Tank etching question

[xssiveone]

I'm currently acid etching my tank(84 KZ550Ltd) in preparation for coating the inside. In the process, I degreased, and washed, the inside of the tank. I threw a handfull of washers in to scrape the sides and bottom thinking they would be easy to get out with a magnet. I managed to get 4 of them out, the other 6 are no where to be found, can't even hear them rattle around inside the tank.

Any thoughts on this as to where they might be sitting? I think they must have gotten wedged in somewhere. Going to try and see if I can look in with a mirror tomorrow. BTW, it's not the XS tank as I did that last year. This is of the Kawasaki. Can I just go ahead and wash the acid out and coat over the washers if they are still in there? (they might have gotten out when I was washing the tank out but I doubt it)

[wildbill]

getting washers out of gas tank

I thought about doing the same to the tank on my xs.Getting the washers out does pose a problem.Maybe take fuel petcock off and try to get them out that way if not to big.More than likely what is left in tank,moisture or what have you has got the washers in a suckion hold and won`t release.Use a air hose turn tank upside down,shake,some or all might come loose.Like a catsup commerical a test of patance. Good luck.

[xssiveone]

Hi Bill. Yes, that was exactly what it was... the moisture was causing them to stick to the inside of the tank. I actually spotted one stuck to the top of the tank by using a small swivel mirror and my flashlight. What a P I A that was!! Eventually got them all out and repeated the process, only this time I used a couple of short lengths of chain.

[Geezer]

I'd like to know what you used to etch the tank. I have a couple tanks that need the same treatment.

One thing I can tell you is that nuts and bolts make better scrapers for cleaning a tank. Also an in-line fuel filter is going to be more than worth the trouble to fit for any tank that was rusty.

Geezer

[xssiveone]

In the coating kit I purchase, there was a bottle of concentrated phosphoric acid. Mix it with ?? hot water and then pour the whole mess in the tank. Better in my opinion to fill the tank completely even tho it will dilute the acid even more but at least it is in contac with all surfaces. I have also heard of people useing Muratic acid and also vinegar. Careful with the muratic tho, works a LOT faster then the phosphoric does.

Good "how-to" article here How to use Kreem

[Geezer]

I’ll check into that kit. I’ve seen some real abominations done with kreem and I won’t touch the stuff. I’ve heard that POR has a tank sealer but I haven’t checked into it yet.

There used to be a kit from Yamaha used to clean tanks on bikes that had rusted during shipping (there was a rash of that in the mid 80's.) I haven't ever tried anything else and I don't think the stuff from Yamaha is available any more. It was pretty cool stuff, as I recall you’d fill the tank with the first solution, let it set for a while, drain it and then slosh around the other solution to neutralize the first stuff. If I recall correctly the first stuff mixed with gas not water. Also it didn’t hurt petcocks, I’d bet the other acids wouldn’t be kind to the aluminum in them.

Yamaha also had some amazing carb cleaner that mixed 50/50 with gas.

Geezer

Originally posted by xssiveone
In the coating kit I purchase, there was a bottle of concentrated phosphoric acid. Mix it with ?? hot water and then pour the whole mess in the tank. Better in my opinion to fill the tank completely even tho it will dilute the acid even more but at least it is in contac with all surfaces. I have also heard of people useing Muratic acid and also vinegar. Careful with the muratic tho, works a LOT faster then the phosphoric does.

Good "how-to" article here How to use Kreem

[Jeff]

Here is some info on the POR15 tank refurbishing products.

http://www.prp-porstore.com/faqtanks.html

[Geezer]

Cool, that POR stuff is exactly way I was looking for.

BTW, that link didn't work but I cot to the site by copying and pasting it into my browser. Strange.

Geezer

Originally posted by Jeff
Here is some info on the POR15 tank refurbishing products.

http://www.prp-porstore.com/faqtanks.html

[Jeff]

Here is another company that sells a tank sealer kit made specifically for motorcycle tanks. From reading the FAQ on their site..... it appears to be similar to the POR15 but they claim the unused portion can be kept.... unlike the POR15 which says it must be discarded. Nice thing it contains smaller amounts..... just right for a motorcycle tank.... and the price is reasonable.

http://www.hirschauto.com/acb/showde...t_ID=8&CATID=3