petrol tank clean

[BENCLARK]

hi z fans

whats the best method for cleaning the inside of a petrol tank??

Back in the early eighties i seem to remember using pea gravel, counting the gravel in and out using fuel as an aggregate

any advice welcome

Thanks

Ben

[KeithZ1R]

Cheap full sugar coke and Acid based toilet cleaner 3:1 leave for seven days rinse with white spirit or turps, remove the tap and sender (if fitted )or it wil destroy them

[Pauldonjuan]

Hey, I've found electrolysis works a treat for me every time. Very simple and effective.

[Mathh]

Hey, I've found electrolysis works a treat for me every time. Very simple and effective.

I agree, I have done all my tanks with this method... Then phosphoric acid to prevent it from rusting again...

[scott]

The Harpic and coke method works surprisingly well. Spotless inside when finished. Importantly it's disposable via the drain and not some chemical nasty that requires proper disposal.

[Ultim8pc]

I use phospohoric acid.

[Andrew_s]

What's the state of the paintwork, are you intending to have it repainted?

If not, be careful on what product you use otherwise you may damage the existing paint.

[ZedHead]

The active ingredients are dilute Phosphoric Acid in cola and dilute Hydrochloric Acid in Harpic

The Hydrochloric removes rust while Phosphoric converts it to a stable material ferric phosphate.

Bio preparations are less hazardous and work well.

[scott]

So long as you get no over spill things should be fine. I treated my A2 tank which was fully painted etc, i just made sure during the filling process that it did not bubble over. Don't let it bubble over!!!

[BENCLARK]

Thanks to all for very helpful advice.

what would be the best method to seal up the sender and fuel tap recesses.

buy a couple of donor parts and fit them??

[scott]

I made plates with drilled holes for the bolts then cut some gasket to size.

[johnA]

citric acid removes rust really well and wont damage your paint if you spill any.

[ZedHead]

citric acid removes rust really well and wont damage your paint if you spill any.

I like that!

FYI the acidity of the Phosphoric Acid in Cola is only around 0.017%. I am not too sure that sugar ads much to the process. Unless you intend to drink it after

[Blackseven]

Bilt Hamber Deox C is made for this job and worked well for me.

Afterwards I neutralised it with Acetone (cheap Tesco Nail Polish remover) and then swilled some WD40 round the inside to protect it until I was ready to use it.

[johnA]

i think deox c is just re branded citric acid with the price bumped up a bit.