Removing rust from tank

Can anyone help me please. My Kestrel tank has a lot of rust inside. I would like to remove it safely. A friend has suggested caustic soda as per the classic bike website. However it looks a bit nasty and could take the paint of my lovely tank, skin off my hands, and there is a good chance I could pass out with the fumes! Years ago I used counted pieces of gravel, giving it a good shake, but after exhausting myself there was hardly any difference! Nuts and bolts could cause dents!

As you can see I need some help please.

Pete

P.S. I know someone has recently mentioned this subject on here, but I can’t find it!

Just a thought - what about white vinegar for 24 hours?

Have you heard of using Molasses?
About 1/4 Molasses 3/4 water and fill your tank. May take 2 or 3 weeks to get a decent result.
Give it a shake every couple of days, and check after a week to see how it's going.

The Molasses eats the rust but won't hurt the metal, non caustic, safe on your hands and won't hurt the paintwork on the outside of your tank.

I've used it on metal items but not a tank, works well. Have read about it being used on a tank and can't see why not.
Maybe others might have used the process??

Look on Youtube to see "how to" videos.

Just had a look at the Vinegar process on Youtube.  Also looks effective, and quicker.



Cheers, Geoff.

Thanks Geoff for your reply. I will give it a thought.

I have finally got my 1955 Kestrel 66 back together again after a few years of work on it, there’s always something else that needs doing! - and so far it seems to be running quite well. The cleaning of the tank is the final stage!

Thanks for your help.

Pete

Hi Pete white vinegar works well, i used it on my triumph tank about 50% vinegar 50% water leave about 4-5 days with a little shake now and then,as your tank has already been sprayed you may not want to strap it inside a cement mixer but i think that is a brilliant idea , half fill tank with pee shingle, strap into mixer, leave running in garden all night, don't worry about neighbour's it will be fine once they get used to that therapeutic sound,well i hope they do as the falcon tank is heading for the mixer Alan

Hi, thanks for suggestions Ken and Alan.
I look the plunge and used caustic soda to clean the tank today. All went well, I didn’t pass out and the paint is stlii on the tank (covered it in grease and then clingfilm) - bit messy! Had a lot of rust come out, but could do with doing again, perhaps this time with white vinegar for three or four days. Will let you know how that goes, maybe after the Staffs Show. Kestrel is due to be on FB stand with others.

Pete

I have had success in the past with full fat Coka Cola not the diet type and left for a few days Coke seems to work better than cheaper cola brands .

Regards. Colin

Fuel tank rust removal
Good article, especially if you want to sort your rusty tank in the nude

Click on the Fuel tank rust removal text, its a link.

Yes Bill, that’s the article I got my information from, interesting reading, but it does make you nervous about the thought of using caustic soda. I was ultra careful, using rubber gloves, mask, goggles and wore old clothes, and there was not a drop spilt or inhaled fortunately. You just need to be sensible, methodical and take your time.

Pete