Rusty tank boil x 2

[Jevers]

Well, my smoking hot deal on a 2006 ST1300 w/lots of farkles and only 11,xxx miles was hiding a dirty little secret.... RUST in both tanks! I checked with a local Gas Tank ReNu franchise and they told me it's at least a 3 week wait and the cost would be around $300. Granted that is a professional clean and seal but, YIKES! So, I started searching YouTube videos and thought I might give it a shot. 2.5ish gallons of white vinegar and 22 hours on my 12 volt power supply and.....
YES! Victory. It came out spotless. This lower tank wasn't nearly as rusted as the top tank, so we'll see. Jevers

 

[SMSW]

Congratulations. How do you seal the bare metal now?

 

[Jevers]

Congratulations. How do you seal the bare metal now?

After neutralizing the tank with baking soda and distilled water AND rinsing it with distilled water AND drying it with paper towels and a heat gun I coated the inside with Sea Foam, left a pint in the tank, saturated a rag and put over the opening. I then sealed it up in a plastic bag and am storing it in the A/C. I have read where people don't actually seal it, just remove the rust. Thoughts? Jevers

 

[SMSW]

After neutralizing the tank with baking soda and distilled water AND rinsing it with distilled water AND drying it with paper towels and a heat gun I coated the inside with Sea Foam, left a pint in the tank, saturated a rag and put over the opening. I then sealed it up in a plastic bag and am storing it in the A/C. I have read where people don't actually seal it, just remove the rust. Thoughts? Jevers

No ideas, I was hoping to learn from you.

 

[Jevers]

No ideas, I was hoping to learn from you.

Hah! Boy, you're in trouble if'n yer wantin me to lern ya sumptin! Just kidding, but I am a bit of a novice at this rusty tank business. I'll be sure to pass along any and all info as I aquire it. Jevers

 

[STRider]

Darn, and here I was thinking this may have been a new take on a crab-boil.

 

[MotorBikeMike]

Don't let your bike sit around with an empty tank - keep it full whenever it's parked for any amount of time and it won't be able to rust.

At least that's what I do and seem to work I had a nasty tank on an 1983 goldwing so now I fill my bikes up whenever they will sit even a week or so.

 

[Jevers]

Darn, and here I was thinking this may have been a new take on a crab-boil.

Well, I was very CRABby after I saw the rust!

 

[rwthomas1]

I'm wondering if you'd detail the rust removal technique for the curious?

Regarding treating the tank to prevent future rust, would a process like Parkerizing, used in firearms work on an item like this? Hmmm...

RT

 

[Jevers]

I'm wondering if you'd detail the rust removal technique for the curious?

Regarding treating the tank to prevent future rust, would a process like Parkerizing, used in firearms work on an item like this? Hmmm...

RT

I can tell you what I did, it may or may not be the correct way, but in my case it worked great. OK, here goes...
First, try to get as much of the scale ( loose rust flakes) out of the tank. Some people use screws, nuts, bolts, bbs, pebbles, etc. I'm kinda lazy so I didn't spend much time on on this step ( figured I'd let the vinegar do the work).
Shopping list;
Disposable gloves, safety glasses
8 gallons of White Vinegar
6 gallons of Distilled Water
2 boxes of Baking Soda
1 Battery Charger 8 to 10 amps
2 Plastic Pails 5 gallon capacity
1 Plastic Funnel
An assortment of rubber caps and plugs
The small tank is easy, once you get it out. Yes, you do have to disassemble the entire rear half of the bike just to get that damn tank out! Cap off the 2 hose barbs and make a lid out of a plastic coffee ground container. Drill a 5/16" hole in the center a put a piece of Ready Rod as long as possible, but keep it an inch or two from the bottom of the tank. This is very important so that rod doesn't ground out to the tank.
Place the tank in a plastic tote and block it up to sit level. Fill the tank up to the brim with White Vinegar. Install the cover with the Ready Rod and put the positive ( Red ) clip on the Rod. Next, put the negative clip on one of the hose barbs. Extremely important that the positive and negative don't touch. The circuit is completed through the White Vinegar, thus creating Electrolysis, the chemical reaction that breaks down the rust.
Let her " cook " for 24 hours, checking to see if any Vinegar needs to be added.
While she's a cooking, get everything lined up in order to prevent Flash Rusting in between steps.
Unhook everything and stretch an old white tee shirt over a 5 gallon pail to see what comes out of your tank. I got 3 tablespoons of rust out and it wasn't that bad to begin with.
Right away dump in the 1 gallon/ half a box of Baking Soda and slosh it around. Dump it on the ground ( it's neutralized now).
Right away dump in 1 gallon of straight Distilled Water, slosh it around and dump on the ground.
Now you need to dry the tank out with paper towels, compressed air, hair dryer or heat gun.
Once it dry, you can either prep it further for a tank sealer or just use a light oil. I poured in 1.5 pints of Sea Foam, coated every surface, wrapped it in a plastic bag and stored it in my air conditioned house until I finish the top tank ( she's cooking as we speak ).
You can save the used White Vinegar and pour back into their original bottles.
I will post the few pictures that I have. If you want more detailed pictures, just ask.
Good luck and don't be a scared!

 

[jfheath]

While it is off, make sure that water drain tube is clear and protected. It runs from the outside of the filler neck, through the inside if the tank and out through one of the tubes at the bottom end. I just fill it with ACF50, and then drain it to leave a protective layer. It gets quite a lot if water through it if you ride in the rain.

 

[Jethro]

I used Por-15 by absolute coatings on a1969 cb175 &1970 Kawi 250 .xcellent results.enuff in kit for 2 tanks..I would recommend that you at least seal the tank , or it WILL rust.
www.por15.com 1-800-457-6715

 

[Jevers]

While it is off, make sure that water drain tube is clear and protected. It runs from the outside of the filler neck, through the inside if the tank and out through one of the tubes at the bottom end. I just fill it with ACF50, and then drain it to leave a protective layer. It gets quite a lot if water through it if you ride in the rain.

Thanks for the tip! I have it full of the White Vinegar now and will make sure to coat it. Jevers

 

[Jevers]

I used Por-15 by absolute coatings on a1969 cb175 &1970 Kawi 250 .xcellent results.enuff in kit for 2 tanks..I would recommend that you at least seal the tank , or it WILL rust.
www.por15.com 1-800-457-6715

Thanks for chiming in. I have been reluctant to use the tank sealers for fear of ruining the paint. You are absolutely right about it rusting again, so I'm going to order up a kit. I'll just have to be careful with the paint. I will post that process later. Thanks again! Jevers

 

[rwthomas1]

Never used POR tank sealer but quite familiar with their other products. Make sure to follow the instructions EXACTLY. Wear gloves, it takes many days to come off skin. Correctly applied, it's not coming off without a grinder.

RT

 

[Oldbikefixr]

Consider the electrolysis method. Similar to the method Jeevers found but you use a sacrificial piece of steel scrap, bolt, whatever that collects the rust. There are several youtube videos showing how to. Neither method will harm the paint finish if that's a concern. Lining products will damage paint.
At the end of either method, I dry the inside of the tank with an old hair dryer then coat the inside with something to prevent rust reforming, or use one of the tank lining products depending on the extent of the rust. Light rust, just oil the inside until you can return the tank to service. Heavy rust, line the inside.
I like both methods simply because there is nothing harmful used to cause disposal problems.

 

[cdnemsguy]

While it is off, make sure that water drain tube is clear and protected. It runs from the outside of the filler neck, through the inside if the tank and out through one of the tubes at the bottom end. I just fill it with ACF50, and then drain it to leave a protective layer. It gets quite a lot if water through it if you ride in the rain.

Hi John, I have read another post where you were talking about the drain tube from the tank fill. On the photo #1 above, which tube is the one from the filler neck? I assume at the 11 o'clock? If that is so seems strange they would go through that much to drain it through the inside of the lower tank. This is one thing on my bikes that I have never looked at or thought of, but not had an issue either.

 

[Jevers]

Consider the electrolysis method. Similar to the method Jeevers found but you use a sacrificial piece of steel scrap, bolt, whatever that collects the rust. There are several youtube videos showing how to. Neither method will harm the paint finish if that's a concern. Lining products will damage paint.
At the end of either method, I dry the inside of the tank with an old hair dryer then coat the inside with something to prevent rust reforming, or use one of the tank lining products depending on the extent of the rust. Light rust, just oil the inside until you can return the tank to service. Heavy rust, line the inside.
I like both methods simply because there is nothing harmful used to cause disposal problems.

Maybe I didn't make it clear, but I DID use a 5/16" Ready Rod as a sacrificial piece of metal. Just took it out this morning and cleaned it. Put her back in and resumed cooking. Jevers

 

[SMSW]

Drill a 5/16" hole in the center a put a piece of Ready Rod as long as possible

You can save the used White Vinegar and pour back into their original bottles.

What's a ready rod? Threaded rod?

I would think pouring the vinegar back into the original bottles would be an invitation for someone to use it in food prep. Unless you label it as such.

I'm not sure Sea Foam is a good rust preventative - even for a short term. An oily product would be better for temporary storage. Be sure to remove all of the oil before prepping the tank for coating.

 

[Jevers]

What's a ready rod? Threaded rod?

I would think pouring the vinegar back into the original bottles would be an invitation for someone to use it in food prep. Unless you label it as such.

I'm not sure Sea Foam is a good rust preventative - even for a short term. An oily product would be better for temporary storage. Be sure to remove all of the oil before prepping the tank for coating.

Yes, sorry, threaded rod.