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Petrol tank coating

Submitted by john_tickell on Wed, 15/04/2015
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My ES2 tank has a thick clear layer coating the inside. As it is clear I can see that the tank is rusty hence the coating. I would like to remove this and de rust the tank. Does anyone know what might disolve this coating, I was thinking of cellulose thinners, Any suggestions? John

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 15/04/2015

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I risk becoming like Neil here; he is kept awake at nights by the presence of ethanol in petrol and I am kept awake by the absence of dichloromethane in paint stripper throughout the EU.

I don't think cellulose thinners is going to be man enough to break up the sort of polymer that is used for tank sealants. Your best bet is a mix of 80% dichloromethane (=methylene chloride) and 20% methanol. I know the first one of the two can be bought across the web and I guess methanol can be found even if you have to find somebody supplying it as fuel.

Should you get that far, the usual caveats regarding health, safety, and exposure limits apply to both although dichloromethane and the mixture are thankfully non-flammable.

Submitted by dave_graham1 on Wed, 15/04/2015

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Do you know when this sealant was put in the tank? If it was within a couple of years, you might find it is Ethanol proof sealant like Caswell (which is clear). If this is the case and petrol isn't disolving it, I would leave it alone and just use the tank. I have had to seal my fibreglass tank with Caswell as the petrol was eating it away. It's good stuff and works well. If your tank was leaking petrol because of the rust, you might find you open a can of worms if you do remove the sealer and you end up with a tank leaking like a cullender..!! If the sealer is the old type and not ethanol proof, you will have no choice but to remove it. This site sell Petseal remover.

http://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/

I thought the chemical they used to remove the old stuff was Acetone, if so, you can buy it from Amazon website etc.

Submitted by neil_wyatt on Wed, 15/04/2015

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I would agree, if the tank is coated with Ethanol proof sealant then leave it alone or leave it alone anyway if you are not in Devon and Cornwall. Outside of these areas especially, BP Ultimate for example is E0. (About time we had some clear markings so we know what exactly is E0. Anyone remember the trades description Act?)

The old Pet Seal and the New Ethanol proof'Wyldes Flowliner' contain rust inhibitors and will keep the existing rust in check.

E0fuel will also keep your carb bits and fuel lines from being attacked by this unnecessary solvent. Acetone added to petrol? It wouldn't be for the first time. End the subsidies on bio fuels and problem solved.

Submitted by john_tickell on Wed, 15/04/2015

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Thanks for replys. Have only purchased this in the last couple of weeks. It was last on the road in 2007 and stood so I'm guessing it was treated some time before that. Will take your advise and leave for the short term and keep an eye on it with some new fuel. What happens to the old type sealer, does it turn to mush? John

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Wed, 15/04/2015

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If you use petrol with ethanol in it, there is a high likelihood that the sealant will start to dissolve, blocking the carb jets. If you can use petrol without ethanol, BP Ultimate and possibly Esso's best, you should be OK.

Submitted by neil_wyatt on Thu, 16/04/2015

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Gordon is right, that tank sealant will not be Ethanol proof. You are OK as long as you use E0 petrol. Avoid supermarket petrol and anything that says EN228 for certain.

If you have used petrol containing Ethanol then the sealant will soften and come away from the metal and break up.

 


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