How do I strip out an old bad tank seal job?

[Joe Suzuki]

I'm looking for advice on how to deal with an old bad tank seal job. Inside and out, they did a shitty job and now I want to fix it right. I can deal with the weird clear epoxy on the outside, but the unknown seal job on the inside I'm not sure how to deal with.

 

[Joe Suzuki]

Nothing? ??? Crickets? Nobody has ever had to deal with some PO's sad sack attempt at a leaking tank? The tank is in great shape other than the chemical compounds liberally applied all over. There are no dents, no dings, so I don't want to toss it, I want to fix it. But fixing it means somehow getting out all of the sealer crap from the inside and welding it up properly, then resealing it. Anyone ever have to try to get cracked and loose tank sealer out? Do any chemicals attack that stuff?

 

[Sonreir]

A few cups of acetone along with a handful of screws.

Shake, drain, rinse, repeat.

 

[Tim]

Before you go too far, you might want to consider why they put so much crap on the tank. Any indication that it might leak? Some people actually use Kreem (which is what that looks like) to seal pin-holes in tanks, which it really isn't for.

You might be uncovering a useless tank.

 

[VTNick7]

I didn't think you could strip the inner lining to a bad seal job... And if there is a way, I can't see it being easy. hahaha acetone and screws should be a fun time!

 

[joea]

I have never done it but believe the only way to release sealers is to boil tank as in a radiator shop if you can locate one that still does it…..the other consideration is what material is in it now, some cheap (kreem)sealers may be broken down with MEK or acetone but may take a while and still not remove all of it even with screws, nuts ,diamonds ,opals, rubies, etc added… i would first do a leak check, you will need to install a plug into the filler hole(expansion plug works on some ) and make an adapter up for the petcock mount, then add 2 psi of air, you can submerge tank for quick visual or if you have a dual gauge like a leak down tester shut off air and see if it holds air for 10 minutes or so and also spray some windex ( it's a good leak check ) around base and fittings…if there are not any leaks i would leave the inner sealer alone ,make sure your petcock has an internal screen and keep an eye on it..it may delaminate after a while but still may not cause a problem on your bike…other option is to buy another tank on e bay, there may be dozens of them for next to nothing….joe

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Judging how the bottom of the tank looks closer to swiss cheese than something that would hold petrol, I'd seriously think about shelving that tank and getting another before spending too much time, effort, and $$ on that one. :

 

[Joe Suzuki]

Well, yes, the tank had some pinhole leaks at some point in time. Some PO applied a clear epoxy to the exterior of the tank and a sealer to the interior, I'm not sure in what order. If I can get the crap out of the inside, then I can sand down the epoxy on the outside and weld repair any pin holes. I have more time and fab skills than money, so I'll give it a go with acetone or equivalent before declaring it a loss. Thanks all for the comments! I'll post a follow up of what I discover.

 

[bradj]

Pm big rich he will know what to do