Fuel tank rust!

Any questions or suggestions regarding restorations
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Johann65
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 15:02

Drained the tank, Dirty fuel, :roll: Removed the tank, banged the tank and look what came out before Treatment! 8O
Wapped inside, Now standing in sun, Then will use the wife's hairdrier to completely dry inside before starting acid treatment and finaly with Rust converter and blowdry again before refitting! :mrgreen:
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maxman
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by maxman » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 16:36

I have also heard the the small glass bits that you get when safety glass breaks (rough and sharp beads) works really well to clean the inside of fuel tanks when you shake it around.
'71 XW Fairmont GT (silver fox)
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Johann65
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 16:50

maxman wrote:I have also heard the the small glass bits that you get when safety glass breaks (rough and sharp beads) works really well to clean the inside of fuel tanks when you shake it around.
Thanks for the advice. I will see how things work out! Amazing the amount of rust!! 8O I have small white stones if needed. :mrgreen:
What do you do to prevent the rust from forming again???? :?: :?:
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Ah! Yes I remember it well! (Only GM's!)
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Shaughn
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Shaughn » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 20:12

Good topic with local products i spotted today

------------------------------------------

Hi Guys,
Had a problem with the Fastback fuel tank that started to rust again after cleaning it out, when restored since its long rest under a tree in Bloemfontein.

The prospect of splitting the tank and reworking it, did not Gel with me, as it would seem that the joint will start rusting again, or even worse, leaking.

So I opted for the DIY rout, so that I can be in control of the quality of the job, after all, this is not something you want to have happen every few years.

So Here is what I done,

Removed tank from Fastback, and removed all fittings, and senders so that the tank is bear.
Now I also removed the beetle tank, as it also re started rusting, (checked it when I found the Fastback tank had rusted) and I will explain why I am going to do both at the same time later.

My friendly local Electro Plating Firm took my tanks into their de-rusting tanks, and left them there over night.
R30 later they where totally de-rusted and rinsed out with clean water, neutralised, and clean.

I then when to my local Braemer Paints store and got me
Two, one litre tins of Sigmaguard 720 Neutral Base epoxy,
Two 250 ml tins of Sigmaguard 720 Hardener (grey)
One Litre tin of Sigma 91-92 epoxy thinners
Total cost R396.00 ex vat.

Returning home I placed half the thinners into the 1st tank and rinsed it out fully.
Then transferred the thinners to the 2nd tank, and did the same.
Stored this thinners from the tanks, to clean the brushes.

Now the reason for doing both tanks at the same time.....Well it takes one litre of epoxy to do TWO coats on one tank, and you can not store the epoxy once you mixed it, so you need to do two tanks OR half the epoxy and hardener before you start.
Now as you can get the mixing incorrect, when you half the epoxy, I decided to do it this way.

I taped up all openings with masking tape, except the filler hole one.
Mixed the epoxy, hardener, and thinners to a usable fluid thickness, as you need it to flow around the tank with ease.
poured it into the tank, and taped up the filler hole as well.
Now I slowly rotated the tank for a long time so that the epoxy will coat the inside evenly and build up a few layers.

Opened the filler hole and transferred the remaining epoxy to the 2nd tank.
Did the same here.

opened the filler and drained the remaining epoxy from the tank. Used a brush and coated the outside with a layer.
Placed both tanks in the shade, so that the epoxy can harden from the inside and not form a crust, trapping the thinners.

Let the epoxy dry for 3 days, then repeated the coating process with the 2nd coat exactly as the 1st coat.

Now I let it dry in the shade again for 3 days, and then dried, and removed the fumes with a heat gun set on low, do not burn epoxy, into the filler neck, then placed in sun for a day just to make sure the epoxy has fully set.

Painted the outside with a nice Black spray paint, and refitted the tank as normal.

Hope this will save you some bucks and frustration, as you now will not have to push the car home with blocked fuel filter.

Herman
https://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=25951

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Johann65
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 20:16

I think the rust has been contained! :| First banging the rust that can come loose, then the vinegar for what more could come out, then a Rust converter solution that reacted with the rust residue! :mrgreen: Then the wife's Blower to dry the interior! Surface is now smooth! See interior pics! Hope the converter/primer is good enough!! 8O If not good enough, then I will go the epoxy route!
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Shaughn
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Shaughn » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 20:18

Looking good, At least you know it was a worthwhile venture when you see all the crap that came out. Now i feel like i should go deal with mine this weekend, incase.

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Johann65
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Sun 05 Mar 2017, 21:07

Shaughn wrote:Looking good, At least you know it was a worthwhile venture when you see all the crap that came out. Now i feel like i should go deal with mine this weekend, incase.
The question is; Did it work!! :mrgreen: Watch this space! 8) 8)!
Tomorrow to refit tank and filter the 10 liters of petrol back into the tank :mrgreen:
Easy job to do!
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Ah! Yes I remember it well! (Only GM's!)
1966 Opel Rekord L CLASSIC SEDAN Current Project

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Johann65
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:40

Removed this from the tank! 8O I am using an external filter and new fuel pipe! :mrgreen:
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Mon 06 Mar 2017, 16:56

Here is the tank with new fuel pipe and external Filter!
Need to clean the chassis opening before fitment!
Note homemade rubber gasket to seal the tank opening!
Top and bottom!
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Ah! Yes I remember it well! (Only GM's!)
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Re: Fuel tank rust!

Post by Johann65 » Tue 07 Mar 2017, 12:52

Boot prepped for the tank!
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Ah! Yes I remember it well! (Only GM's!)
1966 Opel Rekord L CLASSIC SEDAN Current Project

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