Petrol tank cleaning
- Thread starter ELLIS
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- May 7, 2005
- Messages
- 7,163
Citric acid, easily bought and stored as a powder, add to hot water to use in the tank. I fill to the top and leave for a few days, rinse with water, rinse again with denatured alcohol (Meths in UK) as water is dissolved in it and lastly dry out with hair dryer.
Craig
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 3,461
I used white vinegar in the ct-90 trail tank I’m restoring , after a couple days with occasional shaking came out bright and clean , had been lightly rusted inside ..... once vinegar flushed I used kerosene and swished it around before draining and returning tank to shelf for use later ...
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2008
- Messages
- 59
BIngo! I have been using white or apple cider vinegar for a few years now, it seems to work great. I fixture the tank so it is level, fill it 99% full, and let it go for 2-7 days depending on how bad the tank is. Do not let it go any longer than necessary. I inspect every 24 hours. If a flashlight inspection doesn't satisfy you, you can drain, rinse, inspect and put the vinegar back in if you need another day or two. I filter the vinegar and reuse it. (Coincidence, I've done 3 CT90/CT200 tanks in the last 12-18 months.)
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2008
- Messages
- 59
Well, not really...... the CT's are so basic only basic mechanical/electrical skills are necessary. Parts are plentiful. But fair warning, the bikes are plentiful too, and addictive.... before you know it you will have multiple CT's!!! I'll PM you a couple of my favorite CT90 links.
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2008
- Messages
- 59
For vinegar, strait up, undiluted. I use a strong flashlight to monitor the progress in the tank. I don't let it go any longer than necessary for cleaning, if there is corrosion pitting the vinegar will eventually turn a deep pit into a pinhole! If the tank comes out clean with no evidence of pitting I use as is. If I see evidence of pitting I coat the tank with RedKote. RedKote has done an excellent job sealing leaky seems, for me. Supposedly, it will seal pinholes up to some diameter, I have always repaired pinholes first.
Disclaimer: I have not cleaned or coated a Norton tank.
Tornado
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2017
- Messages
- 4,869
Evaporust/MetalRescue are both good options and use what is called a Chelating agent to chemically reduce (ie reverse of oxidize) the rust back metal. Not an acid and not harmful.
They can be reused many times and dont go bad with storage, so the initial higher cost than other products can go a long way.
They can be reused many times and dont go bad with storage, so the initial higher cost than other products can go a long way.
I bought a 250 cc 1965 Yamaha Big Bear scrambler several years back at the Vintage Japanese swap meet they have over by York Pennsylvania it was all original and looked pretty decent and it even ran. When I got home I looked inside the fuel tank and it looks like someone took several jars of Kraft marshmallows and coated the inside of the tank they must have used Tank Creme . I thought I would try to find something that might remove this stuff but I must say it doesn't leak. I bought another fuel tank for it but I hate to use it because the exterior of the original tank is so nice.
Mark
Shelby-Right
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2022
- Messages
- 746
If using vinegar use the cleaning stuff 9% acetic acid , it worksgood , but for rust on my GL1000 the electrolysis method worked the best , I put a piece of pipe/tube bare steel shinny inside a rubber tube so as not to touch the tank , fill tank with water and washing soda , makes it conductive and hook it up to your battery charger or other power source , neg earth and positive to the steel tube inside the rubber loose fit and only sticking out the top . works fantastic .
lazyeye6
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2014
- Messages
- 1,144
I have used two different phosphoric acid based products to clean rust from the inside of tanks.
1. Ospho
2. Prep & Etch. Amazon product ASIN B00945D15I
This diluted form of phosphoric acid dissolves rust and "pickles" the now bright metal so that it resists
further rusting. These phosphoric acid products are available in any big box store and paint stores.
Usually used to prepare ferrous metals for painting.
Fill tank to the top with product diluted with water. Wait a day and drain. Dry the inside with a bit
or acetone swished about and drain.
1. Ospho
2. Prep & Etch. Amazon product ASIN B00945D15I
This diluted form of phosphoric acid dissolves rust and "pickles" the now bright metal so that it resists
further rusting. These phosphoric acid products are available in any big box store and paint stores.
Usually used to prepare ferrous metals for painting.
Fill tank to the top with product diluted with water. Wait a day and drain. Dry the inside with a bit
or acetone swished about and drain.
Jdub
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2018
- Messages
- 354
I would only add that Caswell's clear tank sealant has done me well over many tanks. Once the tank is fully prepared, with water residue removed, you pour this in and move it around, draining the residual when satisfied and leaving the tank to set. The sealant seals pinholes and prevents rust very nicely.
Always best, just like mounting tires and painting using rattle cans, to do this in warm to hot weather. The viscosity of the sealant should be low but not liquid - the weather can govern this facet of your work.
Always best, just like mounting tires and painting using rattle cans, to do this in warm to hot weather. The viscosity of the sealant should be low but not liquid - the weather can govern this facet of your work.
Craig
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 3,461
Surprisingly , my little shed is climate controlled (heat & A/C) , since last end of July as was trying to get the new to me ‘09 Ducati GT 1000 road worthy after it was left on display for 10 yrs , hot time of year in shed , now I control weather inside
Hi, as an alternative try EC-776. It’s an aerospace fuel tank sealant. Remove taps and tape up the internal threads, pour in 776 and agitate tank to ensure all joints are coated. Allow to dry & you’re GTG.
Works..
- Status
