[62131]

I have an original 1932 fuel tank that is in really great shape except for the build up on the inside, I'm really wanting to use it to  save a little cash. I was wondering if any body has a suggestion on cleaning the inside and use of  the coating/sealers I've read about.

[TFoch]

I know Eastwood has this product http://www.eastwood.com/gas-tank-sealer-kits.html but I haven't used it.  My friend plans on using it this spring for a fuel tank in his vintage boat.

[themoose]

I've had good luck with having tanks cleaned by my local radiator shop. If you decide to use a tank sealer make sure that its resistant  to the alcohol that's  in today's gas. I had a friend who has some old sealer laying around and he used in a motorcycle tank he was restoring. After a couple of tanks of the alcohol laden gas the stuff turned to "Jello" and made a real mess of his fuel system.

Moose 

[62131]

Is a sealer really necessary if the tank is not leaking? 

[sammons]

Not if it's clean and no pin holes.

If you are not in a hurry, I put my '57 tankin the back of my pickup, put about a large coffee can amount of blow sand and 1/4 full of water. Drove around for two weeks flipped it over for another two weeks. After a month sloshing around it was shiney new looking inside.

[cocobolo]

Not if it's clean and no pin holes.

If you are not in a hurry, I put my '57 tankin the back of my pickup, put about a large coffee can amount of blow sand and 1/4 full of water. Drove around for two weeks flipped it over for another two weeks. After a month sloshing around it was shiney new looking inside.

Yes, I've heard of something very similar wherein you add either some very coarse sand or fine gravel and water to the tank and you and your best buddy give it a good shake. You do this until he's no longer your best buddy, by which time the tank should be clean.  A couple of beers should restore the friendship.

[62131]

My buddies drink way to much beer for that kind of payment

[cocobolo]

My buddies drink way to much beer for that kind of payment

Well then...after the 2nd or 3rd beer just water it down!

[FATnLOW]

Cleaned mine out by putting a tow chain inside of it and  shook  it around, ,trick is to make sure you have the chain end coming out of the filler tank secured so it won't get inside...cleaned mine out

[62131]

I'm thinking about plugging all the holes  partially filling with kerosene and putting steel punch slugs, old roller chain that have sharp edges and tying in in the bed of my truck and let ride awhile then flip it and let it ride some more. I travel about 75-100 miles a day.  Might be a little over kill but I would like to have it clean.

[sixball]

After knocking the big stuff loose some Rust Mort or Evaporust might be a good idea just to kill any remaining rust.

[cocobolo]

Fortunately for me, my tank is useless.  Looks like someone hit it with a shotgun blast.  A new tank will save all this cleaning trouble.

[62131]

My tank is in really great shape just some stuff stuck to the bottom.

[cocobolo]

Do you suppose if you applied some heat to the OUTSIDE of the tank that the junk would come off?  Just a thought.

[logride]

I'm with Moose, if you have a good radiator shop they can boil it out and put sealer in it. The protective coating will be gone after they clean it so save yourself future headache and line it.

I'm going to have to do this to my tank soon. It has a dent in it and the guy at the radiator shop said they usually pop out with some air pressure.

Dirty tanks have left me on the side of the road more than anything.