Filthy Rusty Tank - wow - with cleaning/rust removal process

[dubwicht]

I bought a low mileage 1979 GS1000 about a year ago and thought it was in ready to ride shape. I then read the section in this form about what is required to resurrect on of these bikes. I have done the brakes, cleaned the carb, rewired, adjusted the valves etc. The tank was the worst I have ever seen - mostly small chunks of rust but lots of them. I soaked the inside with pickling vinegar for two days and then rinsed with a litre of distilled water mixed with a half box of baking soda. It took about 20 rinses to clean all the chunks out and I had to mix up a second batch of water and soda to rinse it. After the rinse I used a heat gun and hair dryer to dry the inside and then coated the inside with kerosene. Forgot to mention that I added two handfuls of deck screws to swish around during the vinegar phase. You need a small magnet on a flexible wand to get the screws out. You can also shake the tank upside down to remove the screws. I hope this helps

 

[1978GS750E]

Kleen-Strip makes a product, concrete etch & metal prep, that does a great job in about 20-30 minutes time!

 

[Nessism]

Kleen-Strip makes a product, concrete etch & metal prep, that does a great job in about 20-30 minutes time!

This is what I use. Just be sure to remove the petcock, sending unit, cap, and make some plugs for the openings. And when allowing the sauce to dwell, crack open a vent, so pressure doesn't build inside.

 

[oldGSfan]

From least to most rusty, I have used plain white vinegar, 30% vinegar, citric acid, Kleen Strip, phosphoric or hydrochloric (muriatic acid - pool cleaner), and finally electrolysis using dollar store washing soda, which worked amazingly on a badly rusted tank. I hope I never have to do a rusty tank again. If I do, any of the first three are what I hope to use.

 

[trevor]

I use a product called "Metal Rescue"....safe to use....won't hurt paint and refusable. Amazing stuff.

 

[Don R]

I used a mix of strengths of vinegar and followed with evaporust. All of the usual rinsing, drying and oiling. I made a gasketed block off plate for the petcock but left the sender in place.

 

[Nessism]

I used a mix of strengths of vinegar and followed with evaporust. All of the usual rinsing, drying and oiling. I made a gasketed block off plate for the petcock but left the sender in place.

The sending unit is zinc plated steel, and the acid eats off the zinc.

 

[Don R]

The sending unit is zinc plated steel, and the acid eats off the zinc.

I'm 100% willing to admit to a mistake. That's why I mentioned it.