85 Honda 250SX tank sealing is flaking

[TrickShot]

Greetings All, I recently got a cheap tank that was in bad shape paint wise, Have just started the process of sanding down the tank so can be primed and painted to improve it's current condition. The tank was already sealed/lined when I got it. While working with the tank I noticed that some of the sealing is flaking off inside, at least by the cap that I can tell now. So question is, should I try to remove the old sealing in the tank or would it ok resealing over the existing sealer? Have read threads mentioning using bb's or nuts inside and shaking it or using the acid for rust removal, but nothing with tanks already sealed. I'm not sure what kind sealer was previously used in the tank so figured I'd ask the Pros for any tricks or tips on what to do about it. Thanks

[Tecate Karl]

I would use bb's nuts or even clean rocks to break up all the lose coating then reseal it it should be good

[dksix]

Putting another coating of sealer isn't going to change the lack of adhesion of the first coating. I don't know how you'll be able to get the sealant out of the tank but until you do I'd bet you're just adding to the problem with anything you put on top of it. It would be like putting a new coat of paint over a flaking coat of paint, if the base coat doesn't stick to the substrate it doesn't matter how well coat 2 sticks to coat 1. Good luck but I'm afraid until you get the inside of the tank clean and completely rust free you're only going to have problems.

[jays375]

Looks like Kreem.Dump in Acetone and let it sit.

[Ironbnder]

I have the same problem with a 350x that had Kreem in it. I hope someone chimes in that has conquered this problem already. I will be watching. Thanks for the thread.

[1grindking]

i sand blasted the in side of a tank that had rust real bad... it did a really good job but i couldnt get to the top & there wasnt any sealer in it? so ya could try that & just hope the sealer that is in your tank adheared better up there & recoat with por15
maybe you could rig up something on the blaster nossle that would hook or go around corners then ya could stick it in & it would do the top side of your tank too? im just brain storming so this might wrk or might not?

[TrickShot]

I got my pick set out and dug around on the inside and the rest seems solid as I can't dig any off, so am thinking it's just around the cap area, maybe it wasn't cleaned enough before it was put on before. Sandblasting would be great if could rig something to get it all blasted out. None the less will still put some objects inside it and shake it like crazy, with hopes if anything is loose parts get knocked off before resealing it. Will have to search around if anything will dissolve it, with out damaging the metal. Thanks for the info, if any other ideas come about will be interested in them as well.

[oldskool83]

best wat to fix that is buy a plsatic tank for 100 bucks on ebay...i hate metal tanks

[1grindking]

after i blasted inside i just used a vacuum & an air compressor also when you reseal they have ya rinse out the tank with chemicals & water 1st any way? do ya know what kind of sealer your gona use? i like por15 & had a couple other guys swear by it


(best wat to fix that is buy a plsatic tank for 100 bucks on ebay...i hate metal tanks) lol now how is that keepin it oldschool lol

[DirtDevil]

TrickShot, are you sitting in a school bus in those pics?:D

[TrickShot]

after i blasted inside i just used a vacuum & an air compressor also when you reseal they have ya rinse out the tank with chemicals & water 1st any way? do ya know what kind of sealer your gona use? i like por15 & had a couple other guys swear by it


(best wat to fix that is buy a plsatic tank for 100 bucks on ebay...i hate metal tanks) lol now how is that keepin it oldschool lol

I haven't decided on what to use to reseal/reline the tank. I haven't done that before, so I have some reading and research to do before deciding on that. I'm still working on getting the paint off, it has a few small holes and dents but nothing that can't be repaired. I started off with sandpaper but have recently upgraded to a drill and wire wheel. Honda sure did a killer job on this tank cause that paint is reluctant come off.

Personally I like the metal tanks myself, gives a nice look and feel to the trike, even if a some work is involved to get them repaired.



TrickShot, are you sitting in a school bus in those pics?:D

No, not sitting in a bus, but sorta close. I drive an 18wheeler, so with being away from home, I might as well bring some work I can do with me. :lol:

[RiJiD-WILL]

this works 100% for your situation. Get Naval Jelly I got it from Ace hardware my town doesnt have much shopping choices you should be able to find it anywhere mix half a bottle with water for one tank let it sit over night I like to rotate the tank every hour or so. then rinse and dry you should have a nice phosphorus coating on the inside ready for a good tank sealer.

this is the best bar none!! http://www.kbs-coatings.com/Gold-Standard-Tank-Sealer_p_30.html

they have their own cleaning system but you gotta buy some aquaclean crap for the first step then rust blast for the second step (NAVAL jelly).
then sealer is meant to clean up kreem and POR screwupps for the final step once the Gold standard is dry youre set I have not read one bad thing about it and my experience using it is, well obviously I am giving a good report on it!!

[coolpool]

Sanding while driving. Love to see that ticket! lol. The coating job looks like crap IMO. I would, and have used POR15 with good success.

[jays375]

I think even paint stripper will remove the Kreem or MEK.Do some checking up on Caswell tank sealer.You can put duct tape over your holes and remove when cured and the hole is fixed.Plus you can do about two tanks with the amount given.Just make sure to mix correctly.Also a heatgun to warm up the tank to get it to flow around works well.

[Dirtcrasher]

That Kreem looks like it was rotated enough or thickened to fast, the coating varies in thickness. I've seen Kreem pull away before.

I wear goggles and use muriatic acid and every drop of rust comes out. I immediately hit it with some acetone and then seal it, I used Redcote but I'm using Por-15 on the next one.....