Removing rust in a mc gas tank.

[sswee]

The usual for acids, black rubber gloves, eye protection and have a garden hose or someway to flush if it splatters on you. The muriatic I get is about the same as battery acid if you get it on you. You don't want to palm the fill hole and stick a finger in the pitcock hole bare handed to rotate the tank all around. No shorts or flip flops.

[jimcarry]

Originally Posted by artmusic247

I wish you folks would of told me that it desolves metal before I used it, I thought that someone stole my gas tank! Just kidding. I'm going to be looking around for muriatic acid this weekend. What kind of skin protection should I be using when working with muriatic acid?
Thanks again for the help, Dean.

should be able to buy the acid at your local pool supply or Hardware store

[artmusic247]

Thanks for all your help. Dean.

[mcaswell]

Dean:

If you use our tank sealer, there's no need to remove the rust first. It actually prefers to adhere to a rusty tank than a smooth tank.

Before coating, tank and handful of nuts and bolts, and some lacquer thinner and shake them around in the tank. This will dislodge any large particles of loose rust. Then let it dry and then use the sealer.

[jrow]

Rust Removal using Electrolysis.

Try this site, it might save you some time and be less toxic!

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

John

[artmusic247]

Aloha,
Jrow, thanks for the link. I think I'll try that method. Better for the environment.
Dean.

[jrow]

artmusic247,

Let us know how you make out. I haven't set up my tank yet but intend to do so in the very near future!

John

[seanc]

Electrolysis works REAL good. I've been using it for about 2 years now, on larger, heavily rusted parts. If parts are too small to wire up for current, that's when I use muriatic acid.

Electrolyzed parts will flash rust VERY quickly. Rinse & dry immediately after pulling out of the tank, and if you don't plan to plate/coat/paint the part right away, shoot it with WD-40 or something similar, to keep the surface rust away.

Sean

[BerkelUSA]

Draino with Lye and a gallon of hot water.. Wear gloves and NEVER seal the tank off.. (you will feel it generating heat), If it will take the rust-flakes off the inside of an old radiator it will do the same for a tank..

Then again there is the Molasses way.. (research that one as yes it works)

or reverse electrolysis from the inside?

WARNING: If your petcock on that tank is aluminum and you use muriatic expect it to be destroyed.. and the fumes can kill you..

Ever drop an aluminum carburetor in a coffe can of muriatic acid at the junkyard and leave it inside a car in the sun on a hot day?

When you return an hour later the interior may "look" good, but it crumbles when you touch it..

Rob

[mcaswell]

All of the techniques posted here using chemicals are generally totally unneccesary and will probably cause you or the tank great harm.

Our standard technique, using drywall screws to remove the flaking rust by shaking and rinsing the tank with lacquer thinner to remove oils, is the least invasive system.

Our Gas Tank Sealer will totally encapsulate the inside of the tank, preventing any further deterioration.