Gas tank rust removal results

[1930artdeco]

Somewhere here is a thread dealing with rust removal via sodium citrate and washing soda. I keep losing the one I replied to and I said I would post the results of my gas tank rust removal. So here I go.

I used one of those 75 gal tote things that is encased in a metal cage. Cut it roughly in half for what I needed-plenty of room. The formula I had was derived from the UTube video (the gun smith one). I did not anticipate the volume of the tub so will need to double everything to make it work. I ended up using approximately 17 lbs of Citric Acid, 7 lbs of washing soda and 17ish gal. Of water plus some dish soap. These are the before pics of my tank. Not in too bad of shape for something that is 90+ YO and was hanging in an uninsulated garage for who knows how long. The inside was rusty though. I tumbled the tank with some rocks-got them all out by the way.

Then I set up the solution and dropped the tank in. I didn’t have a tub when I created the formula so after dunking, it was half in and half out. I would let it soak for two days on one side and then flip it over. All and all it was in the solution for about 5 days.

What I learned was this:
1) it does work, although I think I made mine a tad on the weak side.

2) it does eat at primer at least. That is a lot of the red stuff.

3)even half submerged it left somewhat of a film so there doesn’t seem to be much flash rust.

Any questions feel free to ask. This tank is a spare so it will get pickled and put on a shelf.

Mike

 

[1930artdeco]

Here are the after pics. Only found one stretch of pin holes in an odd location. But fixable. I am going to let everything dry, do a wipe down with water and ospho and prime and paint. The inside will sealed up with MMO and sealed.

 

[WWheeler]

I've done this more than a handful of times, especially when I more regularly used to flip generators, mowers, blowers, tillers, etc.

I've had good results using ZEP calcium, lime & rust and a handful of small nuts and bolts and have fashioned a small jig to fasten the tank to a harbor freight sheet sander to shake it for a a few hours, and then POR15 to seal the tank.

 

[driftpin]

have fashioned a small jig to fasten the tank to a harbor freight sheet sander to shake it for a a few hours, and then POR15 to seal the tank.

Got pics of your lash-up? I have a general idea of what you are doing. I have a couple of old corded Craftsman sheet sandpaper sanders, which could do the job.

I've just used 6% cleaning vinegar to clean parts, which has worked well. Ospho phosphate works well to forestall after-treatment rusting.

Before

 

[WWheeler]

Got pics of your lash-up? I have a general idea of what you are doing. I have a couple of old corded Craftsman sheet sandpaper sanders, which could do the job.

Sorry it was years ago and I don't have that sander any more. It was just an old 1/2 sheet black and decker heavy beast of a sander very similar to this one below that had the same clips on each end. I would turn it upside down and use those clips to bungee the tank to it. I'd lock the trigger on and let it run all night long. I'm not so sure most sanders made today would survive that kind of abuse.

 

[driftpin]

I have a couple Craftsman double-insulated 1/2-sheet sanders, from probably the late 1970's early '80's; I don't think I'd use any electric tool wired to be 'on' while I slept. Thanks for the feedback.

I've read of people wrapping their tanks in moving blankets and partially-filled with steel shot or the like, and using a dryer. That's nothing I'd do at home, but maybe at a laundromat. A poorly-run laundromat. I suspect the noise would get you thrown-out of a laundromat which was vigilantly-operated.

 

[1930artdeco]

1) I like WWHEELERS'S idea if I understand it correctly. I may make something up so that I can pour some sharp rocks in my other tank and slosh it back and forth. I may do this every so often and then sunk it. i will do it by had so as not to make to much noise, may take awhile to do it though.

2) While trying to pickle the tank with MMO, I found a whole batch of pin holes. I will have to put a patch over that spot on the tank at some point if I use. But for now, I will just seal it up with JB weld and put it on a shelf.


Mike