Rust free tank interior

[xt addict]

I know its probably been mentioned on here before somewhere, but i thought i might mention it anyway, i have recently acquired a pair of 3aj tanks from a breakers, one interior was good and the other had lots of sh*t flailing around when it was shaken, so after being mugged on a restore and rust preventer on the original tank (it has been back twice and has extra dents on it i have had a full refund) i decided to try the white vinegar method, i did ponder nuts a bolts but the tank doesnt allow stuff to be shaken out so easily, down to the local supermarket and obtained 44 500ml bottles of vinegar, had loads of strange looks off people,lol
Anyway i have just cleaned and flushed the tank several times to find it looking rust free, i used "she who thinks she is boss" hairdryer to aid the drying checked inside the tank and its all shiny, on bike and petrol inside already, all flowing clean through the filter, just got to fit new fuel lines and pump ( i replaced everything in between the tank and carbs, even the petrol taps, going to carry on once this bloody snow rubbish goes and the temp goes up a degree or two.

I used distilled white vinegar cost was £17uk, and to stop it rusting again........ keep putting petrol in and use the bike!

[marcm]

I've learnt something today,how long did you leave it in for?

[Mezo]

Interesting, Danny had also mentioned molasses as well for cleaning out rust & shit, anyone tried that?

And as for the nuts & bolt trick, i had heard that before but using 1/4 inch drywall screws instead.

Mezo.

[xt addict]

its a pain in the back end to get any loose rattly bits out because of the filler neck and the lower skin of the tank.
I put it in saturday afternoon and emptied it about 5pm monday, it would be down to how bad the rust is, but dont leave too long, it might do nasty damage, you have been warned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i saw someone use malt vinegar but it left a brown film on the metal, distlled white doesnt leave any film at all, i am going to do another tank after i have stripped it, it has a fair bit of surface rust, i will do before and after pics of this one, think i will check the 550 tank, hasnt been used since summer '11, but i wont hesitate to go the white vinegar route again.
just got to polish some light scratches out of some side panels next oh and try to get the black coating off the rack and h/lamp frame, a blow torch didnt touch it, any ideas??

i am going to suss out a photobucket account in the next couple of days and post some pics, its not a rebuild or restore, just a replenish until i have all the bits i need for a top to bottom restore.

[itchywheels]

Battery acid. Years ago when I was in the motor trade we use to save all the acid out of the old batteries. I remember putting it on E type spoke wheels that were rusty as f**k. It saved hours and hours of cleaning time > You need rubber gloves ect ect

[Mezo]

I should have mentioned getting them out, ive read threads where guys tie em on on a bit of string for that very reason.

Mezo.

[xt addict]

itchy, i have a great tale about battery acid... my mate had a 750/4 honda, the batt never held a charge and my mate was always skint (so a new one was out of the question), it had charged and he took great delight showing me how charged by putting a mahoosive screwdriver on one terminal and a dinner fork on the other, he was quite taken by the massive arcing going on and the battery exploded on one end, the acid cleaned the kitchen walls, cupboards and fridge really well, they had never been that white before.
Now at the time i couldnt stop laughing as i had told him he would fubar it, his missus wasnt very happy (she never was,lol) but it stayued fully charged and was on the bike for a further year

[xt addict]

A quick update regarding the white vinegar for rust removal, it works a treat, i have filters on both taps and they are gunk free as are the filters on the tank side of the petrol taps.
Job done and nice and cheap, since filling the tank no rust has re appeared, i have another 3aj tank to do its a little bit worse but i will see how well this one comes out

[Mezo]

Superb, im going to give this a go as well, i have a real, no i mean a real shitty 34L tank here (Actionman & Bernieboy will testify) that may come good with vinegar?

Mezo.

[Danjet600]

here's an example of using molasses and water 50/50 ratio

old rusty chain looking pretty sad



so i used a wire brush and degreaser to remove any oil and grease, put it in the molasses mix and wait
this is after 5 days, you can see the rust starting to turn a black color


and these are after 8 or 9 days




you have to wash the molasses off with soapy water but is a cheap and effective rust remover