Rusty gas tank

[Jason_Coffey]

I bought a quart of red kote for the gas tank on my new cub. The tank has a small hole in the bottom and it's full of rust. Other than rattling a chain around in it, is there any other recommendations prior to coating it?

[tst]

muriatic acid will eat out the rust, neutralize after with baking soda

[Eugene]

If you have rust hole(s) in the tank bottom - purchase a solid used tank. Don't bother with coating the inside of the tank. It's just going to keep rusting.

[twotone]

I took my tank to a radiator shop and they soldered some steel patches on the bottom, then coated the inside. No problems yet.

[DickB]

"The Works" took the rust out of a badly rusted outboard engine gas tank for me. It did eat the aluminum plug on the gas cap, however--it LIKES eating away at aluminum. To use it safely I did an internet search on "The Works" and rust removal from gas tanks -- it seems there were details to adhere to. Unfortunately I no longer recall these details, but looking around on the internet could be useful if you're interested--it is probably caustic and could cause all sorts of harm if handled incorrectly. "The Works" is less than $2 a bottle at WalMart--in the toilet bowl cleaner section. I recall going through a few bottles, some major junk being dumped out. Motorcyclists seemed to those most accustomed to using "The Works" on old gas tanks. Give it a search, if interested. And please let us know how it worked out if you use it.

[Don McCombs]

A quick check of the MSDS for "The Works" show that it is a 9.5% solution of hydrochloric acid. Nasty stuff.

[artc]

since there are still available replacement tanks for Cubs, and yours is rusted through, I'd opt for a replacement tank.

on other gas tanks not readily available, the bottom is cut out where it won't show to expose both sides of the baffle in the tank. then its sandblasted and mig welded back in place. then a tank coating is used on the inside, and grind the weld on the outside. perhaps a little JB weld as well to fill in any imperfections. but that's a lot of work

[Jason_Coffey]

Thanks for all the info. I will blast it with some soda and see what it looks like clean. Then I will have a better idea as far as repair or replace.

[randallc]

Evapo-Rust will dissolve the rust, but may open up more hole's in the bottom of the tank when it takes the rust away. Rinse real good with water the dry the inside real well.

[Rob in NH]

i've clean the tanks with muriatic acid, then rinse with hot water a few times. i then rinse it with acetone which helps prevent flash rust.

[stevey30]

I also am going to do the acid route,I called a couple radiator shops in my area and the gave me quotes Fromm $200-$300 just to clean it,they said it was due to the size since it is attached to the rest of the hood,if the acid doesn't work I am going to use the E-clean method.

[Eugene]

I called a couple radiator shops in my area and the gave me quotes From $200-$300 just to clean it.

Pretty sure you can purchase a rust free, solid tank and hood for less money.

[Jason_Coffey]

My tank is shot. It has terrible cancer in it. Not salvageable.

[randallc]

Jason, there may be some good sheet metal left on the hood. Advertise in the wanted section and see if you can find something that just might could get delivered to NE Oklahoma Cubfest.

[Barnyard]

I called a couple radiator shops in my area and the gave me quotes From $200-$300 just to clean it.

Pretty sure you can purchase a rust free, solid tank and hood for less money.

Yep, they pop up on the forum now and then anywhere from $75 to $150. I would rather buy a good used one than spend good money on one that needs extensive rust hole repair.