|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-18-2022, 09:22 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
|
Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
It’s been 35 years since I last cleaned and sealed a Model A gas tank. At that time, I used products from the Eastwood company, and the gas tank has been trouble-free ever since.
I’m ready to clean and seal the tank on my current project - what current products work well ? Many thanks - Jim |
01-18-2022, 09:32 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,789
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
I like Hirsch- the white stuff.
they use it in planes........ others will suggest diff products. of course, you can possibly use no sealer, if you put gravel or a chain in it and have it spin for a day or two. A HF cement mixer can do that or a handy electric motor hooked up to a round piece of plywood....... |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-18-2022, 09:38 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,131
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Jim if Eastwood still has the same stuff why change what you know works?
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done |
01-18-2022, 10:42 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,179
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Does Por-15 make a sealer? There is paint is tuff as nails and I'd assume their sealant would be the same. I've never used it.
|
01-18-2022, 10:49 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,431
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
There are several sources for these products and most are the came thing. The kits they sell will generally give enough sealer but they can be short on the cleaning products. If a gallon of cleaning and etching solution seems to be enough then I purchase two gallons to make sure. Most use a zinc/phosphoric acidic solution to remove the corrosion and model A tanks have a lot of nooks and cranies in them due to the internal baffles. They are likely one of the most difficult tanks to clean and seal of all the tanks I've ever worked on. A person can't see inside well enough to tell if the whole thing is coated or not. The corrosion hides in the most difficult areas to get to.
Some tanks are better off if they are opened up along the original weld lines so that a person can repair all the ills that are lurking around inside. They like to crack anywhere rivets have been put in or around stiffeners for the steering column support on early tanks. Severely pebbled spots can be cut out and metal repaired before re-welding the tank back together. There are several threads about this on here if a person does a search or Google searches. |
01-19-2022, 09:09 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
From a chemistry perspective, cleaning and etching steel with phosphoric acid and zinc salts is well-known chemistry that works. Although I don’t know if the polymeric coating used for sealing the tank has changed, recent product reviews are positive. Thanks to all - Jim |
01-19-2022, 09:43 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,897
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Aircraft Spruce has a lot of products for gas tanks that are used on aircraft but adaptable to cars. See https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=6859
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
01-19-2022, 10:28 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Upstate New York
Posts: 1,160
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
I sealed my tank 14 years ago using the three step POR-15 process. It's been perfect since then.
__________________
AL in NY |
01-19-2022, 11:40 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,415
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Rad shop did a couple for me a few years ago back in MI.
|
03-03-2022, 11:16 PM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Do I have to remove the gas tank to clean it properly?
|
03-05-2022, 01:11 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,513
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
From my experiences, ....Yes.
|
03-05-2022, 02:11 AM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 160
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Quote:
Fearless |
|
03-05-2022, 09:03 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,431
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Aircraft can't really be compared to automobiles that have steel pressings for fuel tanks. Nearly all aircraft have rubber fuel cells in the modern era. They have large enough access panels to remove the bladders for repair or replacement when the need arises. Those aircraft that have metal pressings are generally older aircraft and they are made mostly from aluminum. Wet wings, are fuel cells that use the wing as the tank but every joint has to be sealed with products like Proseal PS890-B or PPG PR1422-B1/2. There are other brands such a Flamemaster Chemseal CS3204-B1/2 as well. They are all expensive and they have to be applied to areas inside the tank to do the job. This requires access in order to properly clean the area and re-seal it if it ever starts to leak and they all will eventually leak.
|
03-07-2022, 08:54 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,099
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
A little O.T. but if your tank appears to be clean - no sediment in bowl, is there an additive that will help prevent problems? I fill it to the brim after each drive.
John |
03-07-2022, 09:09 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,431
|
Re: Cleaning and sealing a gas tank
Removing as much dead airspace as possible in the top of the tank is always a good idea. This keeps condensation from forming in the tank and reduces the area of the tank that can corrode. Keeping a car out of the elements is also a big help. If climate is controlled in the storage area or garage, then the chance of condensation reduced to almost nil and moisture content in the air is also reduced a good bit.
Water in the tank is destructive to motor fuel and especially gasoline with ethanol in it. |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|