Oh...NO...Rust in my Gas Tank!!!

[squawk]

So I've read a couple of post about folks re-sealing their gas tanks because of rust.

Can someone please tell me what this involves?
Can you do it yourself?
Is it just a matter of buying some type of solvent and sealer and shaking it all around the inside of the tank?

[wdhewson]

I've been reasonably successful sealing serveral tanks. Read, re-read, understand, and follow the sealant kit directions. Give lots of time for the acid to dissolve rust, and make sure the interior is perfectly dry. I always found it challanging to roll the tank around in all directions for enough time to coat all interior surfces and with a reasonaly even coating.

[Polar_Bus]

Originally Posted by squawk

So I've read a couple of post about folks re-sealing their gas tanks because of rust.

Can someone please tell me what this involves?
Can you do it yourself?
Is it just a matter of buying some type of solvent and sealer and shaking it all around the inside of the tank?

Here is my preffered kit:
Kreem Products - Kreem Combo-Pak



And many others also like:

POR15, Inc. - Stop Rust Permanently - Repair Gas & Fuel Tanks

which ever kit you choose, the difference between a perfect job, and a disaster is simply patients !!!! Do NOT rush the specific steps involved! Otherwise the tank kits are fairly simple.

[NCDave]

I've used POR 15 before with very good results. The key is to take your time and do it right, and it will last just fine.

Expect to take several days to get though all the steps in the process.

[bruce lamoureux]

where do you get pro-15?

[kawpaul]

If you have trouble getting all the rust to dump out you can use a magnet (the kind with a handle for fetching dropped bolts and stuff) and stick it in the hole and shake the tank back and forth and get the rest of the junk out.

[wdhewson]

Magnets are a good idea. I used to have some strong Teflon coated bar magnets that were used for laboratory stirring. The Teflon will allow it to move around easily.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by bruce lamoureux

where do you get pro-15?

Google it. You won't have any problems finding a retailer. There are several different kits you can get so be sure you get the one designed for your application. Probably this one.

CYCLE TANK REPAIR KIT-POR-15 Inc.

[squawk]

How about KBS Coatings?

[650hardtail]

any liner but kreem...its bad whan it starts peeling...ive done 4 tanks w por 15...great after 6mo....

[Tod]

If you're going to be repainting the tank, you might consider taking it to a radiator shop to have it completely washed, and sealed before priming.

[Polar_Bus]

An old skool trick if you have a lot of rust, is to toss in a lot of stone pebbles in the tank, and then just "shake-N-bake" LOL

[Mudbone]

Originally Posted by squawk

So I've read a couple of post about folks re-sealing their gas tanks because of rust.

Can someone please tell me what this involves?
Can you do it yourself?
Is it just a matter of buying some type of solvent and sealer and shaking it all around the inside of the tank?

I just finished the tank on my 1975 900. (Monday Night)

I used POR-15 to seal the tank.

I used MEK and marble gravel to remove the FAILED KREEM!!!! Never again will I put that stuff in anything except the trash!!!!
I used Simple Green to clean after the MEK.
I used EVAPO-RUST to remove the rust. All I can say is - IT IS MAGIC!!!
I followed the EVAPO-RUST with a phosphoric acid etch afterward, but only because the POR-15 called for it.

The POR-15 calls for a 96 hour cure.
I prepared a couple of test coupons along with the tank and last night they were "rock hard".
Time will tell if it is a good product or not, but I already like it better than Kreem!!

This is my first post. I've been lurking for about a month.

Good Luck - It isn't difficult at all.

[herk]

where do you get pro-15?

Just in case you have trouble finding the stuff, it's POR-15, not pro-15.

How about KBS Coatings?

I believe someone here had good luck with it. Search the entire site for KBS.

Originally Posted by 650hardtail

any liner but kreem...its bad whan it starts peeling...

A lot of folks don't like the Kreem kit. A good number of those bad results are most likely from poor preperation or failure to follow the instructions. I lined my tank w it 20+ years ago & it's still instact. The rust wasn't that bad & I did a super duper job of prepping it prior to using the kit. After physically removing what little rust there was, I did a pre-treatment with MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)(from the hardware store - I don't know if they still sell it), then I followed the Kreem instructions to a T.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by Mudbone

I just finished the tank on my 1975 900. (Monday Night)

I used POR-15 to seal the tank.

I used MEK and marble gravel to remove the FAILED KREEM!!!! Never again will I put that stuff in anything except the trash!!!!
I used Simple Green to clean after the MEK.
I used EVAPO-RUST to remove the rust. All I can say is - IT IS MAGIC!!!
I followed the EVAPO-RUST with a phosphoric acid etch afterward, but only because the POR-15 called for it.

The POR-15 calls for a 96 hour cure.
I prepared a couple of test coupons along with the tank and last night they were "rock hard".
Time will tell if it is a good product or not, but I already like it better than Kreem!!

This is my first post. I've been lurking for about a month.

Good Luck - It isn't difficult at all.

Hopefully you'll be good, Mud. I personally think the key to good results is patience and time. Sounds like you did exactly that.

[wdhewson]

I like the old school stone and pebble trick. I put in a handful of sand, half pea sized, pea sized, and double pea sized. Then add a liter or two of water with lots of sodium sulfonate based diswashing liquid. These sulfonates not only clean, but they are powerful rust preventatives. Shake the "stoned tank" in all directions until pretty well dead from fatigue. Then triple that effort.

[vinnye]

You could also use electrolysis to remove the rust.
Remove gas tap (and fuel level sensor if you have one) and "blank off" the hole/s. Use soda crystals to make up a solution - 1 table spoon per litre or so.
Fill tank with electrolyte solution ans put a metal bar into the tank - insulate the end so that it won't short out! Connect red terminal from a battery charger (steady 2 amp charge works good) to your electrode and the black to the tank and leave over night - or as long as you need!
I remove the electrode every now and then to clean the crap off it!

[wdhewson]

Vinnye:

What are soda crystals? Do you know the chemical name so I can be sure? I'm currently bidding on a rusty tank Yamaha from 1979. Thanks.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by wdhewson

Vinnye:

What are soda crystals?

Maybe this will answer your question. Same process used in a different way.

Rust Removal Tip - Video

You can use a wire coat hanger for the rod just be sure to insulate the tip of the rod as well as the portion that goes into the neck of the tank in case those areas of the rod come in contact with the tank. Bend the rod so that it runs from the fill neck back toward the back end of the tank so you get more rod surface into the liquid.

[vinnye]

Soda crystals are a dry form of Sodium Carbonate (decahydrate) that would normally be used as a degreaser / stain remover in clothes washing. Softening of HARD water. Soaking pots and pans with stubborn deposits - especially after my GF has been cooking! Also for removing moss etc on your path!
There is also Baking Soda - used in cooking - but not as effective as the washing Soda crystals.
Hope that helps!