Dirty Gas Tank, Need Help!

[Gpz1100]

**** I've gotten old and can't remember. Several years ago I bought a bike that needed a tank. Everything I found was rusty inside. Someone recommended a household cleaner that had acid in it. I bought it, poured it in, sloshed it around, waited 10-15 minutes, and poured it out and the tank was clean. I need to do it again for another tank but can't remember what the cleaner is. Please help.

 

[Jeff S]

Vinegar?

 

[FE_Rex]

Broken safety glass

 

[dukey33]

For household cleaners I can think of CLR (calcium, lime, rust) or toilet bowl cleaner with rust remover.

 

[9mm]

I had success with the Blazing Saddles method.
"**** load of pennies!"
Shake, rattle and roll them around inside.

 

[Shrevej8]

I've used Muriatic acid for the tanks I've cleaned you can pick up a gallon of it at any pool store. Just make sure to wear ppe stay unwind of it and then neutralize it with water and baking soda then wash it out.

 

[mr72]

You can get more industrial vinegar like 20% or more at Home Depot etc., which works much better than regular household vinegar that's like 5%. Regular household vinegar can work but you have to let it soak about a week. The 20%+ stuff might work overnight. But C-L-R blows it away. Muriatic acid would probably work well really fast but it'll eat up the entire tank in a hot minute if you are not careful and you will get serious burns and even screw up your concrete if you get it on there. To me, it's just way too much for DIY use. If you're using it regularly for lots of stuff then rock on, but for this one job, I highly recommend C-L-R. It behaves like a regular household cleaner and gets rid of the rust in a gas tank in just a couple of hours of soaking.

 

[Shagnasty]

Ive had decent results with Vinegar its certainly less expensive than CLR etc.. though Harbor Freight does sell a rust remover in gallon containers.

 

[oswaldoalvarez10]

Start by giving the gas tank a thorough rinse with hot water and a bit of dish soap. This helps loosen and wash out any light rust, dirt, or leftover fuel residue. Make sure to drain as much of the soapy water as you can any leftover soap can weaken the acid you’ll use next.
Once it’s drained, fill the tank with white vinegar and let it sit for at least 24 hours. The vinegar will slowly break down the remaining rust inside. After soaking, empty the tank completely and inspect the inside. You can repeat the process if needed for tougher rust spots.

 

[Plane Dr]

Try evaporust. Expensive but does a great job

 

[Magooracing]

Did the hot water, Dawn, and some bolts sloshing around first. Rinse with the garden hose sprayer got lots of crud out. Then used 20% vinegar overnight with good results. Walmart sells it in the hardware department. They also have a cleaning vinegar next to the regular vinegar in the grocery section. I can’t remember what the concentration of it was.

 

[Mr. D]

I've used Muriatic acid for the tanks I've cleaned you can pick up a gallon of it at any pool store. Just make sure to wear ppe stay unwind of it and then neutralize it with water and baking soda then wash it out.

+1 on this! I've used everything - vinegar, baking soda, pennies, BB's, etc. but the muratic acid was the one that really did the job. Wear rubber gloves, long sleeves and a face mask. Then neutralize it with many, many rinses of water.

Don't let the tank air dry (may cause rust again), but rather, use compressed air to blow it out and try your best with a cloth or towel to get in there with a tool. I believe I even put my tank in the oven at low heat to help dry it.

I remember the process being slow and cumbersome and very potent.

 

[FE_Rex]

One place I lived had a hot water heater in the garage and the drain valve had garden hose thread. Many engine blocks final rinse-off came from that heater. Hot water heated the block and dried it off - the weed burner helped too