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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> what is the best way to clean rust out of a tank
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Message started by nchristian on 08/06/15 at 13:07:23

Title: what is the best way to clean rust out of a tank
Post by nchristian on 08/06/15 at 13:07:23

So my 87 savage with 13,000 miles on it has been acting up lately. I've come to the decision to buy a new petcock and clean the rusty tanks. What is the best way I can go about doing this?

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by 1st2know on 08/06/15 at 17:51:49

I used aquarium gravel with distilled water.

All of my rust was up top, from what I could tell. The bike had been sitting wet for over three years with just over reserve.

I took off the petcock, speedo and gas cap. I taped up the petcock hole with masking tape. Poured about 1 1/2 cups of gravel in the tank, and a gallon of water.

I swirled that around in the tank for about 20 minutes.
Emptied the tank in to a bucket, then rinsed and rinsed.

Once I was convinced I got all the gravel(and sand) out, used compressed air to chase out as much moisture as I could.

I let it dry over night. Put it back together and filled it with gas.

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by Dave on 08/06/15 at 19:02:43

This is how I do it.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1386849349

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/06/15 at 20:59:25

If it's just kinda stained, no flakes, Ospho will turn it from iron oxide to iron phosphate. Very low hassle, ten dollars,
Liquid, not gel. Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, dilute phosphoric acid.
I think it's got a different name now, but I keep a quart in the shop at all times. Like Brylcreme, a little dab'll do ya,,,

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by Kris01 on 08/06/15 at 21:24:13

Naval Jelly is phosphoric acid. Great stuff for rust. You can't let it dry though.

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by Kris01 on 08/06/15 at 21:26:12

I've heard of people putting sheetrock screws in their tank and wrapping it in blankets. Throw it in the dryer (no heat!) and let it tumble for a while.

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by NCSUindy09 on 08/07/15 at 09:27:12

I used a nice heavy chain and some gasoline and shook it. Just make sure you have a tool around that can reach the chain to pull it out. It'll also be a tangled mess. Coat it with something if you're trying to never deal with all that again.

I installed an in-line fuel filter and that has solved all my dirty carb and stuck float problems. Plus the chrome on the filter is shinier than any other part on my bike... ;D

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by Kris01 on 08/07/15 at 11:10:27

Just FYI, some people have reported fuel flow problems with using a fuel filter. It restricts flow too much.

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by nchristian on 08/10/15 at 08:12:38

where can i find that in line fuel filter. Also there are a lot of flakes i hear at the bottom when the tank is empty what should i use

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by Dave on 08/10/15 at 08:42:14

7578736972686F727A751B0 wrote:

where can i find that in line fuel filter. Also there are a lot of flakes i hear at the bottom when the tank is empty what should i use

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1386849349

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1211846392

Title: Re: what is the best way to clean rust out of a ta
Post by MnSpring on 08/10/15 at 18:05:09

In small metal, really rusty, gas tanks.
Success comes from, taking out/off the parts connected.
Filling the tank, with about 1/4, ‘Crushed Walnut hulls’,
(Go to a pet-mart, look at, ‘Reptile’ bedding’.)
Or a clean, ’sand’, with about 1/2 water, and just a 1/4 oz of any soap, dish-washing soap.
Or MANY, of the fancy, ceramic rods, but only if you have them,
(do NOT got out and buy them for the one thing)

Seal up the tank, Wrap in Blankets, secure in a elect Cement Mixer,
(Or cloths Dryer)
And let it tumble. The longer the better.
May take a day, or a hour.
The point is, the, ’Tank’, is secure, the stuff inside moves around to all parts of inside the tank.

Now, clean, then clean again, then clean again, then dry.

The inside may be, ’Shiny’, or may be, just a Little stained.
(Depends on what you used, and the time)

Now use it, the teeny tinny, pieces of rust, most likely, will just run right through.
Or put a, ‘filter’ on, just for a, ’Belt & Suspenders’

That’s the cheep way.

The fancy, way, Spend Lots of Money !