Rusty Gas Tank

[Dower]

Just recently purchased a 98 GS500.  Runs great, but I have noticed rust in the gas tank.  I want to get this taken care of before it becomes a real problem.  Are there any over the counter chemicals available for rust removal?  Or any recommended companies in the Houston area that do this type of work?

Thanks in advance.

[500rider]

There are some chemicals that will turn the rust into black oxide.  You can pick these up at hardware stores.  I used something made by Dominion Sure Seal.  It worked OK on light rust but the underlying rust was still there on thicker sections.  Rust can also be removed with sulferic acid.  I took my tank to a rad shop that happens to also clean out gas tanks.  They do this for the local bike shops.  I had them strip the paint off for me too but they could've done it without removing the paint.  If you go in and talk to your local bike shop service manager, he may tell you where they send rusty tanks for rust removal.

[The Buddha]

OK The yamaha chemicals that are supposed to do this... suck.... the black oxide stuff is available at Home depot and is made by jasco... however when I tested it on a rusted plate I had... it showed some blisters... and bubbles where the rust was... and when I touched them the blisters broke leaving some treated metal and scales of black... so I had to go back to my old method... which is IMHo the only one that works without fail... muriatic acid, used full strength... and follow it with lots of water and baking soda... then remove water... as much as you can, using acetone... and careful acetone will eat paint .... then use the Kreem stuff to seal it... Many more precautions/tips are there... which I will go into when you decide to go this route ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[500rider]

Yep, the black oxide stuff is not really good for inside a tank since it will still break off and clog your filter or jets.  I decided to get it done by a shop since I did not want the hassle of dealing with the chemicals required to do the job and disposing of them.  They also sealed the tank with a commercially available sealer as opposed to the Kreem or POR 15 stuff.

[JetSwing]

check this article out...http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/Rust/

it's a "safe" chemical...you can order them here.

you can also try the kreem tank treatment. it works well but it uses harsh chemicals. it doesn't harm the metal but will harm the paint. also, you have to be careful about getting flash rust during the process.

[gs50000e]

DO NOT USE KREEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The stuff is a terrible product.  Not only does it use harsh chemicals and not work well.  It leaves your tank looking like the leftovers of a porno flick.  

Use por-15.  It is the best product on the market and leaves your tank interior a shiny sliver.

I spent 3 weeks trying to restore my tank, 2 weeks were trying to get the KREEM (its called that for a reason, skeet skeet skeet) out after I saw what it did.

I also suffered eye damage from looking in the tank filler hole so remember to wear goggles at all times.

[tkm433]

Just recently purchased a 98 GS500.  Runs great, but I have noticed rust in the gas tank.  I want to get this taken care of before it becomes a real problem.  Are there any over the counter chemicals available for rust removal?  Or any recommended companies in the Houston area that do this type of work?

Thanks in advance.

I used this http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

This is a two part Epoxy mix that you mix up like a fibergalss resin. When done this stuff will last forever.

[treybrad]

I just got done using POR15. Seems to have worked well. Took about a week to do, since you want to make sure everything dries up ok. I've only put about 500mi on the bike since, but so far so good.

trey

[The Buddha]

DO NOT USE KREEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The stuff is a terrible product.  Not only does it use harsh chemicals and not work well.  It leaves your tank looking like the leftovers of a porno flick.  

Use por-15.  It is the best product on the market and leaves your tank interior a shiny sliver.

I spent 3 weeks trying to restore my tank, 2 weeks were trying to get the KREEM (its called that for a reason, skeet skeet skeet) out after I saw what it did.

I also suffered eye damage from looking in the tank filler hole so remember to wear goggles at all times.

Hey Dilly... You haven't seen my Kreem instruction page have you... The problme is this with kreem kit... barely enough acid for 1 tank, and that fill with water and sit 24 hours = crap..., and not even enough Acetone for 1/2 a tank, and enough kreem for 5 tanks if properly treated... takes 2-3 tries before you can do it well... and the first 2 tanks I did barely made it alive... then I got smart... and I can now do it in my sleep... and BTW the thin coating method aka porno flick method is best for a well prepped tank or one that has no rust to start with and you wanna keep it that way. I buy muriatic acid and acetone or mek at home depot, and just the white Kreem part not the full kit... and do it with acid in full strength... just be quick and do it in the open...
Cool.
Srinath.

[sblandin68]

Where can I pick up por-15? Cost?

[treybrad]

I got mine off eBay for ~$30.

trey