Important, I wont be installing the tank for another few days, so I dont want to fill it with gas. Vinylester is one of the best prevention materials available in the market. It is also near impossible to find a gas tank replacement, which is why every serious rider must know how to remove rust from motorcycle gas tanks using vinegar. Moto Gears is a place where motor bike and vehicle enthusiasts land on. Depending on the amount of rust, you may need to repeat this entire process 2-3 times before a clean metal surface is visible from the outside. 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. All Im saying is that you need to decide for yourself, is this worth it? Also, some paints (and inks) may use iron oxide pigments (usually orange or red). Rinse the tank several times to ensure all the residual mixture has been cleaned out. Once the six hours expire, the tank should get taken out of the vinegar. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, Motorcycle Anchor: How to Deal with Rust in your Motorcycle Gas Tank, "The Professional Motorcycle Repair Program;" The Professional Career Development Institute; 2000. In my opinion, as long as rust has not gotten through to the exterior of the tank, it can be cleaned. Do not empty the tank by riding until its empty. The primary cause of rust in a gas tank is the moisture that penetrates and remains inside the tank. You need an acidic solution. 5. Its a lot of effort, lets just say that. When he is not managing the parts department of a local, multi-line motorcycle dealership, Gilliland can often be found riding, writing or working on his motorcycle blog, Wingman's Garage. Allow the product to harden thoroughly before using the tank again. Fogged it totally with WD-40 (complete can) then mixed 20 / 30 engine oil with gas 70/30 mix ( 70 gas/ 30 oil ) sloshed it around end to end side to side. I use my arms. How To Remove Dust From Motorcycle Gas Tank With Vinegar? I'm in the process of restoring an old Honda, absolutely disgusting fuel tank My first attempt to restore the tank was a mixture of muriatic acid and hot water and then rinse out, then I learned about flash rusting. The acid doesnt care about what it corrodes: paint, human flesh, clothing, surroundings it doesnt matter. Lastly, you will have to let the sealer harden for one to two weeks before you can install and use the tank again. Join. Hook up one cable to the positive (red) and the other to the negative (black) terminal of the DC charger or battery. Greasers tank youll see in the photos sat for eight days, and probably could have gone longer with no ill effect. Doing so might cause an irreparable damage to your motorcycle tank. When done shaking, open the tank, see if the level of rust has decreased. An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. Petcocks are often made of pot metal. Otherwise, youre the one who decides if the cleaning effort is worth it. Mix a small ratio like 5:1 gas to oil. Well assume in this article that the structural integrity of your tank is uncompromised, but if it is, further surgery may be required up to and including cutting open the tank for further inspection and repair. Protect your gas tank from rust and corrosion using a chemical cleaner. 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!). Then add the hot water you pulled off the hotplate. Dont use apple or wine vinegar. (Ospho? What Materials Do You Need To Remove Rust From Motorcycle Gas Tank? Free shipping for many products! Take a flashlight and a mirror. Chances are, vinegar will still be present inside. After 24 hours you can see considerable amount of rust deposit around your anode. I also heard of a guy whod jack up the rear of his riding mower and use bungee straps to attach the tank to the rear wheel, then pop it into gear to slowly roll the tank round and round. Photo by Lemmy. For your safety, we do not recommend shaking the tank since this might create spillage or splash. Your email address will not be published. I guess some of you noticed a small amount of rust and got worried. While the acetic acid in vinegar de-rusts the surface, the oil aids in loosening the contaminants and prevents new rust from forming. He will be better off this way trust me. 2023 Suzuki GSX-R1000RAM3 (ABS) Standard Equipment & Specs Depending on the level of scale and rust in your tank, this process may take as long as a few weeks. To do this, add some sodium hydroxide (around half teaspoon) and stir well before draining. How to clean rust out of a motorcycle gas tank - RevZilla There will be a little left in the can and I will use that in a minute. until I see bright bare metal under that filler cap. If you dont mind draining it down the road, it can be a great way to keep the rust gone. If youre lucky enough, youll only see rust spots. 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. Youve cleaned your gas tank and left it for a few moments to catch up with something. You will need hand gloves to clean just like you needed while cleaning fuse box terminals. Move quickly with the hairdryer and set it on low heat. 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. To achieve this, the bike owner should soak the rusty metal object inside white vinegar for some hours, after which only wiping can remove every dust particle. 5. Once complete, one can use a spare towel to seal it. How to store the motorbike gas tank properly? It does not matter whether the damage results from a crash or an internal breakdown. Throughout this article, weve provided a step-by-step procedure for how to execute them. A gasket teamed up with a block-off plate you purchase or fabricate is usually the order of the day here. Yes, a rusty gas tank can affect an engine severely. Since its highly likely youll be doing this on a different day, before you go to flush, put a five-gallon pot of water on a stove or hotplate in the shop and get it hot. However, unlike phosphoric acid, 25% hydrochloric acid is readily available at any hardware store. Nope, not going to ignore. Generally, the newer a bike is, the thinner the sheet metal tends to be in the interest of saving weight and forming more complicated tank shapes. Use anti-corrosion products on bare metal to keep the moisture out. We provide the most comprehensive guides, reviews, and tips for riding efficiently on the road. You'll probably want to read through the whole thing before you get started. You are basically done. However, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the tank again after de-rusting. The gas tank can be cleaned from rust, you just have to know how to do it. Aerosol cylinder fogging spray ought to work too. If you are worried about forgetting a piece, tie them onto a string. After I give it a good shakin, then set the tank on its receptacle, and go into the shop and sip beer. Photo by Lemmy. Like a Polaroid picture, for those readers old enough to remember both the song I am referencing and the actual act of shaking a Polaroid snap. He has no need to carry around 40 gallons of gas until next January when he drives cross country. The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. Margaret Thatcher. You may see rust quickly reappear if you dont work quickly and/or the moisture content in the air is high enough. Currently, you can empty the tank for the last time. Whats The Difference Between MX And Enduro Boots? Spray full-strength vinegar on the affected area. Flush and neutralize Seal (optional) Assess your specimen Every tank differs in terms of its level of degradation. The fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from breaking down during storage and will prevent condensation from building up. Then a paint scraper can be employed to scrape away the rust. Now let it sit for about 24 hours. Thanks to all for your help. The idea here is to neutralize any vinegar left with the dish soap. Its a length of chain. For this, you should resort to petrol, since water might again promote the formation of rust. Vinegar is a mild acid, the chances that it will damage the tank are low. At least use a well-ventilated room, you dont want to be breathing in chemicals. I have pretty well hosed down two blocks and cranks with WD-40 and it didn't seem to work very well as a rust preventative. How to Prevent Rust in a Motorcycle Gas Tank | It Still Runs Rust is Iron Oxide. Watch the video a. Furthermore, motorcycles that are stored during winters with a half-filled gas tank are more likely to get affected from corrosion than the ones that are completely filled to the brim. Since Metal Rescue has been engineered to remove iron oxide, it may dissolve the pigment in these types of paints. Strip off all the items you used to seal the tank and empty it for the final time. Hi all: vinegar is acidic, you have to use baking soda with water. Use low heat, keep the gun moving, and use your fingers to feel parts of the tank to make sure nothing is getting too hot. Disconnect the connection and clean the anode (metal piece) every hour and replace it if necessary. Themotogears.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Be careful not to swallow it. Any excess sealant must be drained out immediately. Drain prior to use. He's currently got Tank A filled. After pouring the liquid, move the tank in all directions for around 5 minutes so that all areas are thoroughly covered with sealant. baking soda is what's used to clean up battery acid remember? 5 Steps To Clean Rust Out Of A Motorcycle Gas Tank I'd agree with the alternating tanks, but, he's in the Navy undergoing sub training, and he's not exactly flush with money. After the initial step, the next is to soak the tank in vinegar. Without proper consideration, one might end up damaging other parts. Everything you see on the blog are from what Ive learned over the decade. But as I said before, you assess the situation. Unstable fuel flow: When fuel flow is uneven, the acceleration level of your bike gets affected. When the gas tank of your motorbike is not kept away from rust it is at risk of the following: Those that wish to prevent their motorcycle tanks from rusting can take the simple steps described in the next paragraph. Posted a question here on GTAM for suggestions on Flash Rust. 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. Ive had good luck with silicone plugs and rubber or vinyl vacuum caps for small holes and bungs. You'll need to tank the tank off the motorcycle if it's still connected. Metal screws like lugs and nuts are the preferred choice. Not bad at all. Happy cleaning . As a result the engine can get overheated and get dysfunctional. We hope weve been able to help you with how to keep gas tank from rusting after cleaning it. (Electrolysis Method) Electrolysis is one of the best ways to remove rust from a motorcycle gas tank. Even if youre using comparatively gentle acid like vinegar, you dont want the acidic fumes building up indoors. Blow dry if necessary. However, these should only be used on fuel tanks that can withstand such kind of abuse. You can increase the duration depending on the level of corrosion. Many restoration projects can cease abruptly when the motorcycle tank is full of rust. Add a fuel stabilizer during periods of inactivity. Depending on the level of corrosion, this activity might consume an entire day. How To Remove And Replace Gas Tanks On Modern Motorcycles. It can be used in regular gas, two-cycle, and diesel engines. Thats why most people recommend replacing a rusty tank. To start the flow, suck on the other end until fuel starts flowing. Use a brush to agitate the sediment and dirt below the fuel line and in the gas tank. Cola: this is perhaps the most uncommon of all. 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. In order to clean the tank using dedicated products that are readily available in the market, you first need to thoroughly pre-clean the tank by throwing a handful of small steel nuts along with the solvent. Then you just need water to clean out the residues. Photo by Lemmy. Get as many as possible in various sizes. . I'm Robert Lozano A great passion for engineering has fueled my desire to share my skills and educate others on challenging engineering terms and topics. Photo by Lemmy. There are plenty of people who will disagree with me, and thats OK: theres more than one way to skin a cat. How to keep an empty, clean gas tank from rusting? - Grassroots Motorsports Old fatbobs tend to stay in service for a while simply because they were built to last. Note: Do not leave the acid in your tank for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. One does not need to go through much stress to remove the debris and dirt once the cover has been removed. Keep in mind, looking for a replacement part can take a while too. A well-painted and shiny motorcycle indeed tells a lot about the rider. Use a strainer to separate dirt from petrol which can be used later to rinse the tank. You would need no more then 1-2 gallons of fuel. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Start by removing the seals you used. Storing an Empty Motorcycle Gas Tank? (2023) So, the big question arises how to keep gas tank from rusting after cleaning it? DisclaimerEngineneeds.com is a participant in Amazon Associates Program. While writing an article, I am always learning and assessing myself. Photo by Lemmy. With the passage of time and the lack of proper maintenance, oxidation is inevitable. It doesnt need to be boiling, but it does need to be uncomfortably hot to the touch. The world needs those love big trucks. The other day everything was running smoothly, and your motorcycle was doing exactly what you wanted it to do, but recently your motorcycle started experiencing engine sputters and stalls every now and then when you start it up. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Its a bit of surface rust, so you cant really stop it. Materials needed for electrolysis rust removal: Scrap nuts and bolts. It probably works fine if you use your noodle. A flashlight, mirror, cell phone, and bore scope may all come in handy at this time. I got two of em, so I pick the tank up and shake until I run out of breath, open the filler up, and see how things look. How to Get Rid of Rust in Motorcycle Gas Tanks - The Kneeslider Design Johnny Greasers YG1 tank you see here had about 50 years of neglect and scale for me to contend with. George, High in the hills of Jersey Two Goldwings & a Honda Trail 90 In the air, Private Pilot. It removes rust and metal alike rather gently. These component helps the water to break down faster. But one major drawback of these types of tank de-rusting techniques is that the tank must be emptied and cleaned again at the end of the blasting process. FCW Off Jeep: Is It Important for Your Car? Hope you found our detailed guide on de-rusting the fuel tank insightful and helpful. This will allow the vinegar to work effectively. Top it up and let it chill out. The phosphoric acid based anti-rust that body shops use? They may not be that harmful, the smell can be objectionable, and having acid vapor near items that you dont need stripped is probably a bad idea. To treat, pour the mixture directly in your fuel tank and allow the mixture to soak for at least 45 minutes. Was just on the verge of drilling it out. Let sit for 1 hour, then scrub off with a non-scratch scrubber. This includes emptying the tank, flushing it, and letting it dry. After removing rust from the tank, the next step is to clean and dry it. Here's what we start with. First of all, its dangerous to ride with a rusty tank. Not rotted through, but definitely one of the more problematic tanks Ive wrestled with. Depending on the amount of rust, you may need to repeat this entire process 2-3 times before a clean metal surface is visible from the outside. Also, you should use compressed air to blow dry the tank before using it again. It can also clog the fuel filter which will mess up with the fuel flow. A lack of hot water can be caused by a variety of issues. Here you can see our tank prepped correctly, with all ports on the bottom side of the tank securely blocked off. I highly recommend using household vinegar, made from alcohol, usually known as white vinegar. Step 3: Hook up your battery to a charger, or take it inside and charge it during the winter. Prevent Rust In Your Motorcycle Gas Tank And Your Motorcycle - YouTube Use Tank Sealer As soon as you remove the rust, you'll need a Fuel tank sealer. Updated on March 6th, 2022 | By Mohit Chauhan. How To Remove Rust From Motorcycle Gas Tank With Vinegar Wendyedmunds It has been my experience that heavy deposit removal is best handled mechanically, and finish restoration is usually tackled chemically though thats not always the case.