Recondition Tank

Hi all. I need some recommendations on
Some one that can remove rust and redo the petcock holes to accept new ones( old one broke off and I can’t remove it) . It’s a steel interstate tank. The paint is in nice shape so I’m trying to spare the paint job but the bottom line is to get the tank in usable condition again. If I sacrifice paint job so be it. Thanks and I appreciate the knowledge and expertise found on this site immensely! Randy

Where are you located?

You can start by using a product called evapo-rust. You can get that at your hardware stores by the gallon.
Did you try using "easy outs" for removing the remainder of the petcock.:


If the metal is soft alloy or brass, i would choose the square type over the spiral.

A 50/50 mix of Acetone and ATF transmission fluid prior to removal would help as a loosening agent to penetrate the rusted holes at the petcocks. Pictures of whats left would help.
Cheers,
Tom

I haven't used them but I've heard and read a lot of good reports on these guys.
They are usually backed up pretty good.
Not sure about the petcock issue.

NickZ said:

Where are you located?

Click to expand...

Birmingham, Al.

Lots of paint friendly methods for de rusting tanks on the google search. Toss in a few cups of loose nuts/bolts or aquarium gravel, shake/rotate tank for as long as you can manage. Have heard some wrapping tanks in a duvet and tumbling in a clothes dryer for an hour or so. Hot soapy water to flush out debris. Then Cleaner grade vineagar, MetalRescue or EvapoRust to convert rust to steel again. There is even electrolysis which can be rigged up at home fairly easily.

For the stuck petcock, ideally heating would help but unless you've got any trace of fuel or vapours out of tank, not wise. EasyOut "taps" should do it. Otherwise drill out (ideally with reverse direction type bit, as it may just catch and force the piece to break free) carefully to near the original bore diameter. This will leave just a thin bit of thread left in the tank thread, which should just pull out easily or might need to run a tap in. Good to go.

Soak the petcock for a day or so in penetrating mix before trying to remove it, if the tank has rust inside then the tap thread will be the same and a easy out should do the trick if you can't get it out after soaking it.

Electrolysis works really great to , I like the KD tools square easy outs they don't exert too much outward pressure .https://www.waihyd.co.nz/kdstraight-flute-screw-extractor-set-1-4-5-8-capacity-1352770

Thanks fellas. These are good ideas. I’ll let you know how it goes!

I have used Metal Rescue with very good results on steel tanks…available in the US on Amazon. You might want to buy a 1/4-19 BSP tap to clean the fuel tap threads.