Cleaning varnish out of gas tank
 

the internet tells me everything from acetone to drain cleaner..E85..(not available in my state) so what have you guys used that worked?

I have used Lacquer Thinner in the past and it worked well for me.

I've never used the stuff but some people claim to have used CLR with good results.

I clean tanks at work with acetone, it works great and drys fast.

Lacquer thinner or acetone,
Throw in a handful of small nuts and or bolts.
and shake, shake, shake.
inspect and repeat if necessary.:beerchug:

Thank you guys, I happen to have a gallon of acetone leftover from a concrete countertop project.

If the tank has any rust inside of it, consider using a phosphoric acid wash.
It will leave a black iron phosphate coating that protects the metal.
I'm in the process of cleaning a 19 gallon tank from a 67 IH Travelall using this method.

Vinegar works good on metal tanks, I've used it. Works great on bolts too!

I use denatured alcohol. Is this a metal tank? If you add nuts or gravel as some may suggest, I would be concerned about promoting rust inside the tank. Might be a good time to seal the tank while you're at it?:bigthink:

https://www.amazon.com/KREEM-Gas-Tan...em+tank+sealer

More reading on this;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...882#post340882

:beerchug:

How do small nuts/bolts or gravel promote rust in a tank?? Its a non painted surface in there, it will rust only when water and air a present....... Has nothing to do with a cleaning method.


Tank liners can work, most don't. If they are applied correctly, and you buy good stuff, I have seen them work fine. I have also seen them peel and flake causing way more issues than they were ever worth. The OP didn't say the tank was leaking, so no need for them anyway. Don't ever line/seal a tank that doesn't need it.

I cleaned a few tanks using that method,but if you get some of your nuts stuck behind the baffles,it will become a lengthy process removing them,plus any rust,dirt or termites you dislodge become stuck behind the baffles,funny thing the later model 73 tanks have no baffles which baffles me....

Wow that is baffling!
I've never gotten my nuts stuck too, or behind a baffle, guess it could happen.
Don't think it would hurt anything other than it might be rattling if they became dislodged.
Most small tanks I've encountered are unbaffled.
1/4" nuts seem to work well, but I've used rocks & bolts over the years also.
I guess you could get your rocks out if you shook it vigorously.
Oh my, I better quit, it is beginning to read like a romance novel.:biggrin2: