Time of year for cider.......in my tank that is.

[ericmreimer]

So my "parts bike" had a decent tank except the cap and inside was all rusted. So following the norm I went to a searchin'. Found a lot of people using apple cider vinegar to eat out the rust, I figured WTH, lets give it a try.

I pored some small bolts and gravel into it and shook the heck out of it for about 5 minutes or so.
Then used the shop vac to suck everything out.
Then I pored in 3 gallons and its contently soaking. I set it on a board to put it on a incline. I think I'm going to let it go until tomorrow.


I've already bought a NOS cap on line and new pet cock that are on their way. As soon as I get the the inside taken care of, its off to get painted. I'm having my buddy shoot it, put the new decals I just got on and them clear over the whole thing.

Here are a ton of pictures of the before condition.

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[just ben]

and you have a gallon left for French fries!

[NO-SCALES]

Is it good for the caps too. I have 3 that will not let air in ,, might have to let one soak in some and see it helps

[kb0nly]

It will do the job for sure on that tank! I have done a few now works great every time.

As for the caps, sometimes, if you soak them upside down in a bucket of it for a few days they can sometimes free back up.

[ericmreimer]

So this is where I'm at. clean tank but now I have a pin hole. So do you guys think this can be fixed?

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[Kasper1974]

I've fixed small holes like that before. Since you are gettimg it painted I would go ahead and strip it and make sure there are no ther areas that may be ready to break thru. You can have a "good" welder fill the holes or cut those areas out and patch them with new metal.

[90guy]

Yup you could fix it! The welders out here at work and did an awesome job on his and he had a lot of holes! They just braced it back together!

[kb0nly]

I have fixed holes like that many times, but the best way to do it, in my opinion, is brazing not welding.

Got any radiator shops around you? Those guys are usually the ones to take it to. They can braze it, check for leaks, etc. I got a shop here that i take stuff like that to, after he is done a little cleanup with the flap wheel on my grinder and a light sanding and then its ready for primer and paint.

[Dirtcrasher]

^ I agree, I have braised pinholes and cracks before with success.

That apple cider vinegar did a pretty damn good job! I bought some of that awhile back for my cats. Suppose to help allot of ailments.......