Cleaning Steel Tanks

[Mick Milakovic]

Hi All,

What's the best way to clean smudge and scale from the inside of a steel tank?  I wish it was, but it's NOT a Steel-Tanker!

Mick

[Bob Bean]

Half gal of muratic acid always worked for me.

Bob

1986 ISDE Italy
1987 ISDE Poland
1989 ISDE Germany

1970 125 Six Day
1973 100 Berkshire
1973 Jackpiner 175
1974 Penton 250 Harescrambler
1976 Husky 250CR
1981 Husky 250CR
1982 Husky 250CR
1985 Husky 400WRX
1985 Husky 400WR

[KJDonovan]

Mick,

I use a quart of acetone, 1lb of sheet metal screws and an old turn table (record player).  Bungee cord the tank to the turn table chuck in the screws and acetone, mount the turn table vertically, and set it at 33 for a an hour or so. Works great.

KD

Kevin J. Donovan
Foster, Rhode Island
72 Jack Piner (My Ride)
72 Six Day (Wifes Ride)
71 Suzuki TS125 (Project)

[Mick Milakovic]

Kevin, very clever!

Mick

[Gary Roach]

I saw this on the internet on how to clean steel tanks using electrolysis, but I have not tried it:

http://www.altelco.net/~jacil/clay/motorcycle/KElecSetup.html

[Gordon Brennan]

Sheet metal screws work great on metal, fiberglass and plastic! But make sure you count them, and the same number comes out that went in. I had one get stuck/wedged. If I didn't know how many I put in (100), I would have left it there, not knowing it.

[nsujeff]

Here's a tumbler I made out of scrap. I like using smashed automotive side window glass. Works pretty good on metal tanks as the glass has nice sharp edges. I also put in some kerosene to help break up the rust.
http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/nsujeff/?action=view¤t=MOV01304.mp4

Jeffrey P. Borer
Amherst,Ohio

[t20sl]

Kevin:
DANGER. You are but one spark away from the largest explosion you will never want to have.  NEVER use a flammable liquid.  Water will lubricate the screws fine.  Then clean with acetone and no bolts screws etc.  Remember they flew the space shuttle with a known defect until that one time.
Ted

[KJDonovan]

Ted,

You are so right, and I hate to admit it, but the explosive nature of acetone just never occurred to me.  Next time around I will skip the acetone and use some pinesol, that stuff is unbelievable at cutting crud, so it should work great!  

Thanks,

KD


Kevin J. Donovan
Foster, Rhode Island
72 Jack Piner (My Ride)
72 Six Day (Wifes Ride)
71 Suzuki TS125 (Project)