How to Remove Rust From a Gas Tank
If a gas tank isn’t properly cared for and kept full, rust can occur. It can easily find a way to take hold in gas tanks that simply aren’t used regularly and are therefore not properly flushed. Rust is almost certain to take place within gas tanks that are left unattended for months on end. It is also prevalent among vehicles that are stored for long periods of time.
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Instructions
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Plan to handle rust before it can happen. Use a rust prevention product to keep the tank clean and free flowing.
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Coat the tank with rust prevention materials like polyresin, fiberglass resin or Vinylester. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine which product might work best for the vehicle involved.
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Keep gas tanks full, leaving little room for rust to take hold and spread. Leaving space where air can be trapped and mix with the conditions of the atmosphere to encourage rust may eventually damage the gas tank permanently.
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Use vinegar to flush rust out of the tank. Remove the tank to complete the process to be certain so nothing can make its way into the vehicle. Rinse the tank thoroughly with pressure washing equipment. Be sure that all excess gasoline residue is removed (until the water runs clear, without a gasoline odor). Then, fill the tank with vinegar and let it sit for between 12 and 24 hours. Remove the vinegar from the tank and rinse it thoroughly with water once again. To counteract the vinegar’s acid, add between one-half and one cup of baking soda, depending upon the tank size. Making sure the baking soda coats the entire surface. Let that sit for between 20 and 45 minutes. Rinse thoroughly again with water. Make certain that no water remains in the tank before filling it with gasoline again.
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Use a professional gas tank flushing kit. These can be purchased from many car part stores or even through the vehicle’s manufacturer. These kits are designed to safely remove rust. Follow the instructions provided on the brand of product chosen. Repeat as recommended.
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Take the vehicle to an automotive shop that has equipment that can safely blast the rust out of the tank with carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 leaves absolutely no residue behind and is one of the safest ways to clean rust out of a gas tank.
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Remove the gas tank and take (or send) it to a company that can not only remove the rust but also re-galvanize or coat it using a process that will help to stave off additional rust.
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Remove rust from the outside rim of the tank immediately. Rust tends to spread rather quickly once it takes hold. Therefore, it is important to remove it the moment it is first spotted.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with reputable vehicle repair shops before proceeding with any type of rust removal.
Be careful infusing anything other than gas into a gasoline tank that isn't properly removed or closed off. The liquids could get into the tank and ruin the vehicle.
Resources
- Photo Credit pumping gas image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Vinegar is so awesome; just ask Heloise :=O).
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okido
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beenthere144
Sep 19, 2009
Part 1 is below. This is Part 2. If you see too much rust then use this method to remove the rust; Muriatic acid may work but I believe it is too fast acting and will also react with the clean metal. A more efficient acid to use is Oxalic acid in crystal form. It is slower to clean but will not attack the clean metal. Make a quart mixture with water and pour it in the gas tank. Fill the remainder of the tank with water, top off. Let it stand for a day. Pour it out and inspect the tank. If more cleaning is needed repeat the procedure until satisfaction. Final step. Rinse the tank until all sand is out. Place a paper filter between the tank and carb for added filtering. - Best Always, Ben -
beenthere144
Sep 19, 2009
First inspect the tank. If there is a lot of sediment in the tank that will need to be cleaned first; Drop a chain into the tank. Try a chain that is almost as wide as the filler hole, about two or three feet. Use oven cleaner and spray about a third of the can into the tank with the chain. Shake, shake, shake. Let stand for about 15min. Fill the tank with water and decant. Repeat this procedure until the all of the thick syrupy junk is gone from the tank. Remove the chain. Then you can try this. Take a handfull of sand and put it in the tank. Take a high pressure power washer and insert the tip into the tank. Blast away. Let the sand and water swirl and scrub for you. Decant, inspect repeat. Next step. Inspect the inside of the tank with a LED gooseneck light or use a standard flashlight. If you see too much rust then use this method to remove the rust; Muriatic acid may work but I ...
