Gas Tank Cleaning

[8ntruck 7,004]

 @bc.gold - you seem to be the resident chemist here.  What do you recommend to clean out a early 80's plastic Wheel Horse gas tank?

 

A quick search on the interweb suggests mild acidic solution, agitation with mild abrasives (nuts, bolts, gravel, etc.).

 

Thanks

[Pullstart 62,878]

Mineral spirits, vinegar, etc.  My preferred agitator is a handful of 1/4-20 nuts.  NOT 1/4-28!  

[bc.gold 3,403]

I would try caustic soda, it's what we used in the hot tanks for cleaning an engine block before machining, use it cold for your plastic tank and let the tank soak overnight. If there are any aluminum or brass parts attached to the tank remove these.

 

The lye reacts violently with aluminum and attracts the zinc component in the brass.

Edited September 1, 2021 by bc.gold

[JoeM 7,874]

Hot water, dawn dish liquid, good rinse, blow dry and let r set in the sun. A quick spray rinse of carb cleaner and put r together. (and if you use the dawn, the 1/4-28 nuts work better) 

[Lee1977 6,659]

 I have used Oxi Clean and hot water with good result's.

[oliver2-44 9,750]

2 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

 I have used Oxi Clean and hot water with good result's.

[pacer 3,169]

The couple I've done had this awful .... tar? like goo in it. So I grabbed the trusty acetone and put maybe a pint in and for the next days/weeks? as I walked by it I'd give it a shake, changed it out once or twice til it cleaned up real nice!

[wallfish 16,999]

I skip the "mild" abrasive part and go directly to aggressive drywall screws. The sharp edges and points work quicker to scrape that crap off and it doesn't really bother me one bit if it leaves a few little scrape marks inside of a gas tank. 

Very important, don't forget the hat when shaking!

 

 

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

Went on You Tube to see what was recommend to be and saw  the same suggestions. Acetone, drain cleaner but on a hunch wanted to  see what Purple Clean did. Couple of quarts shaken and allowed to sit for awhile. Drain and put in some fresh. Shake and drain Flush with water. What is drained from the tank is still quite usable still able o degrease parts.

[8ntruck 7,004]

I stopped off at the local 'we sell everything' store, hoping to find Simlpe Green or Oxy Clean.  Struck out with those and went home with a gallon of white vinegar.  Probably was cheaper.

 

Dumped half of it in and am letting it soak overnight.  Will add nuts, bolts and agitation tomorrow.