Gas Tank Cleaning

[Barn1018]

Hey All! this is a subject that has been hashed and rehashed frequently but I have a question. I have been involved in a restoration project on a 1968 cub for about 18 months and the hood has been off the entire time. i am finally at the the point of reinstalling after painting and I looked inside and its has small amount of rust inside. My question is this; is there a quick and easy way to clean it up so as I don't mess up the paint? Would vinegar take it out? Thanks in advance

[Eugene]

I would use a sealer like POR or RedKot.

This time of year, cooler temperatures, the sealer may take quite some time to fully cure.

Use the search function for discussions on gas tank sealers.

[Jim Becker]

I guess it depends on just what you mean by "a small amount". Is it a small amount of rusty color on the inside surface or a small amount of rust flakes rattling around in there? If the former, I would ignore it. If the latter, I'd consider rinsing out whatever is loose and doing as Eugene suggested.

[Barn1018]

I guess it depends on just what you mean by "a small amount". Is it a small amount of rusty color on the inside surface or a small amount of rust flakes rattling around in there? If the former, I would ignore it. If the latter, I'd consider rinsing out whatever is loose and doing as Eugene suggested.

Yes it looks to be just some discoloration. I don't see any loose flakes so I will take your advise and call it good. Thanks

[inairam]

The cub tank is open, no baffles. You can put is some fine chain and some kerosene or oil drive around with it in the bed on of pick up. Some people have strapped it to a rear wheel of the tractor and let it go.

The last tank I cleaned was a 140 with a baffle. I used industrial-grade vinegar and water solution for about a week. Rinsed the thank and did the electrolysis method over night.

If is not too bad I would rinse as best you can. Make sure have a good screen filter in the fuel strainer and keep an eye on the bowl for a few tanks.

[Rick Prentice]

The cub tank is open, no baffles.

Actually there is a baffle that goes across the inside of the tank. You can see it with a flashlight. There's a gap across the bottom that will allow BB's or pea gravel to slide underneath to reach the rear section. You can see the general area from this pic below I copied and created

[indy61]

Here is a youtube video showing a cutaway of the tank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYThXx7yINE

[bofahs]

Two of the tank sealants I've used prep with a mild phosphoric acid wash. The POR-15 tank sealant sets up about as hard as glass. I much prefer it to sealants the can stay, or get, soft.

Yes, at this point you'll want to be particularly careful about the painted finish, but with enough masking paper and tape, maybe saran wrap and extreme caution, you should be OK.

Probably a two-person job; use proper PPE.

[inairam]

Rick, thank you for the correction. I never noticed it.

[Clemsonfor]

I noticed first time I looked in. It says the tanks holds 5 or 6 gallons or whatever and you look in and you see that spot directly under the fill is only big enough for about that I stated wondering where all the fuel went. Then I saw that gap at the bottom and understood the baffle .