I have a 1927 Willies Knight in need of love. I'm attempting to tumble it to remove the rust scale inaide and then thinking I wsnt to apply a high quality rank tank sealer. Any recommendations?
A place in Norfolk Va will coat them with a rubberized coating but obviously that’s a bit far from you. Culpepper radiator. I’ve done several motorcycle tanks with a product called Kreem that works well.
I have sealed quite a few fuel tanks using this product: https://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html No issues, no failures. PREPARATION IS THE KEY.
Here are some products I have run across BUT have not used: HOT ROD magazine article. A link to that product: https://www.kbs-coatings.com/auto-fuel-tank-sealer-kit.html Vendor for that gas tank cleaner & sealer: https://www.hirschauto.com/AUTOMOTIVE-FUEL-TANK-REPAIR-KIT/productinfo/ARK-01/ Another product mentioned on HAMB: http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html I was told the Old Ford Parts place in Oklahoma City also sells a product that has good results.
If it doesn't leak, I'd leave it alone....then you won't have to worry about the sealer flaking off due to whatever it is that likes to make it flake off.
I’ve used a product from O’Reiley’s called RED KOTE. Been in my Lincoln tank probably 7-8 years, also used it in a couple of farm tractor tanks. So far, no problems with it peeling or chipping. Gas doesn’t soften it like some of the others. Stopped the rust particles you can’t seem to always get out from clogging the filter and carb on mine. Follow the instructions on the can and you shouldn’t have any problems.
I have sealed many old Harley tanks , Red Kote is the best product I have personally used . I will not even try another product .
Both are good choices, Red Coat in 65 Suburban and 14 years no problem. Just hard to find locally. Used KBS on last tank and followed their directions and cleaned tank with solvent, prep and sealed and working, as it should, Have had great luck with all KBS products.
We were on our way to Louisville and my pal Gary started having trouble with the fuel filter clogging up, it didn't take long to realize the sealer was breaking down, we realized on the side of the interstate wasn't the place to clean out the tank so another member of the party drove a few miles back to a small town auto parts house and bought a hand full of in line filters. We finally got to Louisville late in the day and used most of the filters along the way, that evening after we had dinner we removed the gas tank on Gary's 34 and found a radiator shop the next morning to vat the tank, we picked it up that evening and the installed it in a thunderstorm, we got the tank back in the car and he was able to drive his car to the show on Saturday. From my experience I wouldn't use a tank sealer, In reality there was no reason for putting that stuff in the gas tank. HRP
On my car with a rusty tank I added a gl*** sediment bowl type filter in addition to the canister filter. This has reduced my filter consumption by at least half. I did use one of the tank liners in another tank that I got chemically stripped (and soldered up all the little holes), to hopefully protect the bare steel. New tanks have a terne coating in them, once this is gone the steel will rust very quickly.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gas-tank-sealer.1245664/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ealing-tips-and-tricks.1215225/#post-13867089 https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gas-tank-sealer.1114838/ https://www.https://www.jalopyjourn...reads/gas-tank-coating.1200727/#post-13681117 https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gas-tank-sealer-issues.565948/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gas-tank-sealer-qs.70071/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/anyone-used-gas-tank-sealer.49350/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/por-15-gas-tank-sealer.1021001/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/thoughts-on-gas-tank-sealer.1174843/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gas-tank-sealer-one-better-than-other.178474/ etc...
I've had good luck with a few different sealers over the years. Just be sure ALL the loose debris is out and the inside is DRY!!! After coating, let it set with all ports open for LONGER than it says in the instructions! Good luck...
I've had my 32 gas tank sealed with a liquid coating for about 20 years. Sitting up several years with the ethanol based gasoline in it has caused small bubbles all inside the tank. Not sure what to do to remedy the problem. So I would recommend not coating a tank.
POR15 tank sealer is awesome. After coating the inside, pour out the leftover POR15. I left the tank to drain and it tried to seal the 5/8" drain hole. Kreem and some others are just liquid PVC
I bought tank sealer from Caswell quite a few years ago and it failed. I have no idea if the stuff they sell now is the same stuff they sold then though. I had a chunk of sealer partially block my fuel line and cause me issues at highway speed. Ended up cutting a 4" hole in the top of the tank so I could get my arm in there to peel off as much as I could. When I had the tank out to remove what I could of the sealer, I thought ahead this time and installed a "filter sock" on the tank end of the fuel line. I had a spare G-body sending unit handy so I grabbed the "filter sock" off it. The "filter sock" I am talking about is the gold/bronze/yellowish colored thing in the top left of the image below. I have no interest in using gas tank sealer ever again. Funny thing is, my tank was actually in decent shape and I thought the sealer was a bit of insurance considering the fact that my tank was from 1938 ... I should have just left well enough alone.
Like Niel Young said, Rust Never Sleeps. The biggest problem with coating a tank is you do not know if you got all the rust out or treated before you coated it. I would imagine most of us rush the job. Then there is no way for most of us to see inside the tank to be sure. Inspection cameras are cheap now but not 20 years ago. A new tank would be the way to go. If there is one made for your car. That being said I have used a couple different products to seal tanks over the years. I have not seen any problems, but have sold most of those cars and tractors. All were done before ethanol was added to gas. I have heard that causes problems with older sealers.
After getting stranded twice far from home in my late 60's Suburban due to someone putting sealer in the gas tank, I'd never use sealer! I'd simply clean it as good as possible, and then use it. The sealer used on my gas tank came off in big sheets, and the piece I found after dropping the tank was a "sheet" of sealer about 8"-10" in diameter and had completely wrapped itself around my pickup in thhe tank, and starved the fuel pump, stranding me about 200 miles from home. I don't trust any of it now.
I think Ford had a problem with some of their diesel tanks delaminating and that’s a factory job. Caused a big mess with injectors!
FWIW... For the cost and peace of mind, buy a new tank if they are available. I have a serious rust and sediment issue on my 58 Ford. For $300 I have a new tank and no worries about reliability.
Had to modify the tank on my 34 when I narrowed the frame for bigger tires...Had a outfit in Hemmings called Tank Renue line mine 15 years ago and so far no issues..
Unless you are trying to do more of a restoration than a hot rod, I'd try to find a new replacement tank. If you ever break down on the road, it will probably cost you as much as a new tank would cost. I think several of the products available do a really good job, but getting rust out of seams before applying the product is hard to do.
I have used the Kreem products with good results. A hand full of Hex Nuts dumped in the tank helps break up the rust. Its really hard to shake a car fuel tank hard enough to get it clean though. Taking proper safety precautions on tanks that cant be replaced with new, I have cut a large square out of some tanks in an incon****uous spot then sand blasted the inside then weld it up again and seal it with Kreem.
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