Rusty tank restoration

[Siloxious]

Hello everyone

I'm currently restoring the fuel tank (inside). I filled the whole tank with white vinegar and let it sit for 48 hours. The results are quite good. But now I need to treat the aluminium against corrosion. I plan on using WD-40 to coat the inside of the tank (I plan on using a lot of WD-40). After soaking for a bit, I'll fill the tank again with fuel (I think the best fuel for the CB500 Four is E95?).

Is the WD-40 a good protection against corrosion?
Is this the right fuel that I'll be using?

Thanks in advance!

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[Orcade-Ian]

Er,
Which bits are aluminium?  Whatever you put in the tank will get washed away with the fuel fairly quickly.  If it's just for storage, then diesel swished around is better.  Those pits in the surface look quite deep.  When you have finished cleaning, I would fill it with petrol before any painting, just in case of pin holes appearing.

Ian

Did you mean E5?  Here in UK we only have E5 and E10

[Siloxious]

Here in Belgium E95 is used a lot in cars, so I thought this could be the same fuel type for motorcycles.

What fuel do you use?

[Orcade-Ian]

Ah!
I think you will be referring to 95 Octane fuel, that is also available here.  E5 here is 5% ethanol content, E10 is 10%.  We would run a mile - or a few kilometres if we saw E95 on the pumps - that would be 95% ethanol and our old Honda engines would probably dissolve before our eyes!

Ian

 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The tank on my 400 was similar to yours - I would use something like a fine gravel now with some Diesel to act as a mild abrasive to remove any loose flakes of rust. I actually used some flower arrangers glass beads. When you have removed the gravel I would soak it again in something similar to Evaporust.

[Sesman]

Use Bilt hamber  diox c and fish tank gravel. Use hot water to make the solution and agitate every 6-8 hours over a 24 hour period. Rinse with de-ionised water and flush with a pint of diesel.

[DomP]

I did mine with a mix of electrolysis and phosphoric acid, I'm not entirely happy leaving it bare but everything I read about liners puts me off them

[Laverdaroo]

Bilt hamber  diox c

What does that mean Phil?

[Athame57]

Bilt hamber  diox c

What does that mean Phil?

I googled and got this: https://bilthamber.com/product/deox-c/

[taysidedragon]

I used deox-c in my tank for 24 hours and it came up really clean. 👍

[Sesman]

That’s the stuff. Works really well.

[Laverdaroo]

Tip noted, cheers chaps, I’ve to sort the 550 tank out before I send it in for paint.
 I’m in the states from next Thursday until late December so going to tackle it when I get back.
I was going to go the vinegar route but this gubbins sounds just the job. Is there a specific recipe for a 550 tank, eg. Can I do it with one tub? Just so I order enough to be here waiting for when I get back?


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[Laverdaroo]

Just found the recipe page on the website, please disregard last message


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[Matt_Harrington]

Roo, I've found Evaporust great at removing rust from the inside of a tank.....

If the tank is pitted, I'd be tempted to seal with tank sealant.

Send us a postcard!

[Laverdaroo]

It’s not that bad Matt with little putting, it’s about the only bit of the bike I lucked out on

I’d love to use evaporust but it’s a bit cost prohibitive tbh. This gubbins described earlier has a good right up and I can do the tank from top to bottom for 16 quid so it’s looking favourable. It would cost about £50 to do the same with the evaporust. I do use it but only on bits n bobs. How’s the hand doing, you managing a yet ?



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