I have a badly rusted gas tank and need to remove the rust inside of it. Will this work? Will anything bad happen like will it eat the metal? Thanks!
Well, YES, it will eat the metal…not the good metal, but the old, rusty stuff….but if it’s already weakened, it may eat thru and leave a hole, which will happen soon anyway. Removing rust from an old gas tank is not to be taken lightly, because of the risk of a fire or explosion. The metal can absorb gas over time, and heating it or a spark could set off fumes left over. This is truly a job best left to trained professionals if possible.
Anyway, you’re dealing with a chemical that is not normally mixed with gasoline, so you would have to rinse it thoroughly to make sure none is left inside the tank.
Other methods done in the past to remove rust is to use a big chain and water ( to prevent sparks), if the tank has no dampener sections inside of it. Best way is to take it to a radiator shop, and have them professionally remove the rust via acid bath, then coat the inside with a special coating to prevent it from happening again.
I assume it’s an antique vehicle gas tank that is hard to find? Be careful, if you intend to work on it no matter what, take precautions *( fire extinguisher handy, friend over with phone to dial 911 if something BAD goes wrong ( as you will be roasting, and won’t be thinking about dialing a phone just yet )). Little things like that it’s good to be prepared for. 
Anyway have fun with it.
- The Gremlin Guy -
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Do not even think of going there. Do yourself a favor and send the tank out to be redone or get a new tank.
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stay away from the bottom of that sink!!!!!! don’t mix chemicals that aren’t designed to do so, if it isn’t on the label saying OK with Gasoline chances are it isn’t! explosions are caused this way as well as toxic gasses. the other guy was right on the money remove it send it to a radiator shop that works on them and have it done by them.
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20 year experianced mechanic
clr is not designed for automotive use, i would check around your local part stores and see what they have to offer. i do however agree with, the other gentleman. it might just be time to replace the tank.
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Well, YES, it will eat the metal…not the good metal, but the old, rusty stuff….but if it’s already weakened, it may eat thru and leave a hole, which will happen soon anyway. Removing rust from an old gas tank is not to be taken lightly, because of the risk of a fire or explosion. The metal can absorb gas over time, and heating it or a spark could set off fumes left over. This is truly a job best left to trained professionals if possible.
Anyway, you’re dealing with a chemical that is not normally mixed with gasoline, so you would have to rinse it thoroughly to make sure none is left inside the tank.
Other methods done in the past to remove rust is to use a big chain and water ( to prevent sparks), if the tank has no dampener sections inside of it. Best way is to take it to a radiator shop, and have them professionally remove the rust via acid bath, then coat the inside with a special coating to prevent it from happening again.
I assume it’s an antique vehicle gas tank that is hard to find? Be careful, if you intend to work on it no matter what, take precautions *( fire extinguisher handy, friend over with phone to dial 911 if something BAD goes wrong ( as you will be roasting, and won’t be thinking about dialing a phone just yet )). Little things like that it’s good to be prepared for.
Anyway have fun with it.
- The Gremlin Guy -
References :
use the 3 step tank sealer kit from KBS Coatings to clean, derust & permanently seal it from further rust. Choose the right gallon size kit.
References :
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/Tank-Sealers_c_7-1-0.html