Projects Gas tank problem,my new Deuce

I use acetone as well, if the paint is a cured urethane based it probably won't hurt it as long as your careful and don't let it sit too long without wiping it up, lacquer it'll ruin right now! I pour in the acetone, slosh it around ever so often till the varnish appears to of dissolved, drain it out.

 

Danny use masking tape on the outside of the tank to protect the paint with what ever product you use. good luck

 

The sedan is running like a top with the jug of gas,I don't think I'm going to have to rebuild the carburetor.

I pulled the sending unit from the tank and it's so gunked up the float is frozen,so I need a new VDO sending unit. HRP

 

No matter what you clean it with I'd suggest putting an inline filter between the tank and the fuel pump or carb to catch what stays in the tank. I've had to change them on the side of the road too often on old tanks that I had cleaned with a pressure washer including the one that was on my 51 Merc.

 

Not tellin ya what to do Danny, but if it was me (and I've been there B4) Buy a new tank ($235) a new sending unit ($35) and a pint of paint ($40) and then ya don't ever have to worry boutit.

 

Yeah,I just purchased a large metal inline filter to replace the one that was close to the tank and a small filter between the fuel pump and carburetor.

As you well know when the tankers fill up those underground tanks they stir up all kinds of crap and we pump some of that stuff in our tanks. HRP

 

I thought about buying a new tank and I realized that the tank is a original,so it's 83 years old,it's not a reproduction. HRP

 

I posted on your other thread the other day about this, but I'll post it here too , in case you missed it.
In my vintage motorcycle mags, they suggest using a mix of water and milkstone remover . Apparently works like a charm and is readily available at TSC . Vintage bikes suffer from the crappy fuel tank issue a lot , believe me . Pour the mix in, slosh it around and let it set, pour out . If you get any on the paint doing it , rinse it off.

 

Allen,thanks for the information,TSC...is that Tractor Supply? HRP

 

Denatured alcohol will cut the gunk. We did it on an A tank that had set for years. Sloshed a lot drained and filtered and reused. Came amazingly clean.

 

I'm going to try several of the methods suggested over the weekend.,if the results fall short I will hot vat the tank and repaint.

I appreciate all the ideas. HRP

 

Danny,
I know there have been a bunch of posts, but I would suggest taking some super clean and a pressure washer, and cut as much of the shit out of the tank(through the sending unit hole), dumping and flushing it, before using any of the suggested solvents. It's worked for me on the couple of smaller fuel tanks I've done.

 

You know,I never even thought about using a pressure washer and I have a small one that just might be a good starting point,thanks for the suggestion. HRP

 

Ahhhh.... What is milkstone remover?

 

Super Clean will destroy the paint , anodizing and polish on anything. A friend didn't read the ingredient label and tried to bring back an old M/C using is and screwed up just about every part on the bike

 

Yup , tractor supply

 

Is used in the dairy industry to remove deposits from inside the holding tanks .

 

5gal acetone or cheap lacquer thinner and let it sit for a few days and drain. If the tank has a drain plug you shouldn't even have to remove it. Run a good filter.

 

Too late,it's already out. HRP



It's fugly inside. HRP

 

Yup that's fugly!

 

If you got access to a steam pressure washer that is what I use to cut the crap loose you can use a 5:1 ration of C.L.R to clean up any rust left , install a new filter has worked for several that I have done. just not sure about the C.L.R on the paint. God luck!!!!!!!!!

 

I had a old vespa with a tank that looked like that. I didnt want to boil the paint either.
I loaded it up with chain and bolts and shook it till I couldnt stand it several times. Then I filled it up with Yamaha carb soak, avaialbe at a good yamaha motorcycle dealer, came out real decent. Best part of the carb soak is it didnt ruin the paint. AND, it can be filtered and used over and over

 

HRP, a friend had to clean a tank like that, he put some clean gravel and some kind of cleaner in it, tied it (well) to his HF cement mixer and let it run for a couple hours - noisy as hell but it worked.

 

H.R.P. I used that rust remover that Orileys sells and then used a pressure washer. I had to do it twice but if you remember the gas tank on my 56 buick wagon was a mess from sitting. No problems after that. Good luck with it.Bruce.

 

3W Larry always cracks me up!

 

gotta remember 3Windowless Larry is known for his less that lucid moments. HRP

 

too late for my suggestion and there probably needs to be a whole thread on this problem because there is no more traditional gas made any more unless you buy VP fuel. Todays gas is made to burn, not sit. I even had a batch of JP-1 go south on me
Query; Star Tron or maybe I can make a link work http://www.starbrite.com/en/startron
probably not. Their products are enzymes and THEY WORK or have for me and people I know. Tractor Supply carries their stuff.
I have a friend that turned me on to this product, He cleaned up a fuel system that was as bad or worse than yours looks. Treatment and filters. I have been using it and cleaned up fuel systems of mine that have varnished up.
It killed the bio growth in the fuel system of my diesel motor coach.
It turns the varnish back to fuel.
on with your plan and good luck

Larry

 

As for any shaking of tank with it sealed up with cleaner an nuts inside,I've done tank shaking by hanging them from rafters in my garage with lines,this kept me from droping it,cuz be side having clearer in the tank,I put a hand full of 1/2in. nuts in with it to help brake up the crap,and having it on lines I can shake it hard and roll it around on the lines. I do it all a few times before it seems good enough. Just passing along my own crzyness

 

Dana's method has me going...Now, I'm looking into an electric motor with a wheel and link to agitate it without having to shake it!
Love dis HAMB.....

 

Another vote for E85.