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Message started by metricman on 03/20/10 at 17:47:34

Title: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by metricman on 03/20/10 at 17:47:34

Step1
Remove the tank from the motorcycle, if necessary. Refer to the owner's manual on how to do this if you have one, if not, you can apply these basic techniques: Unhook any gas lines, or vacuum lines, depending on the brand of motorcycle. Some motorcycles are equipped with fuel valves on the gas tank. If yours has one, you'll need to remove it. Also remove the low fuel sensor, if your motorcycle has one.
Step2
Block all of the holes in the motorcycle tank. You can use a short piece of hose clamped onto the fittings on the tank, and closed off at the end with a bolt.
Step3
Dump the bag of BB's into the motorcycle gas tank and add the 1/2 gallon of diesel fuel. Shake the tank vigorously. The BB's will knock the rust, or any other debris, free and the diesel fuel will keep the particles suspended so that they will dump out.
Step4
Open the gas tank cap and look inside the tank. If it's not clean enough to suit you, resume shaking until the rust is removed to your satisfaction.
Step5
Pour out the diesel fuel and BB mixture. Shake the tank to make sure you have removed all of the BBs. Flush the inside of the tank out thoroughly with gasoline to remove all traces of the diesel fuel. Your tank should now be rust free and ready to put back on the motorcycle.

Things You'll Need:
Small bag of BB's
1/2 gallon diesel fuel
Gasoline

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by kickstartmyheart on 03/22/10 at 12:02:58

When i get a rusty tank on a project i pull the tank remove all lines and go to the paint store and get some DX579 mix about 20% DX579 and 80% water dump it in the tank and add any amount of drywall screws (since they are magnetic and can be removed easily) shake this around usually and hour of shakin with a few smoking breaks and a cold beer will do the trick once you get the rust out rinse with water... make sure you get the inside of the tank dry after rinsing... a hair dryer on low will do the trick. some flash rusting will appear but dont worry get some JEM from the hardware store and put some in the tank and make sure you get it all over the inside and dump out the excess once it drys you shouldnt have any more rust

dx579 can be found at any paint store that sells PPG paint for around 19.00 and JEM can be found at any hardware store.... good luck

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Gort on 03/22/10 at 12:45:03

Here is a lot of discussion on this subject:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1267929971

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by SURAZAL on 03/31/10 at 12:52:44

The lazy way bought a used rusty tank for $10 took every thing off and taped over the holes and put in 2 cups of very corse sand taped that over wrapped in up in a blanket I use in the car and cord tied it in place ... put it in the dry on air dry for 30 mns ... making sure it was tightly stuffed with a 2nd blanket ... went and had a nice cold one ... that baby came out as clean as a new for the cost of scrap sand ...

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by thabrock on 11/13/12 at 06:49:12

I used tap water and bagged ice from the store. I went through 3 bags doing this.

The first tankful looked like a red sludge. It was easy to flush out with the garden hose.

I soaked the tank with distilled vinegar for 3 days after just to get it all.

I know I know, water??? Ice??? but it worked and was clean and easy.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by weracerc on 11/14/12 at 09:44:56

EVAPORUST & POR-15 do it once and be done.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by houstonbofh on 11/24/12 at 18:38:30

I did a tank reconditioning write-up a while back for the Marauder group. Still applies, mostly. Check it out here... http://www.spacerjim.com/Fuel_System_Hygene.txt

Ignore the typos, and sarcasm.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Dave on 11/26/12 at 13:02:59

3F3822242338393538313F570 wrote:

I did a tank reconditioning write-up a while back for the Marauder group. Still applies, mostly. Check it out here... http://www.spacerjim.com/Fuel_System_Hygene.txt

Ignore the typos, and sarcasm.

Do not use Muratic Acid in your tank as this article suggests.....Muratic Acid causes the metal to become brittle (I believe it is hydrogen embrittlement). You can use Phosphoric Acid in steel tanks safely.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by houstonbofh on 11/27/12 at 19:47:35

You are correct, but it will only effect the surface. You are not soaking the entire piece, only the surface and only for a very short time. Essentially it will only dissolve the oxidised metal (rust), and then be removed. Hence the instructions to use LOTS of water, and WD40.

But Phosphoric Acid may work, it just takes longer and more of it. It is also known as Naval Jelly, "Behr Concrete Rust Stain Remover," "Kitchen Kleen Lime Gone," and Kano Labs ExRust. (Check ingrediants before purchase in case they change them...) The Naval Jelly will be harder to remove.

However, and this is a big "However..." It does not remove rust, it converts it to black ferric phosphate. I do not know the effects of ferric phosphate to the fuel system. And no one knows how it will react to whatever they decide to put in the fuel next year... This is also why i do not use coatings like Kream. The Muriatic acid will just leave bare metal.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Gyrobob on 11/28/12 at 07:21:11

292E3432352E2F232E2729410 wrote:

Isn't muriatic acid one of those chemicals that requires extreme care in it's use? I seem to remember some comments in other threads about how dangerous it is. Effective, yes, but much more damaging than naval jelly if mishandled.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Dave on 11/28/12 at 07:25:53

I have moved this topic from the Tech Section to the Rubber Side Down. The Tech Section is reserved for proven repair methods and this one seems to be open for debate and is not really a "HOW TO" that is universally agreed upon. My own experience along this line began with putting drywall screws in the rusty tanks and shaking like mad......and you would be surprised how many drywall screws can get lodged into the narrow seams of the tank....and how long it takes to fish them out with a wire or magnet.

Later I tried Muratic Acid on a few tanks and it worked OK.......but it is not advisable to do this on a tank that has nice paint you want to keep. Muratic acid is a very strong acid, it is used for cleaning the slopped mortar and stains off brick. It comes in a gallon jug sealed in a plastic bag....and it is very concentrated. It is darn nasty and should not be breathed or spilled.....however it is readily available at hardware stores.

Later I found out that Phosporic Acid is a better product for cleaning sheet metal. Most metal prep products that are used to etch metal prior to painting are some form of Phosporic Acid. It still can be harmful to paint.

My most recent find are products like Evaporust that dissolve rust and are completely safe to paint and your hands. This product makes the rust fall off the steel and works great - but it is more expensive than the acids. It can be used over and over until it wears out....then you can just throw it in your yard as it is a good fertilizer.

I also believe that once you have cleaned the tank - it is time to seal it to prevent future rust. I have tried Kreem, Eastwoods product and now POR15 is my sealer of choice as it covers better and makes a nice steely grey tank color.....instead of a chalky white tank interior that the other products have.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by verslagen1 on 11/28/12 at 08:50:27

The inside of my honda tank was coated, if I had done it or knew exactly what it was, I'd recommend it. That tank sat for 20 odd years and as far as I can tell, it's 100% good as new.

as far as the muriatic acid is concerned, wiki states that it's used to "pickle" steel. so I'd expect there's not an issue with using it to de-rust a plain steel tank. But don't use any chlorinated product on any stainless steel as it will cause hydrogen embrittlement.

What I would be concerned with, as well as any acid, is completely removing it from the tank after you're done. The type of welds that are used in our tank would perclude it from this use in my world. For this reason, I'd preferr evaporust. It can be left on the surface as a protectorant. So if it's sealed in a seam, no big deal.

muriatic acid is used to clean pools nation wide. while safe handling is a must, not rocket science. rubber gloves, plenty of ventilation, rinse with plenty of water.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/28/12 at 09:45:49

IF,, thats an IF there,, If my chemistry is right, when Ospho ( Phosphoric dilute) hits iron oxide, it spends its acidity when it turns the oxide to a phosphate. What little would be left in the tank should be rinsed out with plain water & the tank left to dry.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Charon on 11/28/12 at 10:28:25

Just as information, "muriatic acid" is also known as "hydrochloric acid."

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by Dave on 11/28/12 at 10:34:56

I was wrong.....or I just remembered wrong.

The product I used was Rusteco to remove rust from the tank of an old MG, and several motorcycle tanks. It worked great.
http://www.rusteco.com/

I believe Evaporust is probably very similar:
http://www.evaporust.com/evaporust.html#Anchor_buy

And Zep is supposed to make a good product:
http://www.apmengineparts.com/m99535.html

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by youzguyz on 11/28/12 at 11:34:16

I used oxalic acid to clean mine out. Worked pretty darn good.
All kinds of info on different web sites and forums and such.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by houstonbofh on 11/28/12 at 19:37:48

As someone already posted, Muriatic Acid is Hydrochloric acid. Also, battery acid, and stomach acid.

Now as to strong, that has multiple meanings here. There is chemically strong, as in how many free hydrogen atoms are available. And then there is the nasty stuff it can do to you, like some acids that are attracted to calcium and attack bone. Through skin without damaging the skin... Scary.

Now HCL is a relatively strong acid, and is sold relatively concentrated. It can burn things, like clothes and skin. However, it is TOTALLY DILUTED IN WATER. It is also fully reactive with baking soda. That is the beauty and safety of it. Hit it with a hose, or douse it with baking soda, and it is gone. You could even drink the stuff if diluted enough. (NOTE: DO NOT DRINK IT!!!) That full dilution in water is why flushing the tank will get it out of the crevasses and welds.

Also, at least one person said, "let dry." Totally clean steel rusts amazingly fast. That is why I recommend displacing the water instead.

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/28/12 at 19:57:41

"Let Dry",, Yea,, I spose yer right, All the metal that Wasnt Rusted & therefor Not reacted w/ the phosphoric acid, would be invited to rust.
Ive actual;ly considered creating a thin coat of rust on some things, so I could just wipe it with Ospho ( now Jasco, ) & let it turn black.

And then there is the nasty stuff it can do to you, like some acids that are attracted to calcium and attack bone. Through skin without damaging the skin... Scary.

Dooo Whaaaat? Thats more than scary,, can ya point to anything I mite wanna read about that? Ive handled some acids & would like to know what Ive exposed myself to.,

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by houstonbofh on 11/28/12 at 20:18:54

"Dooo Whaaaat? Thats more than scary,, can ya point to anything I mite wanna read about that? Ive handled some acids & would like to know what Ive exposed myself to."

Don't go here if you like to sleep at night...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrofluoric_acid#Health_and_safety

This is just one example. There are more.

For example this one has been used as an antiseptic, and it often used to kill vermin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid#Toxicology

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/28/12 at 23:43:04

Flippin YUKK! I didnt mess with any O that stuff, but thanks, I think,, grossness, dude..

Houston, ehh? I went to Aldine Jr high,,

Title: Re: How To Clean Rust Out A Motorcycle Gas Tank
Post by houstonbofh on 11/29/12 at 17:17:51

7F6066617C7B4A7A4A72606C27150 wrote:

Houston, ehh? I went to Aldine Jr high,,

I won't hold it against you. ;)

And yeah, that other stuff is bad...