Topic: i have an idea!!!

[MasterChief750]

i dont know if this is currently being done but i was thinking about how we always go through the hassle of lining our gas tanks. i was thinking i want to try plating the inside with zinc. kind of like a galvanized coating. what are the ghoughts concerns if any.

[rhos1355]

Price??

[MasterChief750]

i would offer to do it once i got it working seems simple enough. acid clean the tank, negative to the tank positive to a zinc source and bam plated tank.

[Steve F]

i would offer to do it once i got it working seems simple enough. acid clean the tank, negative to the tank positive to a zinc source and bam plated tank.

Yes, but inside?  Would have to be repainted afterwards?
Just being a skeptic.

[MasterChief750]

the tank would be the plating tank and the area to be plated like i said i dont know if it would work, im going to have to try it on something before i do it to my tank.

[CB750Ken8]

I believe he's saying that head acid clean the inside, pour in the zinc solution, after sealing all the necessary holes, attach neg to outside of the tank and the positive would just float in the zinc solution via the fill hole.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Steve F]

Worth a try, eh?

[zzpete]

  I have to see how this turns out!

[BeSeeingYou]

I seem to recall the idea of using galvanized (zinc plating) steel for fuel tanks for boats was not a good idea.  It was thought the the tanks would hold up in the marine environment but the problems was a reaction between the fuel and the zinc.  I would do some research first.

[TwoTired]

Zinc plating is used in a sacrificial role to protect steel (iron).  Instead of iron oxide, you get zinc oxide until the zinc has depleted, then you get iron oxide again.

Plating thickness vs. conversion rate determines the protection level of the base steel.

How will you measure the plating thickness?
How will you determine deterioration rate?

[lone*X]

CHROME!  Just chrome the inside.  Think how cool that would look when you poped opened the cap.  Actually forget the chrome, just do the copper and then nickel bases and stop there.  Nickel is pretty inert.

[MasterChief750]

yeah i want to do a few tests. chrome would be cool but requires some nasts chemicals. copper isnt too hard its about the same process as zinc. ill look into the whole zinc in gas tank being bad. and cb750ken8 has my idea correct.

[BLUE71TURBO]

  Nickel plate it. Buffed nickel look's bad a$$.     My next frame is gonna be nickel plated.

       http://www.uyemura.com/images/library-10/nickel-plated-pipes-fig8.jpg     

[MasterChief750]

nickel requires special chemicals to do, you can plate nickel with vinegar salt and sugar solution. nickel requires nickel acetate and its some nasty stuff that i dont want to deal with. it would be cool though. im going to test zinc in gasoline later today then i will into larger scale to plate a tank.

[faux fiddy]

Zinc plating is used in a sacrificial role to protect steel (iron).  Instead of iron oxide, you get zinc oxide until the zinc has depleted, then you get iron oxide again.

Plating thickness vs. conversion rate determines the protection level of the base steel.

How will you measure the plating thickness?
How will you determine deterioration rate?

Steel and Aluminum boats and motors use zincs in a marine environment. Protects your hull from galvanic corrosion, different than rust.

Thought about galvi-dip of other stuff automotive,  there's a place that makes chain link real close,

[oldyzracer]

Sacrificial zinc anodes are what keeps steel ships from rusting in salt water - this sounds like a great idea to me. As long as gas doesn't dissolve it or something, way to go masterchief1112! Thanks for posting this - if it works, I'm going to try it myself.

[MasterChief750]

currently plating a penny with zinc then will throw it in a cup of gasoline.

[faux fiddy]

One thing to remember is that when you galvinize something it makes it harder to weld and much more sloppy if you can even do it. Thin metal and all. I would try welding brasing or filling with tin solder before plating.

I'd also use the electrolysis method for cleaning up the rust first, too.

Here it says weld galvanized, but thin takns would ne tricky.

Interesting link- everything about rust, etc.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Rust#Plasma_spray_welding

[wannabridin]

what's the electronegativity effect of gas on steel vs/ gas on zinc?   this would be my main concern with this.  you could try to have it ceramic coated.  they get the inside of pipes easily, i don't see why they couldn't get the inside of a tank?