Here's my problem: I got a oil tank that has rust in it. I filled it with navel jelly already but without a way of scuffing the inside , most of the crud stayed . I have also filled with acetone for about a week, got some of the stuff out. need some ideas or help, I've only got the filler hole to get a brush in. Just wondering what the molasses dip would do to this tank. will it help? The outside is chromed but don't care for the chrome, going to be painted.
take it to a place where they dip car bodys. and be careful when you've got a flamible material inside of it. then your working on a bomb. i knew a guy that was welding on an "empty" outside 300 gallon gas tank. they found his jaw bone down town. not trying to be over dramatic. just a fair warning
Fill it about 1/4 full of solvent,put a handful of nuts/bolts in it and shake it. you'll be surprised how much rust comes loose.
No molases, but L&M strippers in Van Nuys just chem stripped my truck cab. They do gas tanks too.
Do a chem strip! You will be more than happy with the results. It's worth the money, and also the value of your time trying to clean that thing 5 to 10 times.
A simple solution would be to wash the thing out with something to cut the grease residue. Maybe some of that orange/lemon based stuff. Then fill it with white vinegar and let sit for a while (couple of days)and rinse. Works the same as the molasses but quicker. Should put some oil in it ASAP because light surface will form almost as soon as it dries, just like with the molasses treatment. Sound strange but I've tried it and it works.
I've heard people putting a length of chain inside a gas tank and shaking it, with an oil tank you could use ball bearings or smaller chain(?) Just don't get too crazy and dent it from the inside.
i just bought a gallon (paint can) of carb/parts cleaner from the local auto store for cleaning up some carbs i have...boy was i suprised when it took all the rust off the carb bases too...stuff works like a champ...might want to give it a try. i think the bucket o'carb cleaner is made by the gunk company.
Go to the hardware store and get 1/2 gallon of muriatic acid. Make sure the tank is BONE DRY before you start, and pour that shit in the tank. Let it sit for about 3-5 minutes on each side and keep it moving around to each side til your done. Wear a mask and some heavy gloves, it takes skin and throat lining off as fast as it takes rust off metal. When your done, SLOWLY pour the acid out into a large bucket that is heavily diluted with a box or two of baking soda to neutralize the acid. Now, when I say slow, I mean take 10 minutes to pour out the 1/2 gallon of acid, dump it all at once and you get a big foamy mess that eats anything in its path. Once the tank is emptied and rust free, run some acetone through it to stop the acid reaction and dump that out. Then figure out something to seal it with, like some epoxy solution that will dry or a tank sealing solution from Eastwood. That way the tank won't ever rust again. The diluted baking soda and acid solution in the bucket is now good for giving your 'favorite' neighbors' lawn some extra nutrients in the shape of big "F*CK YOU" for everyone to see.
Just about any acid will remove rust.There is acid in Molasses,that's how it works. Phosforic acid will also work,without being as agressive as Muriatic acid.And it leave a protective Iron Phosfate coating to resist corrosion.
I have used the muratic acid(pool acid) quite a lot. Always rusted until I started rinsing with Ospho(phosphoric acid) Works for me.Once pored a whole gallon of pool acid in a hood to get the rust in the inner panels. Fumes almost killed me. Neighbors dog who always came out to bark at me never barked at me again!
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