Fuel Tank Restoration - Preservation

Hi Rob, I treated my Fuel Tank internally with this product. http://www.fertan.com/products.../tapox-tank-sealing/

I used 2 kits (2x500ml mixed) and that was just enough. It is nasty 2 component stuff so Gloves and Mask is recommended ;-) My tank was not bad with rust before the treatment but just to be sure I left it overnight filled with a rust remover agent from same supplier and the Tank was completely clean afterwards. It looked like brand new on the inside. The treatment also changed the acoustic of the Tank. It does no longer sound like a Church Bell so the Epoxy Sealer must absorb the noise. The exterior of the Tank was painted with 2 component silver Epoxy.

I don't know the brand but I did use an interior tank "slosh". Came as a two step. A cleaner, then a liquid teflon type coating.

The exterior of the tank had no corrosion on it. Just painted it with satin black Rustoleum.

I was just "in the tank" about two months ago because I had to change the sender. I could clearly see internally into the tank and the teflon coating was still visible.

I saw no internal corrosion.

I did change the tank plug at that time also to one that is flush with the bottom of the tank and has an internal hex socket.

So far so good.

If your tank is showing no issues externally, I don't know if it's a great idea to sand blast it?

I'm pretty sure the exterior was galvanized, then just painted by the factory.

If you find yourself in a position where the current condition of the tank is questionable then I would consider the stainless steel tank from Hall Pantera rather than replace it with an "original" factory steel tank.

the stainless is actually $100 cheaper.

I used Eastwood's kit about 3 years ago. It includes etch and sealant. So far so good I guess. Haven't actually looked in the tank since then but at least the sealant hasn't clogged the fuel pump.

http://www.eastwood.com/gas-tank-sealer-kits.html

Sent mine to a radiator shop to have it boiled out repair some pinholes and they called it creamed whatever that is.

A good external epoxy is a good idea. Quite a few of the production steel gas tanks were left unpainted, and some rusted clear through from the outside when the foam under the hold-down strap collected and held water against the tank top & sides.

Whatever you use inside, given the trouble we have in pulling tanks, be very sure the tank is perfectly clean and the coating is absolutely guaranteed for use with alcohols in our gas (in ever-increasing %). Some motorcycle sloshing compounds were/are attacked by methanol or ethanol, come off and clog fuel pumps and carbs or injectors. Not too simple to correct on a bike; even worse on a Pantera.