Fuel tank restoration cleaning it out

[Kermitsbog]

I've picked up a 2001 CB 500 which has been stood in a garage for 5 years as a little project to keep me busy.

The biggest nightmare (so far) is the tank. The last owner left fuel in it and had got it resealed with some cheap crap that has started disintegrating.

It's a bit rusty inside but nothing too bad from what I can see through the fuel cap hole however this sealant shit is stuck fast at the bottom. Obviously I can't get my hand in there so have tried a couple of things I read online; drain cleaner, white vinegar & 1500 ball bearings (which are going to be great fun getting out )

So far nothing is shifting it, I want to get it to a point where I can reseal it with POR 15.

Any suggestions?

[stinkwheel]

Source a second hand one in decent nick??

Sounds like a total pain in the arse.

You're looking about £50 for the POR15 kit and how much time and effort have you expended already.

What will shift the old stuff depends on what it is. It might not be shiftable at all. By definition, a tank liner is designed to be impervious to most solvents.

What does it look like?

If it's an epoxy based system, acetone MIGHT move it. It will dissolve anything rubber or plastic too.

EDIT: Magnet on a string for the ball bearings.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

Heat gun on the arse of the tank and soften the epoxy. Then peel it off.

Maybe a huge hassleblad.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Kermitsbog]

Haha I have considered setting fire to it!

Acetone sounds like a good idea! That's basically nail varnish remover isn't it? Or should I try source some pure acetone - hope I don't end up on a terrorist watch list lol.

I've managed to get a pic with some colour adjustment.

It's weird stuff, the thinner bits are like a rubbery skin, pale yellow, almost translucent. Thicker chunks have come loose, they are hard and brittle, dark yellow and pitted with bubbles.

[stinkwheel]

Maybe horrifically badly applied petseal?

Looks like there was moisture present when it was applied. Utter dryness is the key to success when using any of those products.

You can buy big tubs of acetone off ebay for next to nothing. It is used in volume for cleaning up/removing epoxy resin, I'm sure it has other uses too. I have a 5l container for canoe building purposes. I had to strip 3 layers of epoxy fibreglass off 1/4 of my 16ft canoe using a heat gun, putty knife and acetone because one of the helpers had cocked up the mix of resin and hardener and it hadn't set properly. A very deeply unpleasant task!

Do not get epoxy resin on your skin, it can cause some nasty reactions and people become sensitised to it. Even to the point of anaphylaxis. It is even worse if thinned with acetone. Wear butyl rubber or PVC coated gloves if you're going to get any on you. Acetone even attacks nitrile gloves. They work against splashes but go floppy and brittle. Latex just vanishes.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kermitsbog]

Sir you know your stuff!! I'll give that a go as see how we get on.

I'm loathed to buy a new tank if I can help it. I'd rather try a few DIY things first.

A local garage said they could give it the whole POR 15 treatment for £170 but that sounds expensive.

If I get really stuck might see how much they will charge just to clean it out, I expect they will have access to stronger commercial chemicals too.

Cheers!

[stinkwheel]

[Kermitsbog]

Just done some Googling on Petseal and it kinda makes sense with ethanol/left standing a long time. I've dumped a couple of pots of acetone nail polish remover into it (Mrs will go mad when she finds out )

There seem to be quite a few ideas for getting rid of petseal, cellulose seems to be one.

I think using the POR15 stuff seems the easiest, loads of positive reviews online too.

[Easy-X]

Worth noting that nail varnish remover is basically acetone decanted into smaller bottles for a high margin.

I only buy it by the litre but it's cheap as chips in a bland bottle with a safety warning sticker.
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[MCN]

[A100man]

Do you know for sure it's got holes in it? If not de-rust with Phosphoric acid and be done.
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Now: A100, SRX250, XJ598, FZ750, SL1000

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600, Skorpion, GT 250

[Riejufixing]

[2Hondas]

FYI you can also buy Acetone by the litre at places like Selco,
https://www.selcobw.com/cure-it-acetone-1tr

Don't let your partner remove her nail polish with it, it'll probably do very nasty things to your skin.
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Current - 2010 Kawasaki ER-6n - Green
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[Polarbear]

I'd try anything acidic or alkaline.

Oven cleaner, battery acid etc.

What have you got to lose.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[MCN]

[A100man]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - get rid of the old crap first, then de- rust but don't put any more 'crap' (sealing gunk) in unless there are holes are teh extreme likelihood..
____________________
Now: A100, SRX250, XJ598, FZ750, SL1000

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600, Skorpion, GT 250

[stinkwheel]

I'd happily POR15 a NEW fuel tank to prevent problems in the future. The US military does. I'm too stingy though
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Robby]

Caustic soda to soften/remove the old liner. It will come off like snakeskin.

Then lots of flushes with water, remove the fuel tap and make a plate+gasket to cover the hole, and treat with phosphoric acid to get rid of the rust and lingering crap.

Then rinse a couple more times. Refit fuel tap. Pour in a bottle of meths, swill around, empty, then fill with petrol.