So I have a tank that is full of some white sealer and rust, previous owners work. Its pretty much a disaster inside but the sheet metal is great and the rust is only surface rust. The sealer is flaking off and there is old gas in the mix too. The one local place I know of told me to take a hike basically so I'm looking for a restore that isn't just a sealing process.

you got to find a place that will still cook them . there is a place here on the outskirts of town who will boil it and cut open sandblast and seal. not to many places that will still do it

PO of my 74 had a creative method for scrubbing the interior of the tank. He bought the car as a project, {still is} He pulled the tank, stripped it of all hardware, put in a "shovelfull" of clean crushed rock, sealed the holes and rolled it around the yard for a reported 4 hours. That probably included an hour of cleaning. I can verify the interior of the tank looks good and fuel system is clean.The engine runs good. I tend to believe his story. If nothing else he is creative. I'm now dealing with some of his less than successful ideas and probably will find more.

Mark in Portland

Look for a shop that will "boil it out". I found a radiator shop near me in Los Angeles that would do it a few years ago. The rocks will work as will nuts and bolts or other hard somewhat sharp-edged objects. If you use a flamable solvent during the "rolling" make sure to use non-sparking media (brass hardware for example). Whatever you do, don't use the sealant again. It is not necessary. Keeping the tank full and driving the car often is the best way to keep the tank from rusting.

There's a Midwest franchise of gas tank shops using a process called renu. I may call them tomorrow and find out more. Any first hand knowledge is appreciated.

My own tank got a length of steel chain chucked inside it and half a pint of acetone, then the crap shaken out of it.

It wasn't a horrible tank to begin with, but it turned into a much nicer one after a few rounds of that.

I don't think the rock or chain method is going to work with that sealant in there

Look for a shop that will "boil it out". I found a radiator shop near me in Los Angeles that would do it a few years ago. The rocks will work as will nuts and bolts or other hard somewhat sharp-edged objects. If you use a flamable solvent during the "rolling" make sure to use non-sparking media (brass hardware for example). Whatever you do, don't use the sealant again. It is not necessary. Keeping the tank full and driving the car often is the best way to keep the tank from rusting.

Agree get the tank dipped at a radiator shop. If you can't find one, maybe try CO2 blasting because when the media melts nothing is left behind to buildup in the tank. Also if you add a quart of non-detergent oil to the gas every oil change it does not rust the tank. That is what I do and I know people that have done that for decades and no rust in the tank

Grant,

Here's two places I have in my notes. I think you already have one.

Good luck.

Dave

Moyer Fuel Tank Renu - antique gas tank repair restoration, classic car gas tanks GASTANK

Gas Tank Renu - USA

12727 Greenfield

Detroit, Michigan 48227

Sales:

800-932-2766

313-837-6122

Grant83

What are your plans for the tank interior after cleaning? My tank was scrubbed with rock. It's nice & clean but prone to rust. ajmsforesters' oil treatment would work but raises several questions in my mind. The only cars I've heard of, that mix oil in the gas, have Wankel engines and they use 2-cycle oil but far less than a quart. After doing a little research, I have found that many restorers use POR 15 or RED-KOTE successfully as long as directions are carefully followed. I'm going to use one of these products to treat my tank. Has anyone, that has used these products, had any long term issues with them? I don't want to clean old sealer out of my tank in the future.

Mark in Portland

I had a radiator shop in Frankfort IN boil my tank clean and then they put some kind of sealer inside and out. I doesn't leak, and I don't get any dirt in my fuel filters, so they must have done a good job.

(Dave's Radiator & Auto Repair) They have repaired some radiators for me over the years as well. (Including the one in my Z) It would be a long trip from Ft. Wayne, but surely there must be somone near you who offers this service.

My concern is getting all the sealant gunk out which I have a feeling will require blasting. The radiator shop had one gas tank guy and he told me he didn't want to touch it. And if he did it would probably only hold up for about 10 years. It was like when a contractor doesn't want a job and just high balls so they don't have to do it. Not the type of person I want to give money to or let near a part that isn't easily replaced.