Topic: Any tricks for removing tank lining?

[Jonesy]

I saw in another post something about using acetone to remove an old Kreem lining from a gas tank. I'm about to undertake this project myself. Anyone found a good solvent for removing Kreem lining? Any other tricks? I'm going with a POR-15 kit as a replacement.

[Bob Wessner]

Dan,

Found this earlier post on Kreem removal, can't vouch for it though but poster says it worked.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=7848.0

[Uncle Ernie]

I would contact the friendly folks at Kreem to see what they say.

[Bob Wessner]

I would contact the friendly folks at Kreem to see what they say.

Just make sure you tell them you plan to re-Kreem it. 

[pwright]

I tried the MEK method on a Kreemed tank a couple weeks back... threw some nuts and bolts in it to help abrade the liner when shaken. I believe MEK is similar to acetone, just has a slower evaporation rate.

First off, MEK is some nasty stuff. It did dissolve the liner rather quickly, but left a gooey mess inside the tank... I flushed with water and put more MEK in... all this was done in a large plastic tub. I could have probably gotten it all out if I was patient, but I had already spent $16 on MEK and another $12 on a large plastic bin and got sick of the process real quick. I found that the liner was soft and pliable when in contact with MEK, but after flushing it with water, it almost instantly became harder and wouldn't just shake out. I had little pieces of liner stuck everywhere inside the tank which I couldnt' get to (mine was on a 78 CB550 tank...) The thing that I found frustrating is that $16 only bought 2 quarts of MEK, so I constantly had to put the tank at different angles and let it sit for a while in each position to cover the whole tank.

Bought a replacement tank off eBay for $50 with absolutely no rust inside (some dents on the exterior but I'm going to do bodywork/repaint anyways). Should have done that in the first place. That said, if your tank is otherwise in really nice shape, or you can't find a cheap replacement... this might be the way to go with some patience... something I really lacked with this messy job. Good luck with whatever you try..

[Terry in Australia]

That MEK is nasty stuff, it's part of the Kreem kit, and when I was swishing it around in a tank a few years ago, a couple of drops flew out and landed on the wife's rear bumper (on her car, smart ass!) which is painted black, and it instantly lifted the paint! Of course, as a non caustic paint stripper, it's very good! Cheers, Terry.

[Bob Wessner]

The MEK/acetone sure does sound like a mess. I wonder what the folks at Kreem would suggest if they could be reached? Otherwise, an eBay tank does sound attractive by comparison, even with some minimal rust inside, that would be easier to remove.

[Jonesy]

Now that I think of it, I remember the Kreem kit saying something about how to remove an old lining if it was Kreemed before... I'll have to check.

This is on an original paint finish tank, so I'd like to keep it.

[Jonesy]

This website says the POR-15 kit's tank cleaner will remove Kreem:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/motorcycle/how_to/mc_tankrust.html

[Tim.]

And this is why KREEM sucks and POR-15 rules 

I used the POR-15 kit on a gorgeous Sunrise Orange 550F tank and it worked like a charm.  Have to be VERY VERY careful with the liner (which is the consistency of paint, not kreem) as once that stuff gets on something, it simply never comes off.

Here's the write-up I did when I used the POR-15 kit last spring.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=1586.0

[putnaja1]

When I used the KREEM kit on an old tank of mine, it worked pretty well- the rust disappeared, and it did indeed coat the tank.  My only beef was, I was hoping for a smooth looking coating of KREEM.  The job I did worked in that it coated the tank, but it kinda had a heavy orange peel look to it.  Is this how it always comes out?  Or did I just not have a perfect result?

Jason