daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 4, 2023 20:18:50 GMT
Can anyone recommend use of tank sealers and any experience with particular make. Not for holes but to seal against rust. Seems I did not get all the rust out when I cleaned it a while back, so looking at kits for rust removal and sealant/coating.
Thanks,
Dave.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 5, 2023 10:25:07 GMT
I've been reading up a bit more on sealants/coatings and seems you can cause more issues if it does not coat well. So I'm wondering do I just clean out with a stronger acid (used a strong vinegar previously) and leave as metal or go for a sealant brand with good reviews? Caswells seems one with good reports.
Interested in thoughts of those who have experience on tanks.
Thanks,
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ian
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Post by ian on Jul 5, 2023 18:57:26 GMT
I've sealed a couple of tanks with PoR 15 with mixed results. I'd already soldered up the pinholes, but wanted some additional protection. It worked ok with one tank, but not so much with the other which had been much rustier to start with. I think the PoR 15 didn't stick to well to some of the rusty bits, which carried on rusting into more pinholes. I think you have to make sure the inside has to be very clean to ensure the sealer does it's job properly. Another worry is if you get it wrong & there is a leak, the sealer will make a repair using heat like welding or soldering difficult.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 5, 2023 20:24:32 GMT
Thanks Ian. I saw a YouTube video on some who had a nightmare with POR 15 as it all broke off. Probably did not have good prep.
I don't have any holes to seal, just thought it would better corosion protection. I'm now wondering if I just need to have another (better) go at cleaning it and leaving it bare. ?
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ian
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Post by ian on Jul 6, 2023 12:23:24 GMT
A few people on here have said they've sealed perfectly good tanks for safety; I guess it's just finding the right stuff.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 10, 2023 14:00:43 GMT
Cleaned tank out at weekend using Evapo Rust (quite expensive stuff, but can be reused). Works well and cleared the rust in short time. I left overnight to be sure as it does not do anything to the base metal.
It was not too heavily rusted it seems and not that much debris came out and all looks clean from what I can see with my telescopic torch.
Will leave at that and no need to risk coatings.
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Post by paulpg36 on Jul 11, 2023 8:51:25 GMT
Cleaned tank out at weekend using Evapo Rust (quite expensive stuff, but can be reused). Works well and cleared the rust in short time. I left overnight to be sure as it does not do anything to the base metal. It was not too heavily rusted it seems and not that much debris came out and all looks clean from what I can see with my telescopic torch. Will leave at that and no need to risk coatings. What size did you buy? One litre is probably far too small so I suppose the 5 litre is the one to get? As you say, quite expensive. |
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chris55bike
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Post by chris55bike on Jul 11, 2023 9:21:12 GMT
You could just take it to www.motorcycledentremoval.co.uk/, he did my tank for my 250. All sealers will eventually break down and cause more issues. Andy actually cleans your tank then zinc plates it. Yes, it is more expensive but its totally clean and rust free. |
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jul 11, 2023 13:52:01 GMT
Cleaned tank out at weekend using Evapo Rust (quite expensive stuff, but can be reused). Works well and cleared the rust in short time. I left overnight to be sure as it does not do anything to the base metal. It was not too heavily rusted it seems and not that much debris came out and all looks clean from what I can see with my telescopic torch. Will leave at that and no need to risk coatings. What size did you buy? One litre is probably far too small so I suppose the 5 litre is the one to get? As you say, quite expensive. I got the 5 litre, at around £50 it's quite expensive, but you can re-use until it becomes really contaminated. Using a strong vinegar will cost around £20 for enough to fill the tank completely, but I found that takes quite some time to clear the rust (and that's why I had some left in). With 5l of the Evapo Rust I let it soak for a couple of hours different sides, although most of the rust was in bottom 3rd of tank, so it had more time there. Definitely cleaned it off well. They recommend you flush it out with water after cleaning as any particles could bond back to the clean metal if left too long to dry. Of course you need to get all the water out and dry before use. I then flushed out with a paraffin and then petrol to make sure I had got any moisture and rust debris out. |
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willy3pigs
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Post by willy3pigs on Jul 11, 2023 14:41:57 GMT
Many years ago, I did the tank on my son's Garelli Tigercross that he used off-road. I went with brick acid ( which I had at hand) which worked well, and there was no hanging around waiting for it to work like with vinegar that's for sure. Then several flushes with water, then methylated spirits which as any practised alcoholic will testify mixes nicely with water, hence it neutralizes and removes any remaining water. Frequent tanks full of premix two stroke stopped any return of the rust after that..
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Post by marktrower on Jul 11, 2023 19:19:30 GMT
i have 6 brit bikes they all have sealer in none have failed ,no1 you need to clean the tank if you rust inside you need to remove it an treat the area with rust isolator no2 the longer you leave the sealer before you put petrol in the tank the better.its a long time now i did my last tank i cannot remember what i used.a good tool i got was a endoscope that fits to my smart phone its nice to see what youre dealing with
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ian
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Post by ian on Jul 11, 2023 19:41:22 GMT
I used brick acid on my tanks & it does get rid of the rust well. The tank will flash rust again quite quickly, so you have to be quick flushing it afterwards. I used diesel then put in some 2 stroke oil & swished it around now & again for a while. On my 250NB, I'd soldered up just a couple of pin holes so I never bothered lining it & it was still pretty rust free when I sold it 10 years later.
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willy3pigs
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Post by willy3pigs on Jul 12, 2023 11:07:12 GMT
I used brick acid on my tanks & it does get rid of the rust well. The tank will flash rust again quite quickly, so you have to be quick flushing it afterwards. I used diesel then put in some 2 stroke oil & swished it around now & again for a while. On my 250NB, I'd soldered up just a couple of pin holes so I never bothered lining it & it was still pretty rust free when I sold it 10 years later. What flux did you use to get the solder to take, and did you use an electric iron or proper gas flame heated sheet metal workers soldering iron. |
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ian
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Post by ian on Jul 12, 2023 19:27:11 GMT
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Post by duffer on Jul 12, 2023 19:56:02 GMT
Now THAT is very nice work 👏
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