Cleaning gas stain

[cogsman]

I picked up a Standard gas tank, no gas cap, no Petcock.

It looks like the previous owner stood it up on the fat end, and some gas looks like it leaked down over the hump. It has discolored the white portion (yellowish stain).

Is it possible to clean this without repainting or further damaging the current paint?

[Jess from VA]

Dunno.  I would start with (a good wash and dry), then the least abrasive polish (like cleaner wax or clear coat scratch remover) and go from there.  Also, don't push too hard and let the wax/cleaner do the work. 

High speed buffers are faster, but can burn the finish if you lack experience with them.

[pancho]

If that doesn't get it, use rubbing compound,, work it by hand, no machine. Jut use the smallest amount, a little goes a long way, and you can polish the entire tank while you are at it, it will remove years of tiny imperfections. Like Jess said, "don't push too hard" and rub your way through the clear coat.

[pancho]

Just to clarify,,, when I said "rubbing compound" I was talking about a modern product like 3M perfect-it, which is used to bring the surface up on a new paint job.

 http://3mcollision.com/products/featured-products/3m-perfect-it-paint-finishing-system

If the stain has gone deeper into the paint than it can get, you will need to lightly sand with 1500 grit wet paper, then polish it back out and hope the stain does not go completely through the clear. This is dangerous, and should only be done by someone with experience as there is no way to tell when you have gone through the clear and start removing the pearl coat, plus depending on the history, there may not be much clear coat left on the tank from improper cleaning.

[gordonv]

I use Solvent and Varsol at work to remove a lot from the enamel on washer/dryers. You would be surprised how good and quickly it works.

I would try that first on gas, I would think they are all petroleum products, and shouldn't harm the paint.

Then try a paint preparer, like wax/oil remover, for body work. I feel the stain is on top. Last I would want to do is try to remove (cut polish) any paint if I didn't have too.

But use what you have around.

[cogsman]

Hey Gordonw isn't varsol the same as paint thinner? Doesn't that strip the paint? I have laquer thinner but it doesn't sound like it would work without taking the paint off

[gordonv]

Hey Gordonw isn't varsol the same as paint thinner? Doesn't that strip the paint? I have laquer thinner but it doesn't sound like it would work without taking the paint off

Don't know the answer to that. But with the paint being dried, and as long as you don't soak it (for a long time), just wipe with a damp cloth, then I don't think it would be a problem. But then, it's worth as much as you paid for the information, so maybe try on another area first, like the underside.

I would think the same with the thinner.