Rust in my fuel tank

[f6john]

What's the best remedy that has worked for you? Do any of the rust dissolvers like Evapo-Rust work?

[hubcapsc]

What's the best remedy that has worked for you? Do any of the rust dissolvers like Evapo-Rust work?

I've heard that evapo-rust does  work in a tank, and it is
not an acid... I've used oxalic acid to remove rust on some stuff...
once I put the stuff in a tin cooking pan and it ate a hole in the pan...

-Mike

[Valker]

EvapoRust works extremely well, but it does take some time. It's not something you can just shake into the tank. I have an extremely rust used tank for an extra. After Evaporust is done, I rinse it then immediately use Kreem tank sealant system on it.

[98valk]

 phosphoric acid

[da prez]

  Electrostatic (?) cleaning. Search for the info. My info is at the shop.

                                     da prez

[Jess from VA]

Ex-lax?

[Gondul#408]

Muriatic acid will strip the rust out almost immediately.
Baking soda/water will work to neutralize the acid, a *very* hot water rinse and I used the leaf blower to dry out the tank. 

I just make sure to keep the tank as full as possible and ride it often... there is some rusting in spots, but it is significantly cleaner. 

I may eventually pull the tank and use a sealer, but reviews are all over the map on what works and what does not.   

[f6john]

phosphoric acid

How does that and paint get along?

Muriatic acid will strip the rust out almost immediately.
Baking soda/water will work to neutralize the acid, a *very* hot water rinse and I used the leaf blower to dry out the tank. 

I just make sure to keep the tank as full as possible and ride it often... there is some rusting in spots, but it is significantly cleaner. 

I may eventually pull the tank and use a sealer, but reviews are all over the map on what works and what does not.   

Same question?

[Valker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MC_ZEXQbw

Project Farm rust remover video. I could not embed it.

[f6john]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MC_ZEXQbw

Project Farm rust remover video. I could not embed it.

Thanks for that link. I was hoping the Evapo-Rust  would have performed the best outside of the acids. I may give the Kurd Cutter a try after I do a little more investigation. I like the speed of the acid but I don't want to have to paint the tank.

[Toovalks]

F6... had an extremely rusty Valk tank. The inside looked crusty... I went the route  of  coarse drywall screws and soapy water to start ( A bi_ch to get those screws out) then because I was leaving town for 6 weeks I filled the tank with  6 gal. cleaning strength vinegar and left it to sit. Weeks later... it looked as if it was new inside.  After draining and rinsing, I put a gallon of denatured alcohol in to adsorb the water, dumped it out  and warm air dried it.
My very rusty magna tank I cleaned over the weekend with Evaporust or Metal Rescue from home depot.
The nice thing about those products, are that they are nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Phosphoric and Muratic (dilute hydrochloric) acid are  very caustic , and "can" be dangerous to  handle. They do clean the metal quickly, but can also damage (dissolve)  it quickly as well, depending on the dilution you are using... They also set the surface up to "flash rust" immediately on drying. so you must treat the tank right away with something to avoid it.

In both instances I immediately put a pint of  fuel in the tank with some MMO  and sloshed it around to coat the clean surface.
They have sat for months with no further rusting.

[f6john]

F6... had an extremely rusty Valk tank. The inside looked crusty... I went the route  of  coarse drywall screws and soapy water to start ( A bi_ch to get those screws out) then because I was leaving town for 6 weeks I filled the tank with  6 gal. cleaning strength vinegar and left it to sit. Weeks later... it looked as if it was new inside.  After draining and rinsing, I put a gallon of denatured alcohol in to adsorb the water, dumped it out  and warm air dried it.
My very rusty magna tank I cleaned over the weekend with Evaporust or Metal Rescue from home depot.
The nice thing about those products, are that they are nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Phosphoric and Muratic (dilute hydrochloric) acid are  very caustic , and "can" be dangerous to  handle. They do clean the metal quickly, but can also damage (dissolve)  it quickly as well, depending on the dilution you are using... They also set the surface up to "flash rust" immediately on drying. so you must treat the tank right away with something to avoid it.

In both instances I immediately put a pint of  fuel in the tank with some MMO  and sloshed it around to coat the clean surface.
They have sat for months with no further rusting.

Good info, stay tuned, I may have more questions!

[RustyValkry]

I'm in the same boat with the RustyValkyrie tank.  When the time comes I need to start by getting the 'chunks' out, not easy.  I bought a gallon of evaporust that I'm going to try when the time comes.  I've never used the liquid tank liners but I've seen enough negative feedback about them to not want to try one unless it becomes an obvious necessity.

I watched the Project Farm video about the rust removers and based on that video and previous ones from different sources, I decided on the Evaporust.  Time will tell if I made a good decision.

I've given some thought to using a see-thru inline fuel filter temporarily if I put the bike back on the road just to see if any debris was left behind.  I've also seen enough negative feedback about them to not want to use one very long.

This is one of the fun things about working on a bike, so many fun decisions to make . . . and I can make any decision I feel like.  Hmmm, maybe I can find a see-thru inline filter with a built in multi-color LED, wouldn't that be fun?

[Speedy Coop]

 I used a electrolysis method as seen on YouTube on a small Honda generator gas tank. Worked great and no paint damage. Your results may vary!

[FLAVALK]

I used a electrolysis method as seen on YouTube on a small Honda generator gas tank. Worked great and no paint damage. Your results may vary!

I used this method on my Valkyrie tank. It worked.