sealing a rusty tank

[up-tyte]

I have some rusty 200x tanks I need to seal or get the rust cleaned out. They don't leak. Any good ideas, what works and what doesn't?

[dcreel]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS391&q=+site:3wheelerworld.com+3wheelerworld.com+Rusty+ tanks

[Yamaha_Rules69]

There are many, many, MANY posts on this exact topic. Do a search at the top right of this screen, and you will find more info than you need. Good luck, and welcome aboard!

[up-tyte]

Thanks, I think I will try the muratic acid, I have some in the shop already.

[tri again]

Thanks, I think I will try the muratic acid, I have some in the shop already.

Do it OUTside and don't breathe the smoke.

Neutral;ize with TONS of water and some baking soda.
They will flashrust almost immediately .

They say it only reacts with iron oxide and will not make new holes but..

If a tank is kept full of gas, it won't/can't rust anymore.

My newest trick is to pressure wash them. Maybe shake a chain around inside to get the big chunks.
Dry them for a few days by the woodstove or hairdryer.
And I mean completely. Maybe even a light rinse with 'heet.'
Blow them out for 10 min with an air compressor to get rid of the rustdust and just keep them full of gas year round.

I've drained them and sprayed with wd or other stuff, hang them in the driest place in the house and they still rust.

POR15 is my other choice. seals pinholes if you have any.

don't forget to remove or otherwise not destroy your fuel shut off pickup tube.

It plugs nicely with the correct size tree branch clipping.

[79fordblake]

May be wrong, but don't a lot of people use Red-Kote after making sure they get all the rust out?

[tri again]

Yes you Are correct.

There are also tons of stories about how to reMove the coating
when it separates from the inside of the tank.

I just hate rusted tanks and the trouble they cause with a nice clean carb.

For all the aggravation and cost, I think a radiator shop
professional cleaning and 'sealing' would almost be cheaper.

If they don't leak (yet) keeping them full is the best advice I've gotten.

This is one topic that I wish had an easy answer.

[up-tyte]

The muratic acid did the job. Used about a 50/50 mix with hot water and some drywall screws. Only mixed about a gal total and just kept shaking the tank and setting it on different sides, about 2 hrs per tank. Even cleaned the 1977 90 tank that hasn't seen gas in about 20 years. Going to seal with Red-Kote this weekend.