External Tank Sealer???

[Super350]

I have a metal tank with some very small pin holes. The inside is still fine and I don't want to use a sealer/coater. Im looking for a product I can just apply over the pin holes from the outside.
Let me know what you guys have used and opinions! thanks

[slashfan7964]

If it's leaking and it's only pin holes then you could try Gorilla glue, just apply it where you need it but if it's not leaking and you just want to fix the appearance then bondo will do but you'll probably have to paint over it.

[kb0nly]

Your best bet is to get those pinholes brazed shut, its just gonna leak again. I have tried dozens of products over the years, some would work a bit some would fail right away. Its hard to ask any glue or sealant to stand up to being constantly soaked by gasoline.

If you have any radiator shops around take it to them, otherwise a good welding shop can do it. I generally take them to a local rad and welding shop, they just hit the area with a wire wheel and then braze over the pinholes and check for leaks, after it passes the test i take it home give it a bit of cleanup of the brazed spots with the old flap wheel on the grinder and then sand smooth. Prime and paint and forget about it.

If nothing else at least get it brazed and then just give it a quick spray job of primer and paint to keep it from rusting, you can be cheap on the finish, just don't cheap out on the repair, your only going to be doing it again. I agree with you on avoiding a tank sealer inside, i despise using them!

[oldskool83]

I would want it sealed inside...the crap will get into your carb and engine. Why not go plastic and end all the rusting?

[atc300r]

For external get a tube of Seal-All gas doesnt affect it. Its clear and durable.You can get it at Auto parts stores. its cheap. 180366

[atc500x]

Tin weld,You can weld pinhole without burning all the paint on the tank,and no need to rince the tank 20 time before welding since there is non flame or spark, no braze please!!!!!!

[kb0nly]

I generally soak the tank and clean it out, braze it up, you don't need to rinse forever just dry out and flush with Argon thats what the local welding shop does. That is unless its a total rust rot inside... Then you might want to coat it, but i generally still give it the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment and then repair it, no coating needed, coating just causes more problems.

Where is the pinhole? Back corner? Hows the rest of the interior? There is a lot of factors here but fix it right.

As for plastic tanks... Ughh.. If it they weren't so damn hideous i could suggest one, but they are butt ugly.

[fabiodriven]

If it's leaking and it's only pin holes then you could try Gorilla glue, just apply it where you need it but if it's not leaking and you just want to fix the appearance then bondo will do but you'll probably have to paint over it.

There is no way in hell either of those products would stand up to gasoline.

[jeswinehart]

"I have a metal tank with some very small pin holes. The inside is still fine and I don't want to use a sealer/coater."

The inside ain't no better then the holes on the outside,,,, treat the inside and you will fix the outside.
All 42 thousand "tank sealer" threads/postings aside I will throw this one in the mix.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting Resins&Name=Amazing Casting Resin
Wonderboys 250SX tank is still holding up to regular beating last I knew. Beautiful tank with pin holes both sides all along seams.
he got it to me and I taped of the outside leaking area with regular masking tape and poured half of a 16oz kit in one side and rolled back and forth (warm tank with hair dryer ~ stuff reacts to warmth). Wated 5 minutes and done the other side same way and it was fix'd.
peeled the tape off to reveil many a white dots where pin holes was. I went ahead and flicked off any bubbled pait before hand.
If you order their red dye you can color the A side for a match. Yes, tank has to be dry and it wouldn't hurt to clean it with rubbing alcohol (I didn't but again, would not hurt since it is also very cheap)
Wonderboy, you out there ??? Oh yeah, Hobby Lobby stores sell these small kit from Alumilite (I normally order by the gallon kits for parts making projects direct from them)

[CodyRosa]

I just used jb weld, the putty kind thats like clay. Once it tried in about 30minutes I just sanded it down a little bit. It hasn't failed me yet and its been on there for a year. Just sand it down to bare metal on the hole and put the putty on. Cost 7 bucks where I live.

[ratvespa]

pretty much what jeswinehart said. pinholes are rust from the inside out. I tried JB weld and other still on a big red tank with no luck, it would hold for a season or 2, but was either fighting new leaks or reoccurring leaks.

hands down the best stuff I have ever used is the 2 part epoxy from caswell plating. you can find it on amazon for about 45 bucks. it's a little hard to use and you gotta work quick, bit it can be applied over anything like rust. kreem has been more miss than hit, mostly since the ethanol has gone up in gas.

just do it right unless you want to keep dealing with the problem over and over again.

[Blown 331]

We have used solder. It wasnt easy but it worked.
My very first 3wheeler was an ATC200. Looking in from the top the inside of the tank looked new. But apparently it had developed pin holes in the corners. The previous owner took a screw with a rubber washer and screwed it into the holes. I wouldnt do it, but it worked.

[wonderboy]

Wonderboy, you out there ???

Yup, I'm still here... and so is the SX gastank you fixed for me! The tank is holding strong. How long has it been now? I think it is going on two years with your fix. You definitely salvaged an otherwise unusable tank. I gotta say, I was a bit surprised, but very happy.

[CRAZY70MAN]

Save your money like stated above and use jb weld. Just make sure the surface is shiny,sanded and grease and contaminant free. I used it on a grenaded big red tank and many others. Never had a leak ever. Hell......it's even on my ford focus that I drilled a accidental hole in the gastank....lol.....a whole other story there. The tank needs to be very very clean and dry... Love that stuff!!! I got the industrial size.....lol...

[emmie357]

For external get a tube of Seal-All gas doesnt affect it. Its clear and durable.You can get it at Auto parts stores. its cheap. 180366

This stuff works great. I used it on my truck with great results. Also used it to seal up a leaky petcock gasket on my YTM200.

Another product worth a look may be that new rubber coating in a spray paint can. My local wallmart has some, it believe it's made by rustolem (among other brands). I remember seeing a commercial where they use it to seal broken flowerpots and stuff. It will leave a flat black coat of rubber, not sure, but you can probably paint over it.

I don't know how well it will stick though. I imagine it's gas safe, just like rubber seals, grommets. and hoses on many machines.

[Thorpe]

Hate to be that guy... But... Weld the holes! Replaces rusted steel, with new steel! Then proceed with a in the tank sealer if nessecary....