how to keep motorcycle gas tank from rusting
You'll probably want to read through the whole thing before you get started. 12. As soon as you remove the rust, youll need a Fuel tank sealer. Paul is a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and he met Mark during one riding road trip. However, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the tank again after de-rusting. Remove the abrasives too, make sure you get everything. BBs are an option too. Lets find out if your gas tank should be replaced, and how to clean it. Use a strainer to separate dirt from petrol which can be used later to rinse the tank. However, knowing How to remove rust from motorcycle gas tank with vinegaris not only essential to keep the bike looking beautiful but also to prevent gas leaks and a potential hazard. The tank has to be clean and dry to get started. Now lets get to know about 5 easy ways that will keep the rust away for forever. Inspecting The Tank Fuel Tank Cleaning Supplies Empty Fuel And Remove Tank Seal The Holes Fill With Acid Add Abrasives Shake Well Washing The Tank Finishing Up Related Questions And Other FAQs Inspecting The Tank Now, let's be real, this depends on the condition of your tank. If your gas tank can be cleaned from rust, all you have to do is follow these steps. It depends on the model though, your bike may have up to 4 holes. If youre doing this on your winter project, make a little stand and go set it on your woodstove. For the mechanical rust removal, Ill normally choose an abrasive element, something that can be put inside the tank to help strip the scale manually. Your tank is prepared, now you need to shake it up, so the abrasives can do their thing. Another cause of tank rust is rainwater that gets sucked in through the fuel cap. How To Remove Dust From Motorcycle Gas Tank With Vinegar? This is known as flash rust, and we are trying to avoid it, which is why its important to work reasonably quickly at this stage. Stronger acids can damage the tank, especially thin ones. (I have cleaned many other steel items this way, but this is the first fuel tank Ive tackled in this fashion.). Here we open up the fuel tank of our 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 two months after coating it with fuel tank sealer paint. Once youre done and everything looks bright and shiny clean, remove your plugs/caps/filler cap and dump your acid into that waiting bucket you had (that wont be damaged by the acid!). The beauty and aesthetics of a motorcycle will diminish considerably if the gas tank has a lot of rust. Project complete: Results: 100% satisfied. Get as many as possible in various sizes. Step 1: Drain the carbs, if you have any. Thanks to our readers, I am currently receiving a lot of nice feedback. Instead, you want a handful or two to knock off the rust and fling your acid about the tank into nooks, crannies, and crevices. Enormous bolts are likely to dent a tank. However, if there is a layer of rust under the paint some of the paint coating will be lost as Metal Rescue removes the rust. Strong acids, or stronger acids than vinegar can be used but are not recommended. 2023 Motorsport Marketing. A handful or two will do. Fill up the tank until its completely full. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Yes, rust is very bad for the bike. Experts recommend filling the 90% gas tank with fuel and filling the rest of the space with antifreeze. In the end, you decide between cleaning and looking for a replacement part. How to remove rust from inside a motorcycle gas tankPRODUCT: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00IBW8SQW/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_c54fEbDK970HTIt is a German manufacturer called \"Tankdoc\" this video is just an example of how to do it (or not 0:44 ) :-D. If you choose this product, I absolutely recommend working exactly as described in the manufacturer's description.TOOLS: Immersion heater, hairdryer, bucket, whisk with drill, funnel, thermometer, watering can, canister, rubber gloves, safety goggles patience and time! Water will not sit on top of the surface of the material if there's paint coating on it. We may earn commissions based on product recommendations on this site. So in the mean time, once the tank is cleaned and reinstalled, to prevent it from internally rusting I was thinking of "fogging"" the tank with fogging fluid, or, put a couple of gallons with double the normal about of Stabil--as they reccommend for long fuel preservantion.. ( I have not used used Seafoam, and I understand that's more for cleaning than preserving fuel.). In case there is a visible hole in your fuel tank, you may need to undertake some additional measures. Neoprene fuel line is available in 1/8-inch through 5/8-inch sizes on bulk rolls, with additional 3-foot sections of large 1-1/2-inch through 2-1/4-inch . Remember, if youre using phosphoric acid or muriatic acid, adding the chemicals and shaking should be done as fast as possible. Not rotted through, but definitely one of the more problematic tanks Ive wrestled with. 5. Those that want to be thorough, get a borescope. The motorcycle tank happens to be one of the most prominent features and, if not well taken care of, can ruin the bikes outlook. If you plan on storing your motorcycle for more than three months, periodically drain a small amount of gas from the tank and top off with fresh gas. Hydrochloric acid is quite popular and effective agent for de-rusting; however, it is very aggressive and can make the material of the tank more vulnerable to corrosion (metal rusts faster if de-rusting is done manually using HCL). Fundamentally, all oxidized metal parts can be electrolytically de-rusted. FCW Off Jeep: Is It Important for Your Car? However, these should only be used on fuel tanks that can withstand such kind of abuse. Empty the mechanical scrubber you used (the nuts and bolts) and get that garden hose flowing. Required fields are marked *. You need to do this in a well ventilated area, and as the acid can splash about, you dont want to be near anything it could damage. And to think some folks would have replaced this tank. mjNMyqUCcPKI0cMyreQQUvS48ScNPXX9DFQLPnUep9y5iArFOJxGfDOj7g6NgtXx, stanger_mussle (Supported by GRM undergarments). Photo by Lemmy. SAE ratings displayed on the hose should be 30R6 or 30R7. (My poor kid got stuck sorting the nuts from the bolts when I was done!) Heres a full guide on how to clean rust out of a motorcycle gas tank. A period of six-hour should elapse before the tank is removed. ), 10 innovative ways to go faster on track using data, Placing our virtual Nissan 350Z Inside a virtual wind tunnel | Against the wind: Part 2. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Every vehicle owner wants to see the last thing in their engine is rust. After 24 hours you can see considerable amount of rust deposit around your anode. But some of you may have ignored the situations for quite a while. The easiest way is to fill it with fuel, the other way is probably to line it with something. Once done, soak the tank for about 30 minutes before shaking it gently back and forth. Also consider used tanks that may be in better shape than your own. Trump administration to allow more ethanol in gas. Not bad at all. You are using an out of date browser. Tank sealers and fogging oil are great measures to prevent your tank from rust after cleaning. A motorcycle tank still in its original livery may very well be worth putting some effort into simply because of the value that component brings to the whole bike. Pick up your water hose and start spraying inside the tank. Will Vinegar Remove Rust From The Gas Tank? Based on our practical experience, a concentration of 10 percent is sufficient, i.e., one part of oxalic acid to nine parts of warm water, to remove rust from a moderately rusted metal tank in an hour. The wool is efficient enough to scrape any corrosion and loose rust from the tanks surface. How To Prevent Motorcycle Tank From Rusting? Photo by Lemmy. Damn.. on day 3 it was like brand new inside. The best thing I have found for this is a heat gun or hair dryer. Open the tank, light it up, and look for rust. Do not rush, as it takes about four hours before a solid film forms. Hope you found our detailed guide on de-rusting the fuel tank insightful and helpful. When you do need to use the tank and add more fule, there will be no problems, not like some other solutions that have been suggested. 6 months later, that thing will still be pristine. Flush and neutralize Seal (optional) Assess your specimen Every tank differs in terms of its level of degradation. The course of action one would take may differ wildly in those scenarios or they may be exactly the same. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then a paint scraper can be employed to scrape away the rust. ), youre doing the right thing by rejuvenating yours. The acid doesnt care about what it corrodes: paint, human flesh, clothing, surroundings it doesnt matter. In fact, modern fuels contain more ethanol than they used to. If youre lucky enough, youll only see rust spots. The Inquisitor Posted January 29, 2020 My Rides (4) Check mechanics, online ads, dealers, and used bike venues for a replacement tank. Not too bad, if I do say so myself. Its possible to eat directly through the metal, and its also really easy to damage paint with such a strong acid. With this recipe, rust can be cleaned from the inside of a gas tank because of its acetic acid. Rinse and clean your tank completely using any kind of rinsing agents and lastly with petrol to get a shiny rust-free motorcycle tank. This works in several ways:1) a full tank leaves little room for condensation to form, and 2) lower octane fuels contain higher levels of alcohol that promote rust by attracting water. Kreem, Redkote, and Caswell come to mind as products that have enjoyed a good reputation over the years. Last, empty the tank and dry it. It is easy to use and can be used with gas or diesel 2-cycle engines. This stuff is nasty, but it works, very, very quickly. Several options are available for media blasting, including sand blasting and walnut blasting. Step 4. You cant work while the tank is installed in the bike, you need to remove it. Dilute the citric acid in (preferably warm) water, and pour the mixture into the tank. Before you pour the vinegar in, youll want to go outside. This is after removing all the corrosion and rust using a ball of steel wool. In this process, a flexible tube is inserted into the tank that has a small nozzle at the end. Ive had good luck with silicone plugs and rubber or vinyl vacuum caps for small holes and bungs. Hyundai Elantra N: Better performance than a Civic Type R? He has no need to carry around 40 gallons of gas until next January when he drives cross country. Heres a video on how to do that. It works well, but consider that the pro-level option, as well as the one of last resort. Frequent use keeps the moisture from the air that modern ethanol-laced fuel will pull into the tank from getting a hold. Pity. Place moisture-absorbing silica packets into the fuel tank and seal the tank completely. Personally, I like to set my tanks up with a catch basin underneath them containing all possible leak points. Alternatively, one can dampen a cloth with white vinegar and use it to wipe the tank. Nuts and bolts are a popular agitator, and I know some people who use plain ol gravel. If you dont mind draining it down the road, it can be a great way to keep the rust gone. How To Winterize A Motorcycle. Once complete, one can use a spare towel to seal it. 10MP Once you let the tank sit out, youll need to finish the process. The thing is, you want to remove the rust but not damage the metal surface. In fact, small concentration of oxalic acid does not pose a problem, even in an immersion bath. A Comprehensive Guide, Discover the Ultimate Guide on How to Bump Start a Dirt Bike and Get Back on Track, How To Buy A Motorcycle So You Will Not Get Ripped Off, How To Adjust Carburetor Air Fuel Mixture On Motorcycle. Thats probably shot by now, or dang close. Likewise, connect the negative terminal (black cable) to any part of your motorcycle tank. Briefly Answered! I still think alternating tanks is the right answer though. And it's getting a 5 speed manual in a couple of weeks. Check out some more of our videos!https://youtu.be/-WuU1F2VLoI?list=PLCkV34WXIYtSByal59BrwZf442y3rTEYLPlease keep these tips in mind when using Metal Rescue on your painted item. Over the years, Ive actually used much stronger acids to clean tanks. Plugs, stoppers, vacuum caps, threaded fittings I have all this stuff, but that's because I've done this a time or two. Lastly, you will have to let the sealer harden for one to two weeks before you can install and use the tank again. For larger tanks, increase the quantity of water and acid in this ratio. Although, this is an economical process, but unfortunately, also a potential cause of corrosion. You should at least see chunks and rust particles floating. Acids strong reactivity means it can react with metal tanks, causing corrosion and eventual destruction. If you have achieved desired results, install it on your motorcycle again and refill it completely with petrol up to the brim. You want to get all the acid out, of course. until I see bright bare metal under that filler cap. Apply two coats of wax to the bike to protect exposed parts from the elements. As a result the engine can get overheated and get dysfunctional. George, High in the hills of Jersey Two Goldwings & a Honda Trail 90 In the air, Private Pilot. I am thinking aerosol fogging oil or just WD 40 or something I can find locally. Don't be this newb. I recommend emptying it first, to avoid any spillage. To avoid the formation of puddles, a vacuum suction unit can also be used. Its a lot of effort, lets just say that. He's not out the extra money for storing gas in an unused tank, he's keeping all the mechanical parts working, and the fuel will help prevent rusting. You should achieve the goal of starting the motorbike for 15 minutes per week. I knew of a fellow whod wrap the whole affair in heavy moving blankets, duct tape them in place, and stick em in an old clothes dryer with no heat for a while. Some people dont stop here, they add fuel tank additives. Vinegar can be recaptured, and if the tank is elevated above the basin (rather than in it), the paint is never put in harms way. Move quickly with the hairdryer and set it on low heat. The metal parts inside your motorcycle can also corrode over time. As such, there are a number of caveats you need to be aware of should you choose to go down this path. Depending on the level of corrosion, this activity might consume an entire day. While someone will clean the tank fairly easily, you are going to be cleaning the rust for a long time. First thing that poped into my mind was figuring a way to fill it with a inert gas, like welding inert gas or nitrogen. Use your hands to check how hot the metal is. A little is OK; dont make yourself crazy. One of the safest ways to remove chemical rust is mixing vinegar and baking soda. So as a motorcyclist who has rescued a tank or two throughout my career, allow me to give you some things to think about, a process, and a few photos that you may find useful. Its a length of chain. The first and foremost step is to neutralize the acid properly to keep the rust away. Remove the fuel tank completely if the motorcycle will be stored for long periods of time. If you should need to store your bike with a repaired tank for an extended period (years), drain the the tank and repeat the oiling process. In essence you want to ensure that you don't get any moist air in contact with the bare metal of the tank. Wait at least one day to get much better results. 10. (Electrolysis Method) Electrolysis is one of the best ways to remove rust from a motorcycle gas tank. Photo by Lemmy. Then hang the piece of metal (your anode) on the board. BAM! If an individual decides on replacement, it is easy to remove through on-hand tools, but the techniques will be quite different between the older and modern bikes. If he's currently under the sea somewhere and is not driving the truck, then just ignore me. It has very few additives compared to other products in the market and prevents rust effectively. Real bad. Tools such as; The steps involved in removing rust from a motorcycle gas tank are easy if the right tools and equipment are in hand. For instance, milling machine table. This will allow the vinegar to work effectively. baking soda is what's used to clean up battery acid remember? In some cases, its better to replace it even if the paint is spotless. Have fun on the drive over, and tell him to keep his head down. 48. r/handtools. How to store the motorbike gas tank properly? Next, you will want to plug all the holes minus the filler hole with your stoppers and bungs. If not, I would recommend sealing up the metal a different way: with a fuel-soluble sealer. Add kitchen soap to the tank and then add the hot water. He gets paid on the 1st and 15th every month. Paint coating on the surface helps to keep the rust away. Get it good and clean and then walk away for a week. If it flows into the fuel lines and the engine, it may heat it up too much.
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