Ironhead How I clean steel motorcycle gas tanks

[asasial]

Originally Posted by ezmerf

Go to bottom of page and google hillbille harley tank prep and see how I did it.I used Por tank prep and ball bearing i have a you tube deal on how I rotated tank.

LMAO that's awesome. I'm a hillbilly and can't believe i've never thought of that!!! I've lost some toothless points for that, damnit there goes my cousin privileges for the next month. I'll definitely use that technique next time i need to clean a tank.

[crazee240]

is there a special POR 15 for fuel tanks? also what is the best way to apply it inside the tank?

[Moon Wolf]

Napa stores sell the complete kit and, yes, especially for motorcycle tanks.

There is a rust remover and a cleaner (steps one and two in the kit) and then the actual sealer. I think the three-stage kit runs about $40 bucks.

I've heard in some places that the pros will do it for $50. If you can find someone that will do your tank for that price, jump at it.

It's a mess to apply. If you're trying to preserve a paint job, cover the entire tank with painter's tape and then cover the painters tape with duct tape. After you've pressed all the seams and have every bit covered, find the right size plug for petcock hole and pour in the entire container of Por 15. Tape over the gas cap opening and make sure you seal the edges. If you have one of those plastic plugs they use for caps on new tanks, they work well too.

Slosh the coating around the bottom and sides, and then look inside with a pen light to see how you're doing. Then roll it around the top, but don't experiment with how well your tap or plug is holding, you don't want any of that stuff on the outside of your tank--it does not come off.

After you believe you have all the tank covers remove the plug and drain. No matter how hard you try (or at least now matter how I try) there's always puddling. Keep looking inside, and keep rotating to get as much of the stuff out of the tank as you can while trying to keep all of it off the tape and your hands (use gloves, too).

In a small Sportster tank, I usually get out a little more two thirds of what I put in. What puddling is left, and there will be a little, dries hard as a rock in a couple days. At first, the coating looks clear, but as it dries it gets grayish white but still somewhat translucent.

Charley from "Tanks Only" in Seattle did one of my turtles with Redcote, and I like the way it looks better than the POR 15, but I've never applied it myself. If, like me, you're the sort of guy that worries about how the inside of your gas tank looks, you might want to give it a try.

[IronMick]

I have had all my tanks coated with the RedKote pro0duct by a local auto radiator shop. He has charged $85 to $115 depending on the tank condition.

[BuckIRyder]

Have a radiator shop remove the rust. They have all the various chemicals to do it and it is surprisingly inexpensive. Plus you don't have to mess with disposal issues

[Boom-Boom]

For those interested in using a milder acid - straight white vinegar works pretty darn good to kill rust, and you can wash it down the drain when you're done.

[MegaDON]

Originally Posted by Boom-Boom

For those interested in using a milder acid - straight white vinegar works pretty darn good to kill rust, and you can wash it down the drain when you're done.

Ive seen this work, but be careful from Flash Rust

[ezmerf]

Well here the prep is with Por and ball bearings.
http://youtu.be/y7B5P8oAgvA

[Moon Wolf]

Funny.

I think, though, that it is somewhat easier to wrap the tank in a comforter and turn it in the drier (no heat). I've always used small nuts and bolts mixed with ball bearings or BBs on the theory that the sharp corners will be more abrasive.

[ryder rick]

I don't mess with junk tanks, new ones are too cheap.