Required fields are marked *. Photo by Lemmy. On the air, N2ELC Reply Save Like E Use a shop vacuum to remove the fuel and dirt. I would use 2 cycle oil and gasoline mix in the tank. First, it will ruin the fuel filters, the carb struggles next, the engine is the last stop. The rust will damage the engine ultimately. Get it good and clean and then walk away for a week. It is crucial to keep an eye on the clock. Youll also want to find a different method of sealing the filler; muriatic acid can and will damage caps, which can have elements that will not stand up to the corrosion. Once you drain it all out, the resultant heat will help to drive moisture off quickly. Open the tank, light it up, and look for rust. Sadly, rust can build up without the motorcycle's owner ever noticing, even as they tend to other maintenance items. At this point, apply a sealant on the inside of the tank, using products like Kreem or KBS, to seal the tank permanently from corrosion. It prevents moisture from entering and causing rust again. Johnny Greasers YG1 tank you see here had about 50 years of neglect and scale for me to contend with. BBs are an option too. This is particularly difficult with motorcycle tanks because motorcycles have small, angled tanks. If preservation is the goal, leave as much meat on the carcass as you can in case another rider has to repeat the process decades down the line. Have fun on the drive over, and tell him to keep his head down. If its been preserved and is considerably better than your current one, dont think twice. Once done, drain the mixture completely and rinse the tank with the petrol you had stored in the vessel. Many restoration projects can cease abruptly when the motorcycle tank is full of rust. However, it is important that the gravel stones are small and sharp-edged. Get as many as possible in various sizes. It is recommended to use at least 12Volts. This includes emptying the tank, flushing it, and letting it dry. Updated on March 6th, 2022 | By Mohit Chauhan. This is best done with diesel, petrol, alcohol or a special tank cleaner. Are Titan Wheel Spacers Good? Yes, rust is very bad for the bike. To achieve this, the bike owner should soak the rusty metal object inside white vinegar for some hours, after which only wiping can remove every dust particle. To start the flow, suck on the other end until fuel starts flowing. (2) Plugged Petcock and expansion holes and topped up tank with pure white vinegar bought at NO Frills for $1.97 each. Certain spots are difficult to clean and not all methods or products available in the market are suitable. Even if youre using comparatively gentle acid like vinegar, you dont want the acidic fumes building up indoors. And if you're using something stronger, it's a possibility the item(s) may react violently and turn to dust. Those that want to be thorough, get a borescope. Pour the abrasives into the tank, and cap the filler hole. If you dont mind draining it down the road, it can be a great way to keep the rust gone. Step 1: Drain the carbs, if you have any. How To Remove And Replace Gas Tanks On Modern Motorcycles. If he is regularly driving the truck, he can alternate tanks without filling both. (Or get a junk cap and fresh seal.) However, if there is a layer of rust under the paint some of the paint coating will be lost as Metal Rescue removes the rust. Have you ever experienced this? I have some very, very old fuel tanks, and they dont rust because I keep them full of fuel, and I use the bikes! The fuel filter will collect as much as possible but that tiny piece will get through and enter the engine. Use a siphon to siphon the fuel. This is going to be your anode. What Materials Do You Need To Remove Rust From Motorcycle Gas Tank? Fill them both, and as a bonus if he is short on cash he can run the next tank down as well. Then, youll want to rinse the tank. I'm in the process of restoring an old Honda, absolutely disgusting fuel tank My first attempt to restore the tank was a mixture of muriatic acid and hot water and then rinse out, then I learned about flash rusting. Our editorial content is reader-supported. Over the years, Ive actually used much stronger acids to clean tanks. It depends on the model though, your bike may have up to 4 holes. Youre tired of replacing fuel filters, cleaning your carb, or youre putting a neglected bike back on the road. In the end, you decide between cleaning and looking for a replacement part. Full tanks displace air, which is needed for rust to form. ISO-HEET is the standard for adding something to your gas tank to remove water. Without proper consideration, one might end up damaging other parts. Use a strainer to separate dirt from petrol which can be used later to rinse the tank. It's one of my favorite rust preventers. The easiest way is to fill it with fuel, the other way is probably to line it with something. Rust will just slide into fuel lines. And voila! With widely used bikes, there are a lot of used replacement parts available. In cases like this having the gas tank replaced immediately can prevent severe consequences. Dismantle and drain the tank completely. The tanks content should get emptied before sealing it back with the side covers or other materials used initially, pour fresh gasoline in it. To do this, add some sodium hydroxide (around half teaspoon) and stir well before draining. Do not empty the tank by riding until its empty. While someone will clean the tank fairly easily, you are going to be cleaning the rust for a long time. This will prevent any moisture from entering or forming in the fuel tank. Simply spray Dry Coat on your metal part and watch nothing happen. Heres a full guide on how to clean rust out of a motorcycle gas tank. Strong acids, or stronger acids than vinegar can be used but are not recommended. Drain prior to use. Likewise, connect the negative terminal (black cable) to any part of your motorcycle tank. They may not be that harmful, the smell can be objectionable, and having acid vapor near items that you dont need stripped is probably a bad idea. Your service manual probably wont tell you much about how to deal with a rusted fuel tank (Remove and replace, Im sure, if it even mentions such a thing), but given how expensive and/or unobtainable tanks can be (and how costly that colorful stuff on the outside of em usually is! If you do use something stronger, you may want to think about protecting the paint, and you definitely want to protect yourself. In fact, small concentration of oxalic acid does not pose a problem, even in an immersion bath. The following paragraph will approach the subject matter using a simple step-by-step guide. He has no need to carry around 40 gallons of gas until next January when he drives cross country. This works in several ways:1) a full tank leaves little room for condensation to form, and 2) lower octane fuels contain higher levels of alcohol that promote rust by attracting water. No more, I promise. Make sure to limit water exposure to your gas tank. Photo by Lemmy. Thats probably shot by now, or dang close. Not to mention, youll have to replace the filters quite regularly. However, knowing How to remove rust from motorcycle gas tank with vinegaris not only essential to keep the bike looking beautiful but also to prevent gas leaks and a potential hazard. Preventing Rust The best way to prevent rust is to keep your gas tank full. If your motorcycle isn't going to be ridden for an extended period of time, such as over the winter, fill the fuel tank with gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer . Chances are your fuel tank is either rusting from the inside or the fuel has mixed with rust particles giving you a run for your money! Its a bit of surface rust, so you cant really stop it. Disposal requires extreme dilution, and the risk of personal injury is quite high. The wool is efficient enough to scrape any corrosion and loose rust from the tanks surface. I don't think its the ideal choice, but they claim it does inhibit rust. Remember, if youre using phosphoric acid or muriatic acid, adding the chemicals and shaking should be done as fast as possible. Your email address will not be published. And if your bikes not too old, heck, a dealer might have a new one sitting on a shelf somewhere. How driving instruction can make you faster on track. Instead, you want a handful or two to knock off the rust and fling your acid about the tank into nooks, crannies, and crevices. If you don't, they might disintegrate by the time your tank's innards are sparkling. You must log in or register to reply here. How to wire a cross-pollinated engine swap | Swap Science, Fiat 124 Spider: What you need to know before you buy, 30 years later, this Honda Civic Si is still hunting for more speed. It is vital to ensure every tank area is covered with vinegar, mainly where rust is evident. I can't believe all these horrible advices given to you like wd40. A handful or two will do. As a result of the water accompanied by the heat, corrosion forms quickly forming rust on the metal. Stop when the vinegar is completely cleaned out. So as a motorcyclist who has rescued a tank or two throughout my career, allow me to give you some things to think about, a process, and a few photos that you may find useful. Depending on the level of corrosion, this activity might consume an entire day. Hook up one cable to the positive (red) and the other to the negative (black) terminal of the DC charger or battery. Next, dissolve 100 grams of soda (sodium carbonate) in warm water and stir for around 30 seconds. Generally, the newer a bike is, the thinner the sheet metal tends to be in the interest of saving weight and forming more complicated tank shapes. It might be easier and more economical, but all that relies on how dirty and rusty the tank is. Not too bad, if I do say so myself. Once youve determined that a particular tank project is worth your time, money, and effort, its time to quantify the damage. Also consider used tanks that may be in better shape than your own. If you can find a more efficient way for shaking, do it. Paul is a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and he met Mark during one riding road trip. Also, you should use compressed air to blow dry the tank before using it again. Fundamentally, all oxidized metal parts can be electrolytically de-rusted. mjNMyqUCcPKI0cMyreQQUvS48ScNPXX9DFQLPnUep9y5iArFOJxGfDOj7g6NgtXx, stanger_mussle (Supported by GRM undergarments). It only takes few months of negligence for corrosion to start forming up under your exhaust manifold, chassis, and even inside your motorcycle fuel tank! Obviously, rarity comes into play; a tank of a given condition that may be considered refuse for a high-production bike may be the holy grail for one of lower production. A bund (secondary containment) made of concrete or brick is very useful and necessary to prevent and hold spillages. Old Harley-Davidson fatbob tanks, for instance, have excellent survival rates simply due to the insanely thick steel used in their construction. For best results, it is advised to add handful of screws along with the mixture and shake the tank well in a pre-defined interval. But im sure there are easier ways, as mentioned. *BUY NOW: https://www.metalrescue.com/buy/\rPrevent rust from forming inside your gas tank and your motorcycle parts with Dry Coat Rust Preventative Spray from Workshop Hero, makers of Metal Rescue Rust Remover Bath. Before you start loading your agitating substance into your fuel tank, you may want to place a few test pieces in a glass or ceramic bowl and make sure your acid does not have an adverse reaction. Once rust is removed, wash with cleanser and water to remove any remaining vinegar acid. The tank has to be clean and dry to get started. Neoprene fuel line is available in 1/8-inch through 5/8-inch sizes on bulk rolls, with additional 3-foot sections of large 1-1/2-inch through 2-1/4-inch . One can rent a media blasting equipment from hardware store or take the tank to the workshop and have it de-rusted there. I added a half cup of table salt and sloshed it around for two days. The fuel tank should be dry before you put it back on. Everything you see on the blog are from what Ive learned over the decade. However, it is important that the workpiece must not be completely rusted through. But some of you may have ignored the situations for quite a while. Thanks to our readers, I am currently receiving a lot of nice feedback. 7. until I see bright bare metal under that filler cap. If your gas tank can be cleaned from rust, all you have to do is follow these steps. Be careful! It has been my experience that heavy deposit removal is best handled mechanically, and finish restoration is usually tackled chemically though thats not always the case. Watch the video a. This will allow the vinegar to work effectively. Here is the result of my gas tank rust removal project. As doing this would prevent the motorbike battery and all other internal parts from going bad. Step 4: Clean and wax your motorcycle to get all of the paint destroying crud off of it. In gas tanks, it is possible for water to penetrate them and create moisture inside due to extreme heat. Rust is quite annoying, and the usual cleaning solutions for metal wont do it. Since, ethanol attracts moisture, oxidation is highly likely, especially when the motorcycle is stationary for a long time and not moved. Yup, you're on to something hereThis is about the best of the ideas. The rule of thumb is if rust broke through to the outside paint, you should replace the tank immediately. Another cause of tank rust is rainwater that gets sucked in through the fuel cap. Use your hands to check how hot the metal is. I recommend emptying it first, to avoid any spillage. Add a fuel stabilizer during periods of inactivity. Youre using hot water because it will quickly transfer heat into the metal of the tank. Lets find out if your gas tank should be replaced, and how to clean it. If you should need to store your bike with a repaired tank for an extended period (years), drain the the tank and repeat the oiling process. Leave the mixture in the tank for 8-10 hours. In order to clean your gas tank using HCL, we recommend pouring some diluted acid in the tank and leave it open for some time. Put about 400 grams into the tank and then add boiling water, making sure you fill it all the way to the rim. 9/24/10 12:46 p.m. Similarly, even a repaint that cannot be easily reproduced to match other items on the motorcycle may be costly to duplicate. First, that stuff will chew through solder quickly, so if you have a valuable old tank thats been soldered in either manufacture or repair, avoid muriatic acid. Applying gas tank coating to prevent rust such as Hammerite Direct to Rust Metal Paint to your gas tank will protect it against rust, moisture, and water. 1. You can find whole sets online, that should cover you for future tank cleanups. The first prong deals with removing the heaviest rust deposits, and the second involves rejuvenating the finish, possibly in preparation for the installation of a tank sealer. I don't think the Sta-bil will do anything to prevent rust. A Comprehensive Guide, Discover the Ultimate Guide on How to Bump Start a Dirt Bike and Get Back on Track, How To Buy A Motorcycle So You Will Not Get Ripped Off, How To Adjust Carburetor Air Fuel Mixture On Motorcycle. First thing that poped into my mind was figuring a way to fill it with a inert gas, like welding inert gas or nitrogen. Plugs, stoppers, vacuum caps, threaded fittings I have all this stuff, but that's because I've done this a time or two. They work really well, albeit at higher cost. Oxalic acid (click to buy), in contrast to the former, does not damage or attack the paint. You are basically done. Ill tell you my secret weapon a little later on. Warm-up 4-5 gallons of water. Note: All acids (including Oxalic and Hydrochloric acid) are harmful and dangerous, which is why it is important to keep them out of the reach of children and always wear protective gloves while handling the acid. Last Updated on 2 months by Mark Nicholson. Use anti-corrosion products on bare metal to keep the moisture out. Keep your fuel tank full to prevent rust inside the tank. Here you can see our tank prepped correctly, with all ports on the bottom side of the tank securely blocked off. If you want to hit the road more confidently, were your go-to solution. Prepare to get wet. The object of my labor is this tank from a 1964 Yamaha YG1 belonging to Johnny Greaser, our New Guy's brother. I said, just go with one tank, but that's not flying. Photo by Lemmy. Obviously the cost of a fill up is high when using both tanks, but the frequency between fill-ups will be longer as well. The tank needs to be filled so theres no scope for rust formation. Every vehicle owner wants to see the last thing in their engine is rust. Either way, we cant tell until we take a look. While the acetic acid in vinegar de-rusts the surface, the oil aids in loosening the contaminants and prevents new rust from forming. Repeat this process for another day if required. After pouring the liquid, move the tank in all directions for around 5 minutes so that all areas are thoroughly covered with sealant. HCL is one of the most efficient rust removers that exists, similar to phosphoric acid. So, proceed with caution. The nuts here will scrape away all the loose rust while the solvent will penetrate to remove every bit of corrosion on the metal. Flash rust is usually fine enough and collects in such a thin layer that a fuel filter will catch it and what it misses will probably run through your carb with no problems. An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. Note: Do not leave the acid in your tank for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. You are using an out of date browser. Mix a small ratio like 5:1 gas to oil. Most fuel tanks require a two-pronged fork of treatment. Rust can begin to Circulate inside the engine, when this occurs the quantity of air mixing with the fuel drops. Thanks for the responses sent. Here's what we start with. EvapoRust comes to mind, as does Metal Rescue. But one major drawback of these types of tank de-rusting techniques is that the tank must be emptied and cleaned again at the end of the blasting process. Vinegar is a mild acid, the chances that it will damage the tank are low. It is dangerous to ride a motorcycle with a rusty gas tank, as rust can easily lead to holes and leaks. Keep in mind, looking for a replacement part can take a while too. Bendable steel or iron rod to be used as the sacrificial anode (do not use stainless steel as it will omit toxin during the process). Place the tank on a non-conductive surface (wooden table, floor, etc.). : All You Need To Know! Photo by Lemmy. The motorcycle tank happens to be one of the most prominent features and, if not well taken care of, can ruin the bikes outlook. Hi all: 88. In short, it can withstand and protect your gas tank for a long time.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'engineneeds_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-engineneeds_com-banner-1-0'); Gasoline uses components like water or additives. It doesnt need to be boiling, but it does need to be uncomfortably hot to the touch. The First step is to have the fuel tank plugged with high-octane gas. Acid react with rust and dissolves it. Themotogears.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. In electric water heaters, a power loss or heating element failure can cause water to no longer heat in the tank. It is worth noting that destroyed motorbike tanks can become dangerous quickly because explosive gasoline circulates into the rider and ted elements. *BUY NOW: https://www.metalrescue.com/buy/Prevent rust from forming inside your gas tank and your motorcycle parts with Dry Coat Rust Preventative Spray from. This was about average, though there were a few spots with some thick scaling and deposits. This stuff is nasty, but it works, very, very quickly. The first step, if you haven't done so already, is to remove the tank from the motorcycle. Start by removing the seals you used. Rinse the tank several times to ensure all the residual mixture has been cleaned out. Photo by Lemmy. How To Prevent Motorcycle Tank From Rusting? (If you have your own methods, please feel free to add them!). It depends on your situation, if youre lucky both ways are easy. Acids strong reactivity means it can react with metal tanks, causing corrosion and eventual destruction. He's not out the extra money for storing gas in an unused tank, he's keeping all the mechanical parts working, and the fuel will help prevent rusting. He gets paid on the 1st and 15th every month. Was just on the verge of drilling it out. Remember that fuel caps are vented, so even if it seems to seal up well, it still may not be liquid-proof, which brings me to my next point. The metal parts inside your motorcycle can also corrode over time. Ive known some folks to fill a tank with oil specifically for this purpose. Paint coating on the surface helps to keep the rust away. Step 4. Make sure the piece of metal is not touching the tank and is hanging in the middle. Maybe two or three rust flakes floated to the top during the flush. Smaller is better, to a point. I repeat this process whenever the urge strikes me (a few times a day, perhaps?) It works well, but consider that the pro-level option, as well as the one of last resort. And was reported to be completed successfully. It will help to access the tank on all sides. How To Remove Rust From A Motorcycle Gas Tank: NO ACID Blaster Products 861K views 10 years ago How To Remove Rust From A Motorcycle Gas Tank Tom's Tinkering and Adventures 35K. The third step is to ensure the 12-hour duration expires. When done shaking, open the tank, see if the level of rust has decreased. Thats why most people recommend replacing a rusty tank. Therefore it needs no saying that using the pure form of gasoline is essential. In essence you want to ensure that you don't get any moist air in contact with the bare metal of the tank. Because theyre round, theyre not very likely to get caught in a tank that may have very pronounced lobes with sharply tapering walls. So, how does it look? To do that, use a hairdryer while also allowing for natural air to flow through the gas tank. You'll have a minimum working time of 20 minutes with the Sealer. Check mechanics, online ads, dealers, and used bike venues for a replacement tank. Now fill the tank to the brim with the mixture of soda and warm water you just prepared. Oh, and remember that secret I told you about before? DisclaimerEngineneeds.com is a participant in Amazon Associates Program. Once you let the tank sit out, youll need to finish the process. If your tank has rusted through in any areas, that too may be an indicator that the tank is beyond saving, depending on your time and finances budgeted to the task.