Rust is never a good thing, especially in your motorcycle. Not only does rust depreciate the value of your vehicle, it also affects safety and the way it performs. When your gas tank starts to rust, the rust particle will start to break free and travel through the fuel lines, clogging the fuel filters and hampering the fuel flow; you may start noticing this when your motorcycle struggles with poor acceleration. The clogged filters and fuel lines can also result in pressure build up.
When not addressed immediately, the rust debris can damage your engine or eat away the rest of the motorcycle parts until there is nothing you can do about it but replace the entire gas tank, which is not always an easy task.
Can you saved a rusty fuel tank?
The best way to avoid a rusty fuel tank is to take preventive measures. However, when you already see the ugly rust eating away on your tank, don’t worry. There are still ways to salvage it.
How to Clean Rust Out of a Motorcycle Gas Tank
Cleaning out rust out of a motorcycle gas tank can be challenging. However, it’s not impossible to do. There are multiple ways to clean rust out of a gas tank, including abrasives, chemicals, and even electrolysis.
Here's how you can do them:
Abrasive Rust Removal
Make sure to empty your gas tank before starting the rust removal. Then drop some gravel, nuts and bolts to the tank and add liquid (soap and water, but preferably vinegar). Seal the tank and the holes and shake thoroughly on all sides such that the abrasive materials you dropped will reach every part of the tank and break down the rust buildup. Once you have finished, pour out the liquid and rinse the tank well with clean water. Make sure to turn it on all sides so that the tank is completely empty before you dry it and put it back on your motorcycle.
Chemical Rust Removal
Chemical rust removal, as the name suggests uses powerful chemicals to break down the rust and flush out the affected gas tank. You can use vinegar as your chemical, the same way you do with abrasive rust removal, though it is not heavy-duty unlike other chemicals available.
However, if you wish to use a safe method of rust removal, you can still use vinegar but mix it with baking soda. Fill the gas tank with the vinegar and baking soda mixture and let it sit there until it bubbles and you can see the color changing due to the rust breaking off. Once you observe that there are no more changes to the mixture that you see, pour the mixture out and rinse the tank thoroughly before drying it.
You can also use diesel fuel, phosphoric, hydrochloric, acetone, or muriatic acid as your chemical abrasive. There are also conventional chemicals available in the market that are heavier-duty and are specifically made for vehicle rust removal. If you opt to use them, make sure to follow the instructions indicated on their labels so you don’t mishandle and worsen the condition of your gas tank.
Electrolysis
With electrolysis, you use electricity or direct electric current through an electrolyte and produce chemical reactions that help break down the rust in the gas tank. To remove rust from the gas tank using electrolysis, you will need sodium carbonate (soda ash). Once you add the solution inside the gas tank, hook up the battery or power source to the tank — the negative terminal to the metal source on the tank, and the positive to suspended iron material or an anode inside the gas tank.
Once the power source is connected to the tank and the solution, the rust will eventually break off after a couple of hours into a gooey substance that you can flush out of the tank.
Chemical Resealing Treatments
Sometimes, even when you try the different methods mentioned above, some rust particles can be stubborn and remain inside the tank. To completely get rid of everything, you can try chemical resealing treatments. For this method of rust removal, you will need a gas tank sealer.
The method of applying the gas tank sealer may have little variations depending on the brand of sealer that you get, so make sure you read the instructions on the label and follow them thoroughly.
How much does it cost to clean a rusted gas tank?
Choosing which treatment you need for your motorcycle gas tank really depends on how much the rust has spread or how much you are willing to try. If you’re not sure which rust removal treatment to use or what your gas tank needs, contact motorcycle parts and services experts to discuss your options or to schedule a rust removal service appointment.
The cost of cleaning a rusted gas tank may vary depending on the degree of treatment that needs to be done. To get an evaluation or to simply ask for your available options, contact us at Full Throttle.
Safety Precautions When Working with Gas Tank Treatments
With different rust removal treatments available in the market, it is possible to do it yourself from home. However, these chemicals which are designed to remove stubborn rust can be very dangerous.
Before handling the chemicals or gas tank treatments, make sure you observe these safety precautions:
- Wear eye protection and a face mask for your protection.
- Work in an open area with plenty of ventilation to avoid concentrated fumes.
- Don’t mix products except per the manufacturer directions; chemical reactions can occur
- Ensure heat and power sources are away from the area before removing the gas tank or using any flammable product.
- Store fuel and gasoline properly while working on the gas tank and fuel system.
- When working with chemicals like acids (anything stronger than vinegar), keep a hose nearby to dilute any spillage.
- Make sure to plug up all the holes in the gas tank to avoid spillage of potentially dangerous chemicals.
Your health and safety is even more important than saving your gas tank. If you are hesitant about handling chemicals that are potentially dangerous, you can contact a rust removal expert instead.
Full Throttle offers services such as gas tank rust removal in Houston.
How to prevent fuel tank from rusting
While removing rust from your gas tank is still possible, it is always best to prevent it in the first place.
Here are ways you protect your gas tank from rusting:
- Use and fill your tank with high-octane gas. This leaves little room for condensation and water that are culprits for rusting.
- Start your engine regularly. If you don’t ride your bike that often, at least start it and let it run for a few minutes every week so the fuel or gas does not sit there for too long and separate.
- Add a fuel stabilizer. If you cannot commit to riding your bike regularly, you can add a fuel stabilizer to keep your gas solution from separating. It can also prevent condensation that will encourage rust to form.
Keep your gas tank in good condition
No matter how much we try to take care of our vehicle, there will always be times when we have to address specific issues such as rusting and the like. To maintain your gas tank in good condition or if you want to restore a rusty gas tank, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help.
For maintenance and repairs for your motorcycle in Houston, contact us at Full Throttle. Whether it’s a simple or complicated technical service work for your vehicle, we’ve got you covered.