Gas tank varnish

JamesJTX · Apr 1, 2018

Finally had some time to work on my 47 Farmall B, thought gas tank was clean but in the sunlight could see good layer of varnish in the bottom of the tank, so all of you that have gone before me what?s the best way to dissolve it ? Thanks for any suggestions/methods.

504 · Apr 1, 2018

E-85 from the gas station. Just fill it and let it set,slosh it around once in a while. When it is clean, save the gas for parts cleaner(no open flames)

jeffcat · Apr 1, 2018

E-85 works great. Be careful cause it will take the paint off. Will take a few days but amazing stuff. CAUTION.... in daylight you can't see the flame. It also stinks really bad. Just use caution. When you are done with it, pour into a couple of empty milk jugs. Place them in your burn pile and step way back till you see them go up. Use as if it were gasoline way out in the yard. Damn stuff will bite you!!!! Not over cautious but just be careful.

JD Seller · Apr 1, 2018

I have had better luck with a muriatic acid solution. Muriatic acid is easy and cheap to find as it is used in masonry work. About any lumber yard or hardware store will have it. Mix it about 1/3 acid 5to 2/3 water.

Crazy Horse · Apr 1, 2018

I would leave it, every old tank I have seen seems to have it and it doesn't seem to go anywhere nor does it cause problems, that's my experience with it anyways. Start adding gunk and a guy never knows what happens.

Richard G. · Apr 1, 2018

Just went through that with 2 tanks. Friend suggested Purple Power.
I poured it in and sloshed it around and let it sit a while and sloshed again.
Rinsed and did it again and poured alcohol in and set up a blower to dry it out.
Looks brand new inside now.
Worked on diesel tank and used it Friday on a gas tank that looked horrible inside.
Clean as a whistle on both.
Very cheap also.
Richard in NW SC

RedMF40 · Apr 1, 2018

(quoted from post at 15:29:48 04/01/18) I would leave it, every old tank I have seen seems to have it and it doesn't seem to go anywhere nor does it cause problems, that's my experience with it anyways. Start adding gunk and a guy never knows what happens.

Have to agree

Waterloo · Apr 1, 2018

I take fuel tanks to the radiator shop to have them boiled out. Then use sloshing compound to coat. Has worked well for several restoration projects.

Mike M · Apr 1, 2018

I have some carb. dip cleaner around. I dump it in the tank. Works good as that is what it is made for. Rinses out with water too.

riveroadrat · Apr 1, 2018

It might keep the bottom of your tank from rusting by leaving it be.

Texasmark1 · Apr 2, 2018

For your salt and pepper, or full salt guys and gals, remember the Cushman Eagle? Had "love eyes" for one when a kid but mom wouldn't have it. Some 20+ years later one pops up for sale locally. Go to investigate. Popped the top on the gas tank and starting about 2" below the fill port, solid, I mean hard, solid, varnish. Real disappointment.

rlp in Co. · Apr 2, 2018

I always wanted one too when I was a kid. There is one in a old barn near me. What do you think I should offer him?

pat sublett · Apr 2, 2018

I had pretty good luck recently with vinegar. Got a case at Wal-Mart, dumped it in and you would be surprised at what drained out.

Texasmark1 · Apr 3, 2018

You can always up your bid......Grin......unless you low ball him, hurt his feelings, and he rejects you as a potential buyer. I'd feel him out, kick the (probably flat and weather checked) tires a few times, HAGGLE a little. I don't have a price....just would be an impulse as a result of how it hit me at the time.

Gas tank varnish

JamesJTX

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504

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jeffcat

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JD Seller

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Crazy Horse

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Richard G.

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RedMF40

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Waterloo

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Mike M

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riveroadrat

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Texasmark1

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rlp in Co.

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pat sublett

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Texasmark1

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