Rust in Tank

So my Original tank has been having problems for a few years now. It's been rusting/leaking around the lower side corners. I had it cleaned and coated but the coating never made it to the lower parts and it rusted through again.
I had it repaired but after all that the tank is dented and scratched and the inside is still not rust free.

I got a used tank off Ebay. It is in very good condition. Outside looks great.
The inside is a little rusty but from what I can see....not as bad as my current one.

I could hear rust inside the tank....sounds almost like a bit of sand. But with the design of the Gas tank....there is no way to get any debris out.

I took it to a rad shop that a local biker guy recommended. They said they'd flush out the tank for me and come pick it up the next day.

When I went to pick it up they told me that the design of the tank is preventing them from flushing out all the debris and though they loosened more rust there's no way to get it out without cutting it open.
They apologized and charged me nothing. (Since nothing got done)

I'm being told that the only fix for this is to cut open the tank and clean it out. :frown:

 

Slowbird:

Google "Evapo-Rust" and "Rusteco".

I have been, or am having work done to an 1984 Ninja 900 and the tank is a little rusty inside. I've read nothing but good things about these products. I recommend their use on your newer gas tank and just take you old tank off.

Their are companies you can send the tank to and for 300 bucks they cut it open, clean it out and clean it up, then weld it back together, but you have to reapint your tank.

BZ

 

Thanks BZ.....I will try that stuff right away. Good thing it seems local to Canada too :-D

But I am still unsure how I will be able to get all the product and dissolved rust OUT of the tank....it's hard even getting old gas out.

 

You wrote your newer tank was in good condition, or better condition?

Just plug the petcock hole and filler up, let it sit in their for the alloted time then wash the tank out the a garden hose...swishing water around inside and letting it drain?

I recommend doing that and getting as much of the water out then let the tank sit in the sun on a hot day or take a hair dryer and shove it into the gas tank opening and force dry the tank. Don't walk away though in case something goes awry with the hairdryer LOL!

BZ

 

The "new" tank is in better condition than my original. But when you shake the "new" tank you can hear rust particles inside.

Your method sounds good....just gotta figure out ordering this stuff. Website seems old.

 

I've used a 2/3 vinegar/water mix to clean out rusty tanks before. It can take a few days but it works like a charm. I rinse with water and then denatured alcohol. Try to get it as dry as possible. A little git of whatever left over won't hurt anything as long as you fill it full of gas before using it. The best thing to do after cleaning would be to use POR-15 to seal the tank. I've never used the product but it's probably the most recommended tank sealer out there right now.

-Jake

 

I can't imagine trying to seal the tank on the VF500 when it is nearly impossible to get anything (including liquids) completely out of the tank.

 

Nothing is impossible. You use this word to much. It may take some time and/or creativity but I've gotten my tanks to dry out. As for sealing, a few stray rust particles aren't going to hurt anything.

-Jake

 

Have you thought about Electrolytic Rust Removal ?? It should be pretty easy to put together your own little setup using a battery charger, some sodium carbonate (aka washing soda), and some other common household parts. I've included a few good link below with some basic info. For more detailed info google is your friend.

www.ott-motorcycles.ca/index.php?topic=45030.0

http://www.altelco.net/~jacil/clay/motorcycle/KElecSetup.html

Regards,
Rollin

 

Thanks Rollin,

I recall someone on this board talking about this method. The problem I am having is that the VF500 tank has a plate a few inches under the gas cap.....so I'd have to really bend the (coat hanger I guess) in order to make sure it doesn't touch the tank.

Will the Electrolysis method grab all the loose rust particles floating around in there?

My other problem is that I don't really have the spare time. I'm at work from 10-10 almost everyday.

I'm going to try and order that Evapo-Rust stuff and then maybe try the above process.

 

Muriatic acid does a good job. You can dilute it down some and dont let it sit too long...

 

Some people have used the vinegar method with success, plus with vinegar disposal is not a big issue.

 

So a local gas tank place flushed the tank out for me. The whole day I couldn't hear any rust rattling around inside the tank, but the next day I could hear the rust in there again.
I figured that the stuff they used to "flush" the tank made some of it stick inside and when it was dry the rust loosened up again.

I pulled a bunch of the loose rust out of the tank with a Magnetic Pickup tool


I wait and see if more rust falls or what.

I wanted to try the DIY Electrolysis method but I can't find the Washing Soda anywhere....and anything that has Sodium Carbonate also has other crap in it to.
Also bending any metal or coat hangers into the tank without touching the inside is hard!

 

I''ve had excellent results using this "Fuel tank sealer" from Plating Kits Electroplating Kits Aluminum Anodizing Kits Powder Coating Systems Metal Polishing And Buffing Supplies - Caswell Inc.

A rock-hard epoxy, about $40 shipped, easy to use.

>>>>>>>>>>>>


>>>>>Sorry if this sounds like a commercial; i just like and trust the product<<<<<<<<<<<:behindthesofa:

 

This one?
Caswell Inc. - Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer

 

Well the Evapo-Rust arrived. Will get started on rinsing out the tank tonight.

 

if you have a shop vac take a piece of flexible tubing. (Clear tubing) and ductape it to the end of your vac hose...pull your petcock out and slurp all that junk out.....for the other side stick it down the fill hole......

 

LOL......you know. I tried this. Got some vacuum tubing...attached it to the tube attachment to my Vacuum. Taped it all up to be sealed and then tried. Suction wasn't too great. Couldn't pull anything up.

That's when I started using the Magnetic pickup tool.

I figure (and hope) that I full the tank up with this Evapo-Rust stuff....let it sit.....then drain and let it dry.....hope for the best.

Bubba? Any tips for using the Evapo Rust?

 

i work for a company that chemically dip tanks we can gtet the rust out. but i will take the paint of to. but it will look like new metal. the company name is American metal cleaning. ph#503-283-4111 site- American Metal Cleaning & Paint Stripping check site for pics

hope that helps

 

Thanks but the paint is soooo good on this tank I need to try stuff the won't harm the paint.