Rusty bike fuel tanks

Always used the white vinegar option with a good flush with kerosine to hold tank while finishing the rest of project …. simple , quick and readily available in our town …

When you say Phosphoric acid, what strengh is best for rust removal?

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Id say it depends on how much of a hurry your in . Also the various brands would differ enourmously .

Get say 4 tubs & dilute 1:1 ( 0 ) to 4 or 8 : 1 , in steps , and throw in ' test samples ' , old pennies , rusty washers .
Or for really scientific types , cut pieces from the same rusty bar .

Id think diluted 24 hours to a week ( The $ 250 Redi Strip said a week on soft stuff or youd kill it .
But I throw in full strength - or used 2 or 4 : 1 Hydro to get past 1/4 of a 20 gallon tank . !

Tumbled and stood on edge , roatateing 1,2,3,4 ' ends ' then flat & inverted , repeated . GLARE , Empty ( catch in tub )
Refill leaving the GUNGE behind ( in the settled bucket ) & diluted to get sufficent . Hydro I think was 4 hours .
Comparable to that Kwacka Tank , Light scaley in parts - mainly on the big circular baffle - Hard to check blind side .
So went past minimum effort .
THEN ,
Refilled with the Phosphoric Id Found - same trip - dilute 1:1 odd , twist & turn for 2 or three hours - then diluted to half full
clowned around then 6 or 8 : 1 and left Full to the brim on edge overnight - Rinse Refill - shake - till all clean . THEN
some mild CLEAN stuff - THEN - ACTUALLY ( Ive put you crook ) Ive Got COOLANT / Anti freeze / radiator corrosion inhibitor
SITTING IN IT right now .
not acid ( SORRY FOR THE SLIP ) .



what ALL THE Model Aircraft Engine Types DO , Is Crock Pot in ANTI FREEZE .
A day or three and theyre ready to eat . oops . I mean clean as a whistle -
baked on gunge , light corrosion & debri .




Of course , youd want a large crock pot !

A Vintge car magazine - They used a 44 gallon drum , caustic pot ash , and a car battery . Left overnight hanging - greasy old worn out components came out like new and ready to fit ! . Well, almost , anyway .

ANY ACID SOLUTION you want to NEUTRALISE it Afterward . But i dont bother when using phosphoric normally . Baking Soda in warm / hot water - for little soldered ( ACID ) Model Aero Components .
Intrestingly ?? Soldering Flux - ACID , is Hydro or Phos based . the Later & Stainless Steel solders No Worries . Always boil to neutralise the oil or rinse in thinner & paint - as theyre fitted internally or
fuel tanks and suchlike - Unflushed , rinsed & oiled - Your Doomed .

Tornado said:

What are modern bike tanks lined with as rust no longer seems to happen on bike tanks?

Why is plating (Nickel or other) not used inside tanks for corrosion prevention?

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I was shocked to learn the old Kwacker had galvanneal sheet used. (I visually identified it where the paint is gone, having fabbed tons of the stuff back in the 80's.)


The only GOOD thing about E-10 fuel, has been the fact it absorbs the condensate that used to puddle in the bottom and sends it along to be burned. It eliminates the need for "drygas".