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Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

  1. #1
    Posting Freak Philkinson's Avatar
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    Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Holy shit, a motorcycle post on NESR?!?

    Finally time to fix up my 1980 CB750. My tank is gross inside... does anyone know someone local that restores and seals fuel tanks? I'm in Rhode Island, can travel or ship the tank.

    Thank you,

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  2. #2

    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    How bad is it? you can do it yourself.
    Kreem it
    if it's really bad it might not be worth the trouble.

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  3. #3
    Don't run with the pack. whynot's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    For DIY, I did a Caswell sealant on a tank years ago. Key is in the cleaning. And working temperature was critical, too cold and the stuff hardly flowed, too warm and the compound set up too quickly.
    https://caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

    There's a lot of time involved if done right, so I'd guess that any shop would charge a hefty fee for the service, guessing that they might get into it if it were part of a bigger restoration job.

    How's the paint? Are you restoring? You could go for broke and ship the tank all your painted parts to BD's Cycles in SC
    https://www.facebook.com/BDsCycles

    Another experience, when I had my vintage British bikes, I'd take old tanks to Don Hutchinson in Wakefield MA. He'd media blast them inside and out, pressure test them, then weld up any holes. We never lined or coated the insides of the tanks. Then pay him $800 for a restoration paint job. Or I'd do my own paint.

    If the tank had an old Kreme job or body filler, he'd burn them out first on a Hibatchi.
    https://hutchinsoncycle.com/2012/03/...ank-for-paint/
    https://hutchinsoncycle.com/blog/page/2/

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    Last edited by whynot; 02-23-23 at 08:32 AM.
    And don't believe everything you think.

  4. #4
    Posting Freak Philkinson's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    The tank itself is in the good shape. The paint has some flaws, but we're dent-free.

    If the inside of the tank is something I could get done for a few hundred dollars; that's all I really care about.
    I'll check out the DIY options, but I don't have a great workspace right now.

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  5. #5
    Don't run with the pack. whynot's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    [EDIT -- removed my DIY technique since better suggestions follow from others]


    Here's a good DIY YT, using vinegar-- good comments, too:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzzeNdjPUS4

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    Last edited by whynot; 02-23-23 at 01:25 PM.
    And don't believe everything you think.

  6. #6
    Lifer golden chicken's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Evaporust

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  7. #7
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    I had http://gastanklining.com/ clean and line my 3TJ OEM tank, came out mint and only disturbed my horrible rattle can paintjob a tiny amount where they had to seal through pinholes. Lining held up fine after a crash dented in one corner too.

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  8. #8
    is not wearing pants Point37's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    i think i have used por15 kits a couple times...i know at least once on a rototiller...

    https://por15.com/products/motorcycl...a&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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  9. #9
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Oxalic acid, and a light weight chain as an abrasive instead of nuts & washers

    first, the chain, shake the tank good, get anything loose out, the let it sit full of oxalic acid a couple days, rinse good before you put baking soda & water to neutralize any acid, and finally, isopropyl to get any water out before you cream it

    I've used both POR and Cream, both good products if applied to a clean tank

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    Last edited by RandyO; 02-23-23 at 12:18 PM.
    RandyO
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  10. #10
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Quote Originally Posted by golden chicken View Post
    Evaporust
    I believe Evaporust is oxalic acid

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    RandyO
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  11. #11
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Quote Originally Posted by boosten lebaron View Post
    I do this all the time with vintage bikes. Works great every time.

    Remove petcock and plug port.

    Fill take with white vinegar. Right up to the top. Let sit 24 hours. Dump contents into big pan, I use kitty litter trays from Walmart. Vinger will be gross but it is reusable. Check inside of tank and see if it's where you want it to be. Strainer vinger with a paint strainer and refill tank for another 24 hours if you want it cleaner. Top off with fresh vinegar. Repeat process if it's still not clean enough. Even the worst tanks I have done take no more than 3 days. You can add some big drywall screws and shake if you want to speed up the process but it's generally not needed and they can be a whore to get out. I only add screws if I'm dealing with an old liner.
    Once the tank is clean immediately full with some diesel to stop the flash rusting and swirl it around. I have a gallon of old diesel I keep around just for this. You just want to really make sure you get it splashed all over the inside. If I'm not going to be using the tank for a while I will keep the diesel in it and move it around every few days. If I am going to fill it with gas soon I will empty it out but not clean the inside so it has a film. When your ready for gas just put a small amount in and shake it around to clean the diesel out then dispose of it. Your good to go at this point. Just try to make sure you top off your tank if you plan on leaving the bike alone for more than a month.

    About coatings, I try not to use them. I will absolutely not use Kareem under any circumstances. It makes work for a few years but it will fail, 100% guaranteed. Caswell is my go to but you need to follow the instructions without fail. I only line tanks that have metal so thin they are or have a risk of leaking. I have an inspection camera I use to look deep inside for potential issues to decide if I want to line.

    Realistically the whole process is like an hours worth of work. It's pretty harmless to try the vinegar as long as you don't let it sit untouched for weeks.
    reason I use a light chain, only one thing to get out and easy to grab

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    RandyO
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  12. #12
    Lifer
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Damn system erased my post.

    Anyway, chain is ok depending on tank. I've found it doesn't do the corners well. It's pretty rare I need to go that far anyway, only if I'm battling an old liner really. Vinegar does the trick on its own.

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  13. #13
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    this is type of chain I used

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    RandyO
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  14. #14
    Senior Member Mgiossi's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Yesssss finally a motorcycle post!!!!!!!

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  15. #15
    Lifer joeswamp's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Vinegar is a great rust remover but it leaves the metal totally naked -- it will rust if you look at it wrong.

    I've heard that electrolytic rust removal works well on gas tanks, this method seems better to me because it leaves a black oxide layer that provides some protection. Phosphoric acid leaves iron phosphate as a protective coating but I can't imagine filling a tank with phosphoric acid.

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    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Get out of here with this moto content!

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    Paul_E_D


  17. #17
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Quote Originally Posted by RandyO View Post
    I believe Evaporust is oxalic acid
    It's not. It's not using an acid action, it's a chelating action going after the iron oxide itself. It does leave a bit of a protective layer when done but I'd still want to treat the metal after using it.

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  18. #18
    Lifer
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Quote Originally Posted by joeswamp View Post
    Vinegar is a great rust remover but it leaves the metal totally naked -- it will rust if you look at it wrong.

    I've heard that electrolytic rust removal works well on gas tanks, this method seems better to me because it leaves a black oxide layer that provides some protection. Phosphoric acid leaves iron phosphate as a protective coating but I can't imagine filling a tank with phosphoric acid.
    It only flash rusts if its not taken care of asap, thats why you use the diesel. As son as the vinegar is out the diesel goes in and coats the surface. Once you have stopped the chemical reaction of the vinegar you dont have to worry about it again.

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  19. #19
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Quote Originally Posted by boosten lebaron View Post
    It only flash rusts if its not taken care of asap, thats why you use the diesel. As son as the vinegar is out the diesel goes in and coats the surface. Once you have stopped the chemical reaction of the vinegar you dont have to worry about it again.
    that's why I use a solution of baking soda

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    RandyO
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  20. #20
    Don't run with the pack. whynot's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Jeez, what a great MC thread. Makes me want to run out and buy an old crap bike and get to de-rusting it.

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    And don't believe everything you think.

  21. #21
    Senior Member Mgiossi's Avatar
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Old Honda's are so much fun to work on and ride. I almost never ride on the street anymore but when I break out the old 1974 cb750 and go tearing around the back roads of ri/CT I just fall in love all over again

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  22. #22
    Hypertarded
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    When you guys use vinegar, is it industrial strength or regular grocery store vinegar??




    Quote Originally Posted by Mgiossi View Post
    Yesssss finally a motorcycle post!!!!!!!
    Quote Originally Posted by Mgiossi View Post
    ...... I almost never ride on the street anymore but when I break out the old 1974 cb750 and go tearing around the back roads of ri/CT I just fall in love all over again
    SO can't wrap my head around this sentiment......

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  23. #23
    Lifer
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    Re: Looking to get an old fuel tank restored/sealed... anyone know someone?

    Just regular white vinegar from Walmart. Make sure you get enough to fill the tank. It's reusable so I just pour it back into the jugs when done.

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