Has anyone successfully de-rusted a bike fuel tank?
Discussion
Recommissioning a 600 SRAD for a friend and the tank is filthy inside. It’s been stood a good while and after draining it theres a layer of fuzzy surface rust in it.
I’ve skimmed youtube but there’s a million opinions on there.
Has anyone on here got first hand experience of a good technique or product for doing this?
I’ve skimmed youtube but there’s a million opinions on there.
Has anyone on here got first hand experience of a good technique or product for doing this?
I had a generator with a rusty fuel tank , I used a short length of chain like a bare bike chain , any liquid ,soapy water ,jizer etc and gave the tank a good shake ,drain ,rinse ,repeat , a few times , and eventually the tank was fairly free of surface rust inside ,mirror and torch or inspection camera for a look inside
I've successfully used the method outlined in this link on a few vehicles including a forty year old car that was stood for decades. I also used it on a 1980s Morini, sadly, once cleaned out, the tank leaked through a slightly perforated area, so be warned.
https://www.real-classic.co.uk/2015/08/31/petrol_t...
https://www.real-classic.co.uk/2015/08/31/petrol_t...
V1nce Fox said:
Janluke said:
Approx 3 years ago I used a product called Rosti tank rust remover. Its about £20 and Amazon, it comes in 2 bottles one rust remover , one liner. Straight forward to use and 3 years later its all good
Found one called Rostio? Is that it? If so looks simple. I watched this guy on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-uJy5StGuc
Edited by Janluke on Wednesday 12th July 20:25
I had a tank that wasn't crazy gone but did have a lot of surface rust on the inside. Tried a few basics (like vinegar) and got nowhere, fuel kept coming out orange and bike was hating life. Ended up removing the tank (pain in the arse because it was under the seat) and used Rainex Rustbuster on it (https://www.bondall.com/miscellaneous/ranexrustbuster/)
Basically put a load in and gave it a good shake, then let the tank sit in various orientations for 10-15 mins a side. Rinsed it through with the hose, then sprayed a bunch of WD-40 in to help get the water out, let it sit for a while, then finally filled it to the brim with petrol. Never had any rust in there since.
Basically put a load in and gave it a good shake, then let the tank sit in various orientations for 10-15 mins a side. Rinsed it through with the hose, then sprayed a bunch of WD-40 in to help get the water out, let it sit for a while, then finally filled it to the brim with petrol. Never had any rust in there since.
Just in case you don't know....the pump gaskets on this era Suzuki are a weak point. They're legendary on TLRs and I think the GSXR SRAD is similar. When you buy the gasket it will come with new bolts with sealant on them which you need to use. There's a torque sequence for the bolts which need to be barely tight, from memory 3ft/lb so not covered by most torque wrenches. But, even before you get that far make sure that the tank flange is perfectly flat, if the bolts have been overtightened in the past the threads will have pulled so you'll never get a seal. Good luck!
stang65 said:
Just in case you don't know....the pump gaskets on this era Suzuki are a weak point. They're legendary on TLRs and I think the GSXR SRAD is similar. When you buy the gasket it will come with new bolts with sealant on them which you need to use. There's a torque sequence for the bolts which need to be barely tight, from memory 3ft/lb so not covered by most torque wrenches. But, even before you get that far make sure that the tank flange is perfectly flat, if the bolts have been overtightened in the past the threads will have pulled so you'll never get a seal. Good luck!
Good to know, thanks for this. Thank you to all replies, bike is being built for a very good cause so much appreciated.
Spirit of salts.
NOTHING comes close.
Read about it in a classic bike mag. Previously tried electrolysis, citric acid, vinegar, molasses, drain cleaner and even filling with bolts and strapping to a cement mixer.
Seriously, it's utterly AMAZING how well and how QUICK it did it. Make sure to rinse out thoroughly dry and either line or coat with oil immediately after.
NOTHING comes close.
Read about it in a classic bike mag. Previously tried electrolysis, citric acid, vinegar, molasses, drain cleaner and even filling with bolts and strapping to a cement mixer.
Seriously, it's utterly AMAZING how well and how QUICK it did it. Make sure to rinse out thoroughly dry and either line or coat with oil immediately after.
Not a fuel tank, but I’ve used BILT HAMBER DEOX-C very successfully to clean up rusty donor parts for my kit car build. Make up the solution with warm water and I expect it will do a good job, but you’ll probably want to throw some other small metal parts into the tank to provide some abrasion as you agitate the tank.
Not a remover but a sealer for after: https://www.aceclassics.co.uk/products/flowliner-t...
Bit expensive as you get loads, but worked a treat for a mate of mine, now running E10 for a couple of years and no sign of peel
Bit expensive as you get loads, but worked a treat for a mate of mine, now running E10 for a couple of years and no sign of peel
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