De-stinking Penelope

[Nessism]

Dale, What method are you going to use to derust the tank after repair?

 

[rustybronco]

Ed, I'm undecided at this point what to use. The first hurdle is getting out all the old liner from the tank. After stripping the liner I might think of using dynamite to clean it out.

In order to make sure all the old liner is removed, I'll probably bring home the bore scope to peer inside the tank afterwards. If the right rear corner is anything like the area around the petcock hole, it will have a small puddle of liner in it and as you know, it all needs to be removed to obtain the best results. I only want to do this once.

All kidding aside, I'll probably use vinegar as phosphoric acid will turn it black and I rather have it looking like shiny ('ish) metal instead. I'll do a test run on some old rusted piece of metal and then decide which method will look the best.

 

[Nessism]

This photo shows what phosphoric acid does after about four days - this tank was heavily rusted. Had to work hard to remove the whiteish deposits on the metal (shaking the tank with a load of aquarium rocks).

 

[rustybronco]

Ed, I can live with the metal color looking like that after the white is removed.

I might go with Chucks suggestion to use 'Etch And Prep' on it.

 

[chuck hahn]

Dale ..Etch And Prep will do the derusting but since it comes in a plastic jug, i suspect it wont touch the liner. The Kreem site says to use MEK and aggitate from time to time. Ive used the MEK solution but be warned it will destroy the paint. Since your gonna be throwing some flame thats not a consideration for you. Back in the day, we would have a camp fire and put our old rocker covers off cars on for a solution to remove paint and old stuck on crap inside them. Get everything set for the patching but dont out them in. Throw the tank on the open barbie and cook it out is always an option too. Rinse out the soot and derust.

 

[rustybronco]

Chuck, I planned on using MEK (not MEK substitute) to strip out the liner. If I can't find it, I'll use acetone instead.

Oh, There's no way in heck you'll ever see me putting this tank on the barbi!

 

[chuck hahn]

Your gonna repaint anyway...so why not? It really does a great job of removing gunk and paint. If you plan on saving any of the paint on top, you will need to enclose the tank in some kind of plastic bag like i did with the C tank. The MEK or Acetone will melt the paint right off if it so much as touches a drop on it. I got MEK at Ace Hardware in the paint section.

 

[Matchless]

Dale, my tank was cooked in half a 44 gall drum in a solution of caustic soda over my "braai". It removed everything! OK I did not have a liner inside.
Go for it!

 

[chuck hahn]

Even if the top side is perfect..or near that..the heat is gonna migrate when you torch the plugs in. IF you get away without any damage up top I think you will be very lucky. But hey go for it and if it ruins the paint, then throw it on the barbie and cook the liner out.

 

[rustybronco]

Chuck, I'm not worried if the paint gets damaged or not as I plan on repainting it. I already have the decals from reproduction sitting here waiting for me to get the tank ready for paint. I even picked up a quart of MEK today so I can strip out the liner.

Andre, after I get the liner removed I might try your method of paint removal if the paint stripper I have doesn't cut the mustard*.

(not satisfactory or right for the situation.)

 

[rustybronco]

I can't say it was the best work I've ever done, but with a bit of epoxy primer on it and a good blocking out, it will work out just fine.

I still need to find a small loom retainer to replace the one I removed and get it welded in place.

 

[rustybronco]

I didn't get much accomplished today as I was sick. I did manage to start stripping the Skunks fuel tank.

 

[chuck hahn]

Gonna do a liner to assure no micro leaks?? That thin metals a B%%ch aint it!!!

 

[rustybronco]

Chuck, I'll reline it as soon as I strip the old liner out of it and repair the dents it has.

I had to redo the repair I made to the petcock opening because the drill caught and ripped the metal as I was trying to drill the new opening. Yes, that thin metal was a pain in the pittute!

 

[chuck hahn]

Glad to see the progress..ive check several times a day to see if there were any new posts

 

[Matchless]

Good start there Dale!
I found a small leak under one of the front "U brackets" which was plugged with epoxy and painted over. After the caustic soda bath it was easy to braze up both brackets as it had cleaned out the seams as well.

 

[rustybronco]

Andre, As you can see through the petrol level gauge hole, I'm going to have to derust the tank and reline it after I remove the dents. So if there are small pin holes or areas that have the potential to be a leak source, hopefully my liner job will take care of them.

I still may boil the tank after I get done stripping it in order to get the paint removed from all those hard to reach areas. We'll see how the elbow grease method works first and then decide.

 

[Matchless]

I will keep an eye on your posts when it comes to the removal of the liner as I am a complete ignoramus when it comes to tank lining (and many other things as well).
Keep those pictures coming!

 

[chuck hahn]

Dale...i went to the dollor store and got the tooth brush looking brushes with the metal bristles..works a dream in the nooks and crannies.

 

[rustybronco]

Andre, I bought a Quart of MEK to use for stripping the liner out with, followed by Etch And Prep to remove the rust and relined with Caswell's fuel tank sealer.