Tank rust

[psychogirl]

Hi guys,
what's the best way to treat my tank? It's got rust on the inside.

[DogsbolloxofZ1B]

To a new one

Couldn't resist.

[ADRIAN H]

Depends on how much rust. I would try and avoid tank liners, as you dont know how they are going to react to ethanol.

I try clean the inside with sharp aggregate / gravel, water and detergent, then rinsed out. Next step fill the tank with coca cola and Harpic limescale remover leave for a week (3 to 1) Rinse with water first then Petrol.

I have heard of people using Brick cleaner, from B&Q.

Alternatively you could try electrolysis technique. From another forum -
No acids and only removes rust, no metal. You can look the method up on t'internet but briefly you make an anode I used a steel coat hanger but make sure you remove the varnish from the hanger. Get a suitably sized plastic cap which fits your filler neck. Put a hole in the centre of the top to take screwed steel rod and drill a couple of vent holes in the top of the cap ( an aerosol top did it for me). Fix a length of coat hanger to the rod using a couple of steel nuts and the rod the cap with another couple of nuts and washers. Fiddle around with this assembly so [B]that you can get it deep into the tank WITHOUT ANY OF IT TOUCHING THE TANK The plastic cap insulates the rod and hanger from the tank. Remove your fuel taps and plug the holes. Fill the tank with a solution of washing soda one tablespoon to the gallon. Refit your assembly making sure no metal part of it touches the tanlk. Connect the POSITIVE of a battery charger to the assembly and the NEGATIVE to a suitably bare metal part of the tank (rear mounting bracket?). Put the battery charger on trickle charge. A charger with an ammeter is best so that you can see the current draw.
Rust will collect on the coat hanger leaving sound tank metal behind. This method will not remove sound metal. You will need to clean the coat hanger and you might have to replace it as it is a sacrificial anode. This is not a quick method but is very safe as far as the tank is concerned. Whatever you do make sure you connect up as described. If you reverse polarity you WILL dissolve your tank.

As the tank derusts,the solution will go brown and the anode will collect an amazing amount of crud and you may have to change the solution after a couple of days. When your tank is clean, flush it thoroughly, empty it and dry it straight away because it will flash rust if not dried immediately. Now you can line it or not depending on your preference.

[psychogirl]

Thanks Adrian. But coco cola. For real?
We only drink Irn Bru up here

[Ginger Bear]

I've had good results with Bio-Rust.

http://www.cwylde.co.uk/page.php?xPage= ... r-bio.html

[Redbeard]

had good results with the por-15 kit (3 part process) but takes time, allow at least a day to do the work plus at least 4 days afterwards for it to set. quite expensive but had good, lasting results on 2 tanks now. Take your time with the 1st stage clean, the longer you leave the stuff in the tank the better the result.

http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-motorcycle ... r-kit.html

[Crofty]

+1 for the POR15, I have done 2 tanks with good results. First tank has been on 3 years no probs, the 3rd stage paint has not washed off or changed in appearance. The tank was clean inside after doing the first 2 stages

[KeithZ1R]

Harpic limescale remover and cheap sugar based cola 3 to 1 (coke to harpic) fill the tank leave it 7 to 10 days empty down the storm grid rinse with white spirit you gotta trust me it works

[sneck]

I used screwfix patio and brick cleaner, its a suck it and see for how long you leave it inside the tank



http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-pa ... 5ltr/12627

[Jumbo]

I initially tried to use the electrolysis method and also stones in the tank and a cement mixer. But the tank had a pin hole so I then used the POR15 which was good and also sealed the hole !!!

[ADRIAN H]

Thanks Adrian. But coco cola. For real?
We only drink Irn Bru up here

Yep Coca cola and Harpic (3 to 1 mix) works. Leave a penny in a glass of coke overnight - sparkly clean.

A word of caution - Health warning for IRN BRU - taken from Daily Scotsman. Irn-Bru, is being forced to carry hyperactivity warnings after its maker failed to ditch two colourings linked to behavioural problems in youngsters. AG Barr was asked more than two years ago to remove the yellow and red colourings after a study found a link between seven key additives and children's behaviour.

[jimmock]

I've had good results with Bio-Rust.

http://www.cwylde.co.uk/page.php?xPage= ... r-bio.html

GB,

Couldn't be that good, it has sheared one of your screws????

[psychogirl]

Thanks guys. I have ordered POR15. I'll let you know how I get on.

Gutted that it's been the nicest weather and I have no bike road worthy.
Cooked the aprilia thanks to the water pump giving up and now the z is coughing and spluttering.

[Ginger Bear]

psychogirl,

Make sure you deal with the rust FIRST, Before you fit a liner.

[KeithZ1R]

psychogirl,

Make sure you deal with the rust FIRST, Before you fit a liner.

obvious but essential