Possible Tank Corrosion.

[DaddyStu]

I have some patches of small white dots on my galvanised tank. Barely noticeable but do not wipe off. It had been treated with ACF in the winter. I've wiped it over with gt85 for now. Is this a typical sign of tank corrosion?
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[MCN]

White dots might be salt from the cooncil's winter roads.

It may also be some oxidation of the zinc used in the galvanisation.

Salt will dissolve when washed with water/soap and water.

Metal Oxides maybe not as simple.

Where is the galvanised tank used?
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Robby]

Typical is tricky word to use, when galvanised tanks are unusual. I'm assuming this is galvanised on the outside, not painted.

It is likely to be corrosion - zinc oxide is white - but it's also a sign of the galvanising doing it's job, and letting the zinc oxidise instead of the steel.

Petrol tank corrosion usually happens from the inside, when water has been sitting at the bottom of the tank for years and gently rusting it away. The first sign is a bit of rust bubbling on the outside of the lowest point, at which point the steel is incredibly thin and you really need to repair or replace.

Realistically, only something to even consider if the bike is over 20 years old and has spent a long time sitting outside or in a damp shed.

[DaddyStu]

[DaddyStu]

[Robby]

In that case I'm assuming it's a galvanised steel tank, then painted on the outside. Where are you seeing the corrosion? Inside or outside, painted or unpainted?

Galvanised steel will resist rust for a long time, so in this case the manufacturer may be accurate is saying that tank rust is a thing of the past. The rest of the bike will have dissolved long before then.

It still can rust, but it needs to eat away the galvanising first.

[MCN]

Galvanized finishes (Zinc Plating) have a mechanical property of being 'self healing' If scratched, the zinc creeps into the scratch to maintain protection.

And the thickness of coating counts too.

Zinc can be applied by dipping in molten zinc or electro-plating Cathode-Anode method. Big things are normally dipped.

Tin Sheeting, (Corrugated Iron). Fencing, Lots of Agricultural equipment.
Nails, Bolts, Screws, Washers, Conduit. endless list.

Boats, Barges, Engines use the similar properties to ward of corrosion in a marine environment. Sacrificial Anodes are placed strategically. The anodes 'melt' rather than the structure. Replaced at intervals or as required.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[DaddyStu]

[MCN]

[Easy-X]

[MCN]