How to Clean Rust out of Your Motorcycles Gas Tank

Cleaning out the rust from your motorcycle tank does not sound like the most exciting task to complete on your bike but to extend the life of your motorcycle it just needs to get done! You may not know where to start, but don’t worry we’ll explain. Once you successfully clean the rust out of your tank you will feel great knowing you completed the work on your bike!

Removing and assessing the tank:

In order to begin the cleaning process, you must first remove the gas tank off of the bike. Before starting any work on the gas tank decide whether the tank could and should be saved. There is no need to spend time on something that should be replaced as that can result in a bigger loss of money and time. If you’ve deemed it worthy of cleaning and NOT replacing then you are ready for the next step.

Rust Abatement:

Rust abatement simply means reducing or diminishing the rust that is inside your gas tank. There are three methods that can be used when it comes to motorcycle abatement, there is chemical abatement, manual abatement, and a mixture of both. Chemical abatement will be using some type of mild acid to eat into the rust and remove the rust. Manual abatement uses abrasive materials to remove heavy rust deposits. This abrasive material can be anything from gravel to nuts and bolts. Now the most common technique is to mix both of chemical and manual abatement. Mix both and then swish around inside of the tank. Remember some chemical fumes can be harmful to us so use the appropriate safety wear.

Preparing the Tank:

Preparing the tank includes making sure all holes are sealed using silicone plugs or vacuum caps. Emptying, removing, and sealing the tank is not all that needs to be done, there are two other steps to take when preparing the tank. Because you are working with strong chemicals and fuels moving to e ventilated area is extremely recommended, Working in an area that is not ventilated may result in unconsciousness, nausea or headaches. If possible, work outside. Checking volatility is the last thing you want to do before mixing everything into the tank. To check for volatility, merely place the agitator and chemical into a bowl and let them sit for a couple of minutes, if nothing happens, you’re good to go.

Acid, Agitator, Shake:

If you have passed the volatility test not the abatement process can begin. There are 5-steps in the abatement process we will go over three in this paragraph and then two in the next. They should each be done in the order that is being explained.
Acid: You will need some sort of acid to remove rust off of the gas tank. White vinegar is highly recommended because of how well it takes rust off and is not a strong acid that will cause damage to you or the bike. Make sure to top off your bike with vinegar and let it sit for a few days before moving on to the next step.
Agitator: after letting the vinegar sit there for a few days, you can add in the mechanical abrasive material. You’ll need small manageable items that can scratch away the rust without damaging the tank, like nuts and bolts. Only put in about two to four so that they have enough room to move freely and cover the whole tank.
Shake: After you have put the acid and agitators in the tank you want to shake that tank as hard and as long as you can. You will probably need to take breaks and do it over the course of a couple of days. Bare metal may not be visible right away as it will take a bit before the shaking breaks the rust off.

Flush and Finish:

Once you have done everything you could to get as much rust off remove any plugs and empty out the contents into a spare bucket. Once it is emptied out you can rinse it out using a garden hose and let the water run for a few minutes to make sure all of the acids is out. You can use dish soap to neutralize the vinegar and fill the tank with hot water and then empty it again. Make sure to dry thoroughly. To finish off use a fuel-soluble sealer.

Complications:

Sometimes if not done properly the rust will not all come off. Maybe a step was missed or the gas tank was not shaken enough when it had the acid and agitators in it. If this happens, try again with more precision, patience, and effort. If rust still does not come off, it is time to call it and get a new gas tank for your bike.

Conclusion:

The process to clean rust out of your motorcycles gas tank can be a long one. This requires some patience and precision. Before starting anything off it is important to have all of the materials you will be using ready to go and accessible. And also keep in consideration that not every tank can be cleaned and brought back to good condition, know when its time to replace so that you do not waste any time!

💰

GET FINANCED!

⏰

VALUE YOUR TRADE IN
30 SECONDS!

☎️

CALL NOW:

626-974-6600

✉️

EMAIL US!

customerservice@bertsmegamall.com

GET DIRECTIONS!