Cleaning Tank

[TheFableTheFury]

I inherited a 2000GS from family member. It has less than 1000 miles on it. Problem is, it has just sat this entire time.
The tank sucks. There is some left over sealant that apparently didn't seal too well. Its a whitish color, I don't know what sealant that is likely to be...

Anyway, I have tried everything to get that out... acetone, laquer thinner, dawn dish soap, rust remover, chains, nails....

So I don't need suggestions for a way to get it out... its not coming out. My question is, should I try and use a sealant over it or just say screw it?

I have evaporust in the tank right now, trying to get as much gas out as possible. The carbs have been professionally rebuilt...this tank has been a 3 month hassle.
I'm tired of sweeping a dirt floor... and am ready to ride. Any suggestions on what to do at this point? Aside from the obvious, like buying a new tank or bike...

[fleshpiston]

White stuff in tank? Probably Kreem brand tank sealer.

This stuff will supposedly remove the old Kreem sealant .....

http://www.por15.com/HEAVY-DUTY-CYCLE-TANK-REPAIR-KIT_p_60.html

I'm sure you can get the stripper separately if you didn't want to spend the $$ on the whole kit.

[NikonAndy]

I second POR 15. I had rust and stuff in my tank from sitting for 4 years with old gas in it. Took me about 4 hours to do the tank with the kit. Any left over surface rust inside once I was done was coated with the POR sealant and she looks all pretty and silver inside now, no remaining bits clunking around when I shake it.

The worst part for me was draining the tank everytime for each stage. A lot of patience and shaking and a heat gun is your friend.

I got my kit for $45 at a local paint shop, Wesco paints. Depending on where you are you may have a reseller that has them in stock. Wesco is northwest US.

[TheFableTheFury]

Andy, did you remove old failed sealant with the kit?

[NikonAndy]

There seemed to be old sealant that was coming out, but I couldn't tell if it was old sealant or just crap in the tank. It was pretty bad in there. Like a sandstorm dumped in it. It's all good now though with the POR 15 kit. Really tight seal over everything inside. I can't guarantee that POR 15 will seal over an old sealant inside, but if it were me I'd do it. The POR 15 sealant is solid in there and there's nothing it didn't cover and seal properly in mine.

[TheFableTheFury]

Cound't find any MEK, my bike mechanic said when he can't find MEK he uses Naptha. Found some. As soon as I get the petcock hole plugged, I'm gonna try that. Bought Kreem yesterday. He swears by it, been using it since the 80's. In his opinion, it works great, if you do the prep correctly.

[TheFableTheFury]

MEK all the way!!! I put part two of the Kreem system in, which is just MEK, and it melted ALL the old Kreem within a couple minutes.
I have to start the system all over now, but well worth the extra day since, with the exception of the seams, the tank is clean as a whistle.