ears are still ringing and my shop got soaked with rust water.

note to self unplug charger before moving tank

Chippy569 · « **Reply #135 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:21:52 AM »

Quote from: srust58 on June 17, 2009, 11:22:15 PM

What amperage level are you using. Sounds like it may be too high. Try and keep it at around 2-4 amps. Coat hangers usually are either painted or have some type of coating which could also be a problem so you should hit it with some sandpaper to get it to bare steel. I use a rubber stopper to plug the petcock hole. Your petcock is not the same as the F bikes like mine and Dave's so maybe someone with a K bike will chime in on how to remove it. It looks pretty gunked up so getting it off and cleaned out may be a good idea. Did you clean the tank with a degreaser first?

I see you are in minneapolis as well! The "battery tender" I had is rated at 12V @ 2A so I really doubt I overpowered it. I did the shake-nuts-and-bolts for a while and got some crud off. Then I washed/rinsed thoroughly with PB blaster, which is not a degreaser I know, but I tried. Then I filled with salt water and let it run. I think my coathanger was not a steel model because it dissolved, so I'll hunt down some other anode material tomorrow.

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #136 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:33:52 AM »

A long piece of steel from Tractor Supply, or Orchieln's Farm Supply worked good. I think its called steel rebar?

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #137 on:** June 18, 2009, 09:03:18 AM »

Did you see the picture of the anode I made of steel flat bar from Home Despot? The more surface area the better. If the tank has varnish from old gas is has to be cleaned as the electrolysis will not affect it. It should start to fizz and make some foam right away. Depending on the type of charger some have had to but a battery in line to get this to work. Where in MPLS are you? I am in Bryn Mwr.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #138 on:** June 18, 2009, 09:15:16 AM »

I'm going to try and find some new anode material later, the stuff I used was probably just something funky. I'm in maple grove, northwest corner of the metro, the 494/94 junction is practically in my back yard.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #139 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:27:54 PM »

Here is my restoration thread, complete with many more pics.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=53319.0

Well, after grabbing a new charger (this time with an amp meter on it) and changing out the fluid, this is where I find myself. Before I ever touched the tank:

and at 3:30 this afternoon:

that was hooked up at roughly 11 AM, so after 4 hours (plus whatever last night) it's gotten that far (or not far at all, depending on who's counting). So i changed out the fluid and hooked it back up, and I'll probably flush/refill again tonight and take more progress pics.

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #140 on:** June 18, 2009, 05:15:19 PM »

Wow, what a mess. I'd probably recommend using The Works instead at that point.

Well I got some good news! I did my tank again, and I really think it's gonna stay rust free this time.

After using The Works every bit of rust was gone of course, I rinsed it out and then used a gallon of water plus a 50/50 mix of powdered laundry detergent and baking soda and swished it around for 10 minutes. I rinsed that out, and then another gallon of water plus half a cup of pure baking soda. After five minutes I rinsed that out as well. I got as much water out as possible. Finally, I put in about a cup of phosphoric acid which is still sittin in there. When I get that out by compressed air, I'll probably spray in a bunch of WD40 and let that sit in there to take care of the remaining water.

Yikes...I hope it stays clean this time.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #141 on:** June 18, 2009, 09:52:05 PM »

note to self: the crap that foams up, eats paint. *sigh*

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #142 on:** June 19, 2009, 06:35:29 PM »

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 18, 2009, 09:52:05 PM

note to self: the crap that foams up, eats paint. *sigh*

Have not had that problem. Is it a rattle can paint job as that type of paint is not as resistant fuel and chemicals.

Chippy569 · « **Reply #143 on:** June 19, 2009, 09:44:46 PM »

no, it was the original 1974 maroon paint, all around the tank neck and down one side where it bubbled over and sat a while.

razor02097 · « **Reply #144 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:09:01 PM »

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 19, 2009, 09:44:46 PM

no, it was the original 1974 maroon paint, all around the tank neck and down one side where it bubbled over and sat a while.

PB blaster will eat paint... Also salt will damage paint. Either one or both ruined your paint.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #145 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:45:19 PM »

I have stated in here somewhere that salt is not the best choice to use. This thread has it's fair share of inaccurate or just plain bad ideas including the original post.

MikeB · « **Reply #146 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:07:42 PM »

Well after reading this post a few months ago
I used the aircraft stripper to remove the old lining ( don't know if it was Kream or ?)
and found that the hole tank inside was rusted and had about 4 pinholes along the petcock side
was going to try the electrolisis method but thought what the He!!
and took a 3" cutoff blade to it and bead blasted it, came out really clean only took about and hour or so and then another 2 or 3 hours to weld it back up and grind it smooth and then ran
some JB weld putty along the weld ( to seal all the little pin holes in my welding, I really suck at welding

) and sanded the bottom smooth

razor02097 · « **Reply #147 on:** June 23, 2009, 04:06:48 AM »

Quote from: MikeB on June 22, 2009, 08:07:42 PM

Well after reading this post a few months ago
I used the aircraft stripper to remove the old lining ( don't know if it was Kream or ?)
and found that the hole tank inside was rusted and had about 4 pinholes along the petcock side
was going to try the electrolisis method but thought what the He!!
and took a 3" cutoff blade to it and bead blasted it, came out really clean only took about and hour or so and then another 2 or 3 hours to weld it back up and grind it smooth and then ran
some JB weld putty along the weld ( to seal all the little pin holes in my welding, I really suck at welding ) and sanded the bottom smooth

Well that is 1 way to clean that rusty tank

Roach Carver · « **Reply #148 on:** June 24, 2009, 06:12:36 PM »

Quote from: Chippy569 on June 17, 2009, 07:23:39 PM

well I got this far...

and can't seem to get that assembly off. However, no water etc. flows through it, so I'm not worried, yet.

pull that o ring out. then pull the screen by the tabs. there are two phillips head screws holding the rest of the petcock on. uncrew and your done. If someone answered the question already then sorry, i am an idiot.

76SuperSport · « **Reply #149 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:38:17 PM »

Im gonna test this on my old 78k project-to-be bike, that tank is RUSTY! 25 years of sitting in a barn

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Author Topic: Clean that rusty gas tank! (Read 125848 times)

Chippy569

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76SuperSport