Cleaning *inside* of an old steel tank

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Much has been made of the fact that when switching from an old FG gas tank to an old steel one, the insides of that old steel tank need considerable prep/de-rusting before adding a protecive layer of Caswell's.

I was considering just dumping 8 oz of traditional jellied rust remover (aka phosphoric acid) into the tank along with another half pound of nuts & bolts and shaking things around for 15 minutes, but everything I've read says this is bad juju.

Then I happened across some writeups in this stuff... "Evapo-Rust"
broken link removed
... which supposedly is not only very effective, but attacks ONLY the rust.

Any one have experience with it -- or other preferred de-rusting methods for tank prep?
 
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From reading the information on Evapo-Rust, it can't hurt. Count the nut's & bolts you put in the tank to loosen the rust scale. When you empty, you'll know you got them all out.
 
I used this product once...it was real good and bio friendly! if you check the latest Classic Bike there is a complete page on how to clean a gas tank...including a cement mixer!!!
Philippe
 
I just thought of another method. Why not use your dryer? Dump a bunch of screws or nails in the tank, use blankets to jam the tank in the dryer and give it some time on a cool setting.

Jean
 
Jeandr said:
I just thought of another method. Why not use your dryer? Dump a bunch of screws or nails in the tank, use blankets to jam the tank in the dryer and give it some time on a cool setting.

Jean

I've heard of a similar setup for rotating the tank when you Caswell it. Insures an even coating. It was more of a multi-axis device but would for for both cleaning and coating.
 
Just do what the Caswell directions tell you to do. It works quite well. I used some drywall screws and Stoddard solvent. After a few minutes of shaking ( some good 70's rock music and a beer help at this point) and the tank was reasonably clean. Caswell states that the tank does not need to be rust free, just knock off the loose stuff. It worked for me.
Tim
 
Best stuff I've ever tried is ZEP Rust Remover available at Home Depot. Something like $12 a gallon. Fill tank, agitate, soak, filter when dumping out, and repeat.

Leaves nice etched metal behind and I've never had a tank get rusty again as long as it was kept full of fuel or coated with oil/WD40/LPS before storage.
 
"some good 70's rock music"

I agree with comment about Caswell instructions but where does one find good '70s rock music, some alternate universe? :)
 
I had these people do a tank years ago.
http://www.rusteco.com/
It worked so good one of the front studs started leaking and I had to have it sealed. :roll:

It appears they now sell their stuff t9o the public.
 
I "won" the steel Commando tank on Ebay a few nights ago. My question was how to re-rust/clean the inside prior to coating\sealing with either Caswell's and/or the POR kit. Based on some of the replies and earlier digging around in the Forum files I went out and picked up some "Evapo-Rust" over lunch yesterday. I took one of my (really, really) badly corroded chromed mounting brackets from my (now dismounted) luggage rack and dunked it into the solution until today about the same time:

Cleaning *inside* of an old steel tank


Needless to say, I'm now a believer.
 
MexicoMike said:
"some good 70's rock music"

I agree with comment about Caswell instructions but where does one find good '70s rock music, some alternate universe? :)


XM40 - Deep Tracks

Sounds like a college radio station circa 1973
 
BillT said:
MexicoMike said:
"some good 70's rock music"

I agree with comment about Caswell instructions but where does one find good '70s rock music, some alternate universe? :)


XM40 - Deep Tracks

Sounds like a college radio station circa 1973

I love it when humor gets lost. :mrgreen:
 
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