Cleaning a fuel tank with acid--non political please!

Anonymous-0 · Feb 14, 2009

Yesterday I used muradic acid to clean a fuel tank, Totaly unbelievable results in a hr or less. It looks better than the day it was made. I've used sand blasters, cement mixers, vinager, rocks & bolts over the last fourty years with decent results. Never again will I mess with the other stuff.

I know this issue has been addressed before, but my skills for finding things isn't my strong point at all.

So once I get it clean and I drain the liquid out, how do I keep the tank from flash rusting? I keep thinking of Phosperic acid, but I'm not sure.

Has anyone had any problems with Red coat for coating the tank after cleaning?

I'm also hoping this doesn't turn into a political post as most of them do. Just kiddin

Thanks everyone, maybe I will remember where I left my memory some day.

North East Iowa

glennster · Feb 14, 2009

the last time i did a fuel tank, after it was cleaned, then flushed with water, acetone was the next step to rinse the tank. the instructions were with the tank liner kit. i think there were two rinsings with acetone, then m.e.k. (methyl ethyl ketone) ace hardware has the acetone and mek. from there the tank was blown out with an air hose, then the liner installed. i put a brass plug in the fuel outlet to keep the threads clean, remove it before the liner drys.

richardp3 · Feb 14, 2009

Last tank I did I picked up a gallong of Zepp's Metal Prep Rust Remover from Home Depot for $16. It has no toxis fumes like muratic acid and cleans up with water. Put a quarrt at a time in the tank along with a 6ft length of chain, swish around and rinse. Did this twice and the chain and tank came clean like a new nickel. Then I used a quart of MAC RSP22A epoxy tank sealer on it. I got it from some online Antique Restoration site for about $25. Tank is good as new.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 14, 2009

Yes you could get a qt of RED COTE from T.H.E. Company in MT.Pleasant and seal it or why not just take a qt of oil and coat with that until you get ready for gas.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 14, 2009

I've found muratic acid will defiantly get a rusty tank clean. The only problem is the flash rusting after. A liner will take care of it. I have switched to phosphoric acid instead. It is a little milder and doesn't flash rust as bad. After getting the tank cleaned I found E-85 gas will rinse the acid out without adding water to it to rinse it. After a couple of rinses with the E-85, I coat it with oil until I put gas in. They have been working great for me this way. The acid is mixed 50-50 and I got it at Home Depot.

bc · Feb 14, 2009

(quoted from post at 08:51:25 02/14/09) Yesterday I used muradic acid to clean a fuel tank, Totaly unbelievable results in a hr or less. It looks better than the day it was made. I've used sand blasters, cement mixers, vinager, rocks & bolts over the last fourty years with decent results. Never again will I mess with the other stuff.

I know this issue has been addressed before, but my skills for finding things isn't my strong point at all.

So once I get it clean and I drain the liquid out, how do I keep the tank from flash rusting? I keep thinking of Phosperic acid, but I'm not sure.

Has anyone had any problems with Red coat for coating the tank after cleaning?

I'm also hoping this doesn't turn into a political post as most of them do. Just kiddin

Thanks everyone, maybe I will remember where I left my memory some day.

North East Iowa

I did mine while sitting on the tractor. 2 gals of muratic acid diluted with water to the top. I didn't add the water until the bottom got a good straight acid shot for a few hours. Left it all in there for a day or so. Was told it might melt the tank but no such problem.

Found some of that stuff at home depot, mixed it with water and left it for a while.

Then sprayed it all down with wd40. Was told that it coats the tank and helps stop the flash rusting.

1 year later I still have some rust showing up. The tank has a baffle and I can't get behind the baffle to treat it with the wd.

Lots of stuff on the internet and this site about this. I read somewhere and forgot that TSC carries some product that has a high content of phospheric acid and cheaper than the home depot stuff. I can't find it though.

Walt Davies · Feb 14, 2009

Maybe if you call your Congressman and get some help from the new Stimulus Bill, I heard they are helping everyone so why not us guys. Giggle (Joke)
I have been listening to that BS all morning and all I see is the rich are going to get richer building new projects and we get $13 a week big deal.
Hey don't respond I'm just blowing off here.
Walt

greygoat · Feb 16, 2009

The local NAPA is selling a tank cleaning kit
for $50. Has 3 quarts. 1 of cleaner--looks like
acid, 1 of neutralizer clearly labeled M.E.K
(Methel, ethyel, keytone),one of a sealer that
coats the tank after it's cleaned.

Cleaning a fuel tank with acid--non political please!

Anonymous-0

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glennster

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richardp3

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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bc

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Walt Davies

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greygoat

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