Petrol tank clean and coat services

[Kit352]

Anyone know of a company that can clean out an old petrol tank off a motorcycle that has rust and remnants of an old liner and then recoat it with one that's better with modern fuels? I need to protect the paint work so that adds a bit of complexity. As far as I know the tank has never leaked and the liner is so poor now I'm pretty sure it's not going to leak once removed.

Ideally they would be in the surrey area but if I have to travel to drop it off then I will.

Conversely I could give it a go myself but the old liner removal worries me. I think it's best for a pro.

[alfaspecial]

If you do have a go yourself

https://www.frost.co.uk/?s=petrol+tank+repair&...



You could get a better price by searching around, Frost are expensive.

[Kit352]

If I do attempt it myself that's the kit i would use for sure.
My problem really is the cleaning. It's pretty rusty in it and the old liner is a mess. I got a few chunks of it out but ultimately I need to strong enough chemicals to get the liner out then the rust and then a cleaner. I tried industrial strength acetone on the bits of liner I got out and it didnt do anything to it. I'm thinking some sort of acid now.

[Hedgehopper]

I don’t know how you would remove the liner. However, many years ago I cleaned a scaled up scooter tank by pouring in a cupful or so of paraffin and a handful of sharp driveway gravel followed by a good long vigorous shake. It worked for me.

[Kit352]

Yeah, I've heard of using rocks, screws, chain etc. All for rust removal. The liner is the tough part which is really why I want it to go to a pro.

[spaximus]

Caustic soda might help. Might be an idea to find a local radiator specialist, they usually have a hot tank for soaking rads in that might shift it.

Other thought I just had is one of the vapour blasting firms might have a way of getting inside it.

If it has been previously sealed with an Eastwood product might be worth sending an email to see if they can advise you

[paintman]

Random google: https://www.biketankrepair.co.uk/

[Kit352]

paintman said:

Random google: https://www.biketankrepair.co.uk/

I saw them too. It's actually one of the only companies I can find that will clean and linez
a tank. I was hoping to have a few more options.

[austina35]

aaronradiator.co.uk

Good reputation

[Kit352]

So I went to these guys. They claimed to be experts. Drove 2 hours to get it to them.

http://www.motorcyclerestorationcompany.com/landin...

They absolutely ruined a 100 year old tank. It's completely useless now. It has inches of the liner in it. It's so heavy now probably gained 20+kg. I cant even get much gas in it there is so much extra sealant in it.

Stay the hell away from these hacks. It will be decades before I find another one of these tanks.

[austina35]

did you casll aaron radiators?

they will save your tank. they are one of the best in the south.

[Kit352]

The radiator shop couldnt do the initial clean out and seal with out destroying the paint job so I took it around to see how could. I settled on the motorcycle restoration company in essex as they promised this and that and give a warranty with it. They did not scratch the paint job but the inside is a mess. It now holds very little gas and it does not flow around it. There are pockets of hardened sealant prevent the fuel from swashing around.
I am so mad about this. I think the tank is done for.

[alfaspecial]

Sorry to hear of your problem.
B. annoying to be let down.

Trying to be proactive how about some lateral thinking...
Could you line the tank with a motorcycle fuel cell- type device or even use an auxiliary tank, in the short term at least (you might be able to source a replacement).

https://www.xlmoto.co.uk/mc-parts/frame--chassis-p...
or
https://www.toolstoyou.com/sealey-ms029-motorcycle...


Expensive but racing cars have bag tanks - could you get one made up to fit inside tank (I understand you don't want to damage the existing paint).

[Kit352]

There is literally no room left for anything really. It was a small tank to begin with and now its just minuscule. It was a 2 gallon tank and I bet it's less than 1/2 gallon now.