Rust in the tank

[bcamazine]

What is the best way to remove mild to moderate rust inside the tank?

 

[Tim]

Grab some Metal Rescue and give that a shot. Run inline fuel filters as well.

 

[Rich Ard]

White vinegar works as well but takes longer.

Either way rinse well afterwards and coat with oil to avoid flash rusting.

 

[Sonreir]

50/50 mix of CLR and water. Between two quarts and a gallon is fine.

Toss in a few handfuls of drywall screws and then seal up the tank. Wrap it in a couple of thick blankets and toss it into the clothes dryer (no heat) for an hour.

 

[SONICJK]

Youll get 1,000,000 different answers.

Overall the answer is acid. You need to dissolve iron oxide, so you need acid.
Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid, CLR, "The Works") ,phosphoric acid (Naval Jelly) , acetic acid (Vinegar)

Any of the above will work.

Metal Rescue and EvapoRust are very similar non acid chelation agents based on EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate)
And work very well.

And then theres Electrolysis....also a good method.


I like muriatic myself. Its very fast and simple.

 

[The Wheel]

Throw a bunch of pennies or screws in the tank (helps to keep track of how many you put in) then wrap it in a few blankets and pop it in the dryer. It's going to be noisey but it'll work. ;D Rinse it out well and let it dry then coat it with Red Coat.

 

[rocketman]

Definitely do screws,bbs or something first then soak it in milkstone remover from tractor supply for 2 days and it will look like brand new! I did a 4.5 gallon tank with 2 gallons msr and 2 gallons water for the two days and was very impressed. Its a slightly dilluted phosphoric acid

 

[fresh_c]

Electrolysis and por15.

 

[JRK5892]

i use pea gravel and gas... shake the shit out of the tank for a while and it works great... I know some guys use bolts and screws in there as well.

 

[SONICJK]

Like I said
1,000,000 different answers

 

[timeconsuming]

Was wondering about this recently, as I cleaned my tank a bit and have what I can only assume is 'flash' rust, as in a thin layer from not putting a coat of anything in there after cleaning...

Tips for coating the tank anyone? Pour something in there and shake it up? Sorry for the layman question.

 

[SONICJK]

Yup,
put a little gas and two stroke oil in there and shake it all around after you use a little acid to get that rust out.