Graham.........it was an involved-process (perhaps over-involved) but the results were excellent.
From: Graham Rogers Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2021 8:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Gas Tank restoration I’m back with 2 more tanks to derust. An EN500 Vulcan tank is sitting on a board on a wheel barrow full of white vinegar (the tank, not the wheel barrow). Next is a 1974 CB350four tank which isn’t bad at all but since this is probably going to end up being a full restoration, I’ll do it, Graham On Sat, Nov 20, 2021 at 4:04 PM Peter N <[email protected]> wrote: I too use white vinegar on gas tanks with great results. I fill the tank with vinegar and let it sit for a few days, and then wash it out with water, swish rubbing alcohol around in it, and then motor oil. The metal soaks up the motor oil and that prevents that flash rust thats common post vinegar treatment for rust prevention. After that you can take your time with the tank. When storing a bike long term (in between riding seasons) I like to fill it to the top with super and fuel treatment and then I'll drain that gas out and refill with fresh gas when I go to use the bike again. On Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 3:09:30 PM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: Graham.........I considered using a commercial rust-remover (“Evaporust”) but opted for this approach instead: o Add undiluted vinegar (weak acid to solubilize rust) to the empty tank and agitate; agitate more; keep agitating.........then drain after several days. I used store-bought vinegar (5% acidity). I don’t believe it matters whether it’s white vinegar or cider vinegar. I added 2 gallons of vinegar and agitated the tank many times / day for several days. Between agitations, I left the tank in various orientations such that all interior surfaces were periodically bathed in vinegar over the days. Drain. o Add baking soda solution (weak base to neutralize any residual acid) to the empty tank and agitate. For this step, I agitated the tank for a few minutes. Drain. o Add water to the empty tank and agitate; agitate more; keep agitating........then drain. For this step, I agitated / drained / filled / agitated / drained through several cycles. I spent ~ 15 minutes on this step o Add isopropyl alcohol (IPA; functions as a water-scavenger) to the empty tank, agitate and drain. For this step, I used 70% IPA (16 oz.). Since this was a small volume relative to the tank volume, I was careful in agitating (several minutes) in an effort to ensure that IPA came in contact with all tank-interior surfaces and to mix with any residual water from the previous step. Drain. A very minor degree of “flash-rust” developed in some areas following this step. o “Blow-dry” the tank interior. I used compressed air and a heat-gun (low setting) on this step. The tank interior (as observable with a mirror and flashlight) at this point was substantially rust-free. o Fill the tank with fresh gas. I’m happy with the outcome (including a functional fuel gauge) but sad that I got myself in the situation to start with. Perhaps it’s a cautionary-tale that will help others (don’t allow your tank to rust !). In any case, I’m also happy to share the experience and to report that I am back on the road ! After several years. Side note: I had forgotten how un-fun mounting tires (front and back) is. One, two-foot iron broke in the process. David Before / After Conditions: Bonus pics: Rust (and liquid) from the tank Current-status image From: Graham Rogers Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:52 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Gas Tank restoration Yes, tell me! On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 10:51 AM David Shevlin <[email protected]> wrote: Graham.......I had good success at removing rust from my 1986 NHS tank-innards. Happy to share if you’re interested. David From: Graham Rogers Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 8:57 AM To: Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers! Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Gas Tank restoration First local hardware store I walked into here had Methyl Ethyl Ketone. I set up the tank, had a pressure washer ready to go and every precaution not to get the stuff on the paint. The stuff really worked well. It softened the liner on contact and I got most of it out. It was messy and I did get a few streaks on the paint, not too bad. EMK is so strong it started to work on the plastic funnel I was using. Now To remove the rust in the tank, forget about lining it again. Thanks folks for the suggestions. On Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 5:51:44 PM UTC-4 Graham Rogers wrote: Thanks Nick, I’ve been trying to find a US supplier of the stuff On Wed, May 19, 2021 at 5:04 AM 'Nick Tampsett' via Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers! <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Graham, I had the same problem last year. There were various remedy’s suggested to me, but none of them worked. I then contacted a guy here in the UK who specialises in tank repairs. I bought a complete tank repair kit from him ( liner remover, rust preventative and new sealer etc ). The liner remover didn’t work (🤬🤬) but everything else did. I contacted the guy again and he suggested a product called Fertan Sealeater. I bought some and yes it did work. I then used the rest of kit to seal the tank and it’s been good ever since. One very important tip. DO NOT get any of the liquid on your paintwork, it will eat it. Ask me how I know. Hope this helps. On 19 May 2021, at 01:24, Graham Rogers <[email protected]> wrote: Has Anyone had any experience removing a deteriorated liner out of a gas tank. There is rust under the liner. I want to deal with the liner first. I have already pressure washed a lot out of it. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/9dcc39a3-4d88-46b2-87ae-99458302e79en%40googlegroups.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/3A9946D1-49DB-4BB8-A83F-2CE0997A59AD%40btinternet.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/3243a8f5-ef2a-40c3-9b94-c533e93f7083n%40googlegroups.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/83D116674A8645C0819AD03FDB7F288C%40DavesWootHP. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/CAGg-qp0D446tdHhap3ky4E_%2B8_%3D78hyo0Y3hBE8u2ZTbAFsy2g%40mail.gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/cf4cce4a-f5f3-49b7-89ce-da75be956a06n%40googlegroups.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/CAGg-qp3mPuNqNY5oHVNNQmaoarqJjqh4ME5fYdg3R1-DkU15kw%40mail.gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nighthawk_lovers/59B4037C2DEE4633846FA2BBC63EC939%40DavesWootHP.
