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Author Topic: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?  (Read 1038 times)

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Offline jorwesflow

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About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« on: June 21, 2011, 02:53:35 PM »
I'm having a friend paint my tank, but before i drain it and remove it, what should i put in there (after it's drained) to keep it from flash rusting while he has it for a week?
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Offline Johnie

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2011, 03:32:50 PM »
I did 3 tanks...just drain and you should not have a problem with flash rust.
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Offline WarwickE36

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2011, 03:36:58 PM »
Leave 1/4 of a gallon or so of gas in the tank ...add a splash of marvel mystery oil (slosh it around) then drain....if your really nervous about it
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Offline Gordon

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2011, 09:45:25 PM »
It's only going to be empty for a week.  Don't worry about it.  Flash rust is only an issue when the surface has been stripped clean either mechanically or chemically.  The inside of your tank is already coated with a very thin layer of corrosion and varnish that will keep further rust at bay for much longer than one week. 

Think about it this way.  You don't keep your tank completely full all the time do you?  The top portion of the inside of your tank is exposed to air most of the time, but it's still fine. 
« Last Edit: June 21, 2011, 09:47:24 PM by Gordon »
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Offline jorwesflow

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2011, 09:26:59 AM »
ok, thanks guys. i've never done it before and i guess it's not as big of a deal as i thought. i just remember cleaning rust out of the tank out last year with muriatic acid, which worked great, but then being able to literally watch the rust form after rinsing. I couldn't get the gas in quick enough. But i take it once the gas is in and everything is coated, everything's fine when you go to drain. thanks again!
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Offline Vintage Esquire

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2011, 09:37:31 AM »
My only other thought is that you may want to clean the inside of the tank PRIOR to having it painted.  I went to Home Depot and purchased a gallon of phosphoric acid for about $15.  Slosh it around the inside of your tank for 3 minutes, dump out, and repeat.  All of the rust in your tank will be gone and you won't have to worry about etching or damaging your new paint job later.
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Offline gnarlycharlie4u

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2011, 10:38:32 AM »
Quote from: Vintage Esquire on June 22, 2011, 09:37:31 AM
My only other thought is that you may want to clean the inside of the tank PRIOR to having it painted.  I went to Home Depot and purchased a gallon of phosphoric acid for about $15.  Slosh it around the inside of your tank for 3 minutes, dump out, and repeat.  All of the rust in your tank will be gone and you won't have to worry about etching or damaging your new paint job later.

this will cause flash rusting unless you get the stuff that has a rust inhibitor built in. also if you do this you'll probably have to line the tank to prevent rusting.
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Offline cafe400f

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2011, 10:39:17 AM »
I cleaned mine and sealed it before painting.  Used the KBS kit, which cleans, removes the rust and then permanently coats it.  I figured I might as well seal it and never have to worry about it again, no rust no fuss.

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/cycle-tank-sealer-kit.html
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Offline Gordon

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2011, 10:45:54 AM »
Many here, including me, recommend against lining the inside of the tank unless you're repairing a tank that has significant rust problems.  These tanks, if not mistreated and abused, will last (and have lasted) decades in their raw form. 

IMO, lining a tank as a preventative measure is like wearing a cast on your arm to keep from breaking it.  Sure it will work, but it may cause other problems down the line. 
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Offline Accolay

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2011, 01:08:53 PM »
If you decide to use anything with acid to clean the tank, just make sure you don't forget to remove the plastic gas strainer with the petcock like, uh....a good friend of mine did...yeah.
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Offline gnarlycharlie4u

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Re: About to pull tank for paint job, tips before draining?
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2011, 02:39:54 PM »
Quote from: Accolay on June 22, 2011, 01:08:53 PM
If you decide to use anything with acid to clean the tank, just make sure you don't forget to remove the plastic gas strainer with the petcock like, uh....a good friend of mine did...yeah.

haha whoops. what about those rubber gromets... how'd they hold up?
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