Gas Tank Interior Coating
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 6
Gas Tank Interior Coating
I have the problem with rust plugging my fuel line. I was talking with my mechanic about it the other day and he recommended that I take it to a local radiator shop where they would hot-tank it and coat the interior with something. Anyone ever do this? What would be the coating? What is hot-tanking?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
I recently did this, for the exact same reason.
Near as I could determine, the hot tanking involved a solution that would eat/break free the rust, varnish, goo of any type without damaging the remaining good metal.
Mine was bad enough it needed to be soaked(hot tanked) for 3 nights.
The coating on the interior, I have no idea how they do it, but, there are plenty of flexible, and even liquid applied membranes used in chemical storage, most noteworthy is the membrane bladders being used over in the desert to store gas for the military.
Mine was bad enough it needed to be soaked(hot tanked) for 3 nights.
They pressure tested it, and put a fresh coeat of paint on it as well.
I've not had an issue with the gas filters getting clogged since the repair.
It cost me $70 for the process.
Near as I could determine, the hot tanking involved a solution that would eat/break free the rust, varnish, goo of any type without damaging the remaining good metal.
Mine was bad enough it needed to be soaked(hot tanked) for 3 nights.
The coating on the interior, I have no idea how they do it, but, there are plenty of flexible, and even liquid applied membranes used in chemical storage, most noteworthy is the membrane bladders being used over in the desert to store gas for the military.
Mine was bad enough it needed to be soaked(hot tanked) for 3 nights.
They pressure tested it, and put a fresh coeat of paint on it as well.
I've not had an issue with the gas filters getting clogged since the repair.
It cost me $70 for the process.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
I did a small tank with the Por 15 stuff, forget the name. It's a silver colored paint. Preped the tank myself:
Muric Acid (swimming pool supply)
clear water
phosphoric acid (home depot $6)
clear water
hair dryer (must be VERY dry)
poor paint in (cost about $15)
turn tank around to get all the edges / corners
applied fiberglass strips around the holes BUT they come off as the paint is too thin, gotta wait until paint firms up or hold them in place as the paint drys.
Works great, looks fair/poor
Muric Acid (swimming pool supply)
clear water
phosphoric acid (home depot $6)
clear water
hair dryer (must be VERY dry)
poor paint in (cost about $15)
turn tank around to get all the edges / corners
applied fiberglass strips around the holes BUT they come off as the paint is too thin, gotta wait until paint firms up or hold them in place as the paint drys.
Works great, looks fair/poor
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
I had the exact same problem with rust clogging up the fuel filter and the truck dying all the time. From FTE I was told to get the tank hot tanked and plastic coated. I haven't had a problem since, truck is running great! I think I paid somewhere at or a little over 100 bucks to have the job done. The tank was pressure tested, cleaned and coated.
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Cargo Master
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Kensington, OH
Hot tanking is a method whereby metal is inserted into an acid solution and then the tank is heated over a period of usually 3-4 days. It eats away pretty much all rust (depending on how often solution in tank is changed), organic debris and sometimes even aluminum (with unforseen results sometimes).
Our local radiator shop 'glass' the surface with a teflon based polymer but for the life of me i don't remember the name.
Our local radiator shop 'glass' the surface with a teflon based polymer but for the life of me i don't remember the name.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 20
From: Four Oaks, NC
LMC's latest catalog has new gas tanks for $149. A few months ago when I did my gas tank, I could not find a new tank in any of my catalogs. I cleaned the inside with purple power degreaser (poured it in, sloshed it around, let it loosen up all the crap - did that about 10 times) and washed it clean, then poured in this gas tank sealer I got from JcWhitney for $25. It seems to have worked ok, I have not any problems since. But if I had to do it all over again I think I would have gone for the new tank.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I recently used a kit from Eastwood for a small motorcycle tank. It was a several step process involving caustic solutions to remove the rust, gum, etc, followed by extensive chemical rinsing and finally sloshing around a coating. It worked fine and there is no longer any rust floating around the fuel system. However, If I ever need this again I will send it to a pro to avoid the mess and the need to collect and dispose of the used chemicals. It can all be handled but
it's not worth doing at home! For a truck I would seriously consider a new tank, as they don't seem that expensive. Good luck!
it's not worth doing at home! For a truck I would seriously consider a new tank, as they don't seem that expensive. Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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Likes: 6
I was just talking with a radiator shop guy yesterday and he said what he does is hot tank them over night and for as many nights as I'd be willing to leave it to get it shiny clean on the inside. Its $100 and he guarantees it. He then suggested no interior coating. He said that it has been his experience that the coating causes more problems. Anyone ever bought a $149 LMC truck tank? If so how much is the shipping on that? If its another $50 I think I'll do the hot tanking.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
FYI there is a kit called KREEM for cleaning and coating tanks sold in most motorcycle shops . it comes with the acid, acetone and the coating I have used it several times on motorcycle tanks not to bad the trick is when you clean it out with the acid after you have to clean it out with acetone not water because it the (tank) will start to rust immediatetly after washing it out with water and if you coat it over the rust it will lift the coating after time!!! now doing a truck tank is going to be a bigger project ????