Kreem removal

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porridgebird

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Hi all! I have a 1972 interstate tank that has a “Kreem” tank liner that is coming apart and causing fuel line issues, blockages. The paint on the tank is in really nice shape so I want to be careful to keep it that way. Does anyone have any experience with this . There’s also some rust. I’ve thought about using acetone or methyl ethyl ketone. It’s supposed to dissolve Kreem and rust but I’m not certain about those approaches. I appreciate any ideas or experiences that are shared. Thanks, Randy. I can send pics of tank later when I get home.
 
you dont say if it is a fiberglass or steel tank. if it is a fiberglass tank dont wast your time or money on it
 
Sorry, the better (correct) answer is -

There is really NO good / safe way to remove Kreem (to the point that the gas tank will ever be 100% trusty) without risking your paint job.
 
Amen to GP's post #4. The paint job is a loss.
And as bill says, post #2, fuggettaboutit if the tank is FG.

Slick
 
If it is the original ‘72 fiberglass tank don’t waste your time cleaning out the Kreem. After several tank coatings failed this is how my original ‘72 fiberglass tank ended up. I tried very hard to make it work.
625DCE17-F90D-4445-BF40-2015C03C7122.jpeg
 
Well, he mentioned rust, so it's a metal tank. I had similar issue with my '73 and had the tank treated with an anode treatment by Classic Bikes Experience in Burlington, VT. Check with them to see if it's still an available service.
 
They did my metal tank for me, worked out fine and I still use their process on my other bikes. Simple electrolysis, safe for paint.
Although if you are careful Phosphoric Acid works very well and is faster though requires more care in the process.
Again METAL tank only. I have two shelf ornaments....glass fibre tanks...sadly coated...
 
This place removes tank liners. Never had personal experience but a buddy had a tank done there and his description was "looked like new" Cost $300. The way I did mine was to buy a plumbing stopper that fit the bung, poured in a gallon of MEK and a box of drywall nails, and strapped it to a horse carriage wheel. Lifted the axle so the wheel was off the ground and pushed an electric motor up against the tread and let it turn for hours. I used to have a video of it but can;t find it now. The tank had decent paint, stock look but wrong pinstripes and wasn't harmed but at the time I was nieve as to the high price of a paint job.
 
I've had good luck using acetone to remove Kreem from several tanks, but it won't do anything for the rust.

Ken
 
Seems there are lots of folks on the google using acetone for Kreem removal from tanks. Most say to leave it in for at least a few days.

Once gone, to address rust there are many options. I've done the bag of fish tank gravel plus hot soapy water plus lots of shaking to get any loose crusty stuff off. Then much rinsing with water hose, the with alcohol or brake cleaner or acetone etc to get the water out. Then i've used MetalRescue/EvapoRust to treat overnight. This stuff converts rust back to metal. Not a harsh acid and non toxic. Can be reused many times on different items. Other options are cleaners white vinegar, cocacola (weak phosphoric acid) or homemade electrolysis. All will work without risking paint.
 
I'm also a fan of EvapoRust to remove rust, but I have had cases where it also removed some of the paint on several car engine parts.

Ken
 
I'm also a fan of EvapoRust to remove rust, but I have had cases where it also removed some of the paint on several car engine parts.

Ken
Hard to understand how a non solvent product like EvapoRust could harm paints. Unless there was underlying rust beneath the paint that was already about to flake off.
 
I can't explain the mechanism of the paint removal, just the fact that it happened. Seems reasonable that it could have been caused by underlying rust, but I have no way of knowing for sure. I was using the EvapoRust in a heated untrasonic bath to prep some cast iron and aluminum parts for painting (from a Studebaker engine :rolleyes:). EvapoRust works much better when it is warm than when cold. The paint seemed to slowly wrinkle around the edges and peel off in small bits.

Ken
 
I've removed tanks sealers numerous times and saved the paint. Kreem is one of the easier ones to remove. I always save old petcocks. take a couple, remove all the filters, and make sure they have a good flow. Make sure the gaskets on them seal, too, Get a test plug at your hardware store that has a nice tight fit on the Commando tank filler hole. Not a bad idea to install the test plug, and flip the tank upside down with petrol still in it. Make certain it has a tight fit. Any leakage will send solvent on to your paint so quick, you won't be able to save it. You need to take extraordinary measures to not get any MEK or acetone on the paint, but it can be done. Work slowly, carefully and I wouldn't go with more than a gallon of these solvents at a time. Just let them do their job and loosen the Kreem. It will turn into a snotty glue like mess, but should run through the petcocks. Just keep at it slowly, and you'll get it all out. Tilt the tank at various angles to get the solvent to hit all areas. I would do the bare minimum on the top surface of the tank. Chances are, the Kreem is thinnest up there. This may seem like a lot of time and expense, but consider the time and expense of getting the tank repainted as well. I did this on a Velocette tank that I think had Petseal in it. Black, tar like stuff that was far worse than Kreem. Saved the very nice paint. You need to round up a decent funnel, come up with ways to carefully pour solvent in, and get it back out. Body shop supply places sell little spout like things that screw onto a gallon metal container, and you don't get the glug, glug, glug thing when you pour from it. Get the tank up on a nice level steady surface, outside and out of the sun. have some sort of rod or screwdriver you can slide up through an open petcock, to get things flowing in case it plugs up while draining it. Another thing I would mention: a lot of retailers won't sell you more than a gallon of MEK or acetone at a time. Meth labs. I have no idea what goes into a meth lab, but these solvents are on the list of items they control the purchase of.
 
This place removes tank liners. Never had personal experience but a buddy had a tank done there and his description was "looked like new" Cost $300. The way I did mine was to buy a plumbing stopper that fit the bung, poured in a gallon of MEK and a box of drywall nails, and strapped it to a horse carriage wheel. Lifted the axle so the wheel was off the ground and pushed an electric motor up against the tread and let it turn for hours. I used to have a video of it but can;t find it now. The tank had decent paint, stock look but wrong pinstripes and wasn't harmed but at the time I was nieve as to the high price of a paint job.
Oh great, so now he needs to run around to find a horse carriage for this job? ;-)
 
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