Aman Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 After having dropped my tank to change my seized fuel pump, I realized how rusty my tank is. I don't know of anybody around here with a decent condition fuel tank for sale on the account of our cars are rare, so, is there a way to get rid of the rust? Or should I set up a fuel cell or something? I'm lost and out of ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Britt is parting this one out and may have one for you... http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=137090&do=findComment&comment=1353043 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Yeah, you can take it to a radiator shop ( I know they are getting rare) and have them cut it open, clean it out, weld it back together, and then seal it up (make sure they use the good stuff to seal it up) Got mine done for around $250 IIRC. Looks brand new inside and outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aman Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Oh I forgot an important part. The rust is surface rust on top. The inside is in fairly good condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 take it down, remove rust (be cautious if using something that will or could spark of any vapors that maybe in / venting out of tank. Make sure it's sealed up good so your not getting dirt and dust in it. Hit it with a good metal primer, and paint it. I used por 15 on the whole underside of my car. Bit of a PITA but kills rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aman Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 What would be the best method of removing the rust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Phil Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 acid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbrad511 Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 Tank is down? Pull the pickup/sender out, empty the tank, spray the inside down with penetrating oil, fill the tank with water, then wire wheel on an angle grinder. Primer, then a good coat of undercoater. Make sure to let it dry out before you put it back in the car and add fuel. I'd let a fan blow into the access hole for a day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 What would be the best method of removing the rust? Did my whole underside with wirewheels, wirebrushes, flapper wheels ECT. Guess you could go all out and sand blast it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aman Posted May 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 Penetrating oil as in... PB blaster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbrad511 Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 (edited) Blaster. WD40, anything to film up the insides so the water doesn't take hold of the metal. You'll have to put a fair amount in, and spray at every angle you can get to. Make sure to drain it VERY WELL and get it dry before you reassemble it and put fuel in it. There will be some oil residue left, but it'll be light enough it won't cause any running problems, and it'll be gone with the first fill up. I'd also likely add a good dose of Lucas to the first fill up. Guess I should clarify something. In my ag mechanics class (many years ago) we covered procedures to repair/weld gas tanks. Filling with water displaces any fumes that can and will still linger, even after the tank is empty. A wire wheel will throw an occasional spark, so you need to cover your bases. Then again, if the rust isn't too bad you can sand it by hand with something heavy, like 80 grit, then prime and coat it. Odds are, with a good coating of undercoater it'll never rust again...being where it's at. And honestly, if it were mine, and weren't too badly pitted up, that's probably all I'd do. Make sure whatever primer you use is a solvent base. Whether it's spray can or brush make sure you clean up with thinner/mineral spirits, not water. Edited May 16, 2013 by vbrad511 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aman Posted May 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 So, spray down the inside through the inspection holes/filler neck/ sender hole with wd40/PB and then fill the tank with water all the way to make sure I'm not in danger of explosion, then wire brush/sand the top, and coat it? I'm probably going to POR15 it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 So, spray down the inside through the inspection holes/filler neck/ sender hole with wd40/PB and then fill the tank with water all the way to make sure I'm not in danger of explosion, then wire brush/sand the top, and coat it? I'm probably going to POR15 it. yep pretty much. Remember to prime it, and por15 also requires topcoating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted May 17, 2013 Report Share Posted May 17, 2013 are we talking rust inside or out side the tank,, posters are talking both ways ,, your best option is to call around to local rad shops and see who can clean the tank for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 17, 2013 Report Share Posted May 17, 2013 are we talking rust inside or out side the tank,, posters are talking both ways ,, your best option is to call around to local rad shops and see who can clean the tank for you OPOh I forgot an important part. The rust is surface rust on top. The inside is in fairly good condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted May 17, 2013 Report Share Posted May 17, 2013 OP yep i'd say that was a very important bit of info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 17, 2013 Report Share Posted May 17, 2013 (edited) ^ no doubt as I also went right for cutting the tank open by a radiator shop too O OP if you are going to use por15 be cautious, don't use good brushes (it will EAT THEM) cuver up very good. The stuff is NASTY it ate right though my chem resistant gloves. The stuff that did get on my skin slightly burned my skin and did not come off for about 5 days of serious scrubbing with a stiff brush. Edited May 17, 2013 by jszucs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aman Posted May 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2013 Aww sweet por 15 applies right over rust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted May 18, 2013 Report Share Posted May 18, 2013 Aww sweet por 15 applies right over rust you apply it directly over rust , don't be surprised when it pops off and the rust is all the way thru the metal , the can directions clearly say deflake all rust and then use a liquid convertor on whats left before painting with por15 do not paint over rust , remove as much as possible then use rust convertor on whats left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jszucs Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Aww sweet por 15 applies right over rust Yeah but DON't DO IT. Do like shelby said above or your going to be doing it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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