Rusty Tank, At Home Tank Sealers, etc

smi481

It is an age old question, from those of us who deal with vintage bikes.
What to do about a gas tank that has developed rust inside?

At the Mid America Vintage Bike Auction, held in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, three of the top vintage bike restorers, who brought their bikes to sell, were talking about just that problem and we overheard them all say that they now use the services of a company called "Rusteco" when they find rust in a pre-restored tank. No more sloppy home sealer/rust removal jobs for them.

http://www.rusteco.com/index.htm

When we arrived home, we went to their website and then called the company. We then sent a slightly rusted 1967 Yamaha tank to the Rusteco production facility, for rust removal. We could not be more pleased.

The technicians, at the Rusteco facility, recommend that we DO NOT use home brew backyard "sealer" kits. Because, when the sealer goes bad, how in the he_ _ do you remove that crusty layer of old sealer that is INSIDE the gas tank?

I spoke with Rusteco yesterday and they gave permission for us to print some of the questions/answers they have answered about the product, over the years, here -

1) Is RUSTECO harmful to paint, rubber or plastic?
No, it is completely safe.

2) Is RUSTECO hazardous to the environment? Does it pollute our air or water?
No, it does not have any adverse effect on the environment.

3) What about disposal?
Can be disposed without restrictions.

4) How about fumes and odor?
None, it is safe to use at work and home.

5) Does it etch the metal?
No, RUSTECO is safe on all metals incl. aluminum and chrome.

6) What about skin irritation?
No skin irritation.

7) Can the liquid clean the inside of rusty gas tanks?
Yes, without harming the paint.

Cool

Can I re-use the product?
Yes, it is designed for multiple repeat use.

9) What about protection?
RUSTECO has rust inhibitors that give protection against new oxidation.

When the factory receives your tank, they immerse it in a giant tank filled with the blue Rusteco mixture. 48 hours later, it is taken out and high pressure rinsed then re-immersed again for another 24 hours.

http://www.rusteco.com/MotorcycleCruiser.htm

It is finally rinsed, with a Rusteco rinse, (USE NO WATER), and sent back to the owner. We found that Rusteco absolutely did NOT hurt our tanks paint job.

Our tank went from looking old inside with rust "growing" in the rear inside corners .... to a bright clean tank, that is now silver inside with NO evidence of rust . And if you keep water out, the tank will not rust again .... Wow!

http://www.rusteco.com/auto.htm

What is most amazing to us ... is that Rusteco is some kind of chemical mixture that is NOT caustic, does not have a strong odor and their webpage even shows employees with their hands in the mixture!

http://www.rusteco.com/free2wheel.htm

You can do a Rusteco rust removal at home, by purchasing enough Rusteco to fill your tank and it can be reused again and again. When you are finished with the blue liquid ... the company suggests you pour it on your garden!!!

We are true believers. We bought a gallon, (in pint bottles), for our other restoration uses, (just imagine all the parts you have ... that have a little rust on them!).

We have already cleaned a 45 year old Petcock by soaking it in the Rusteco liquid, in an old margarine plastic container. The part went
from cruddy to bright, like new, silver aluminum!

Check out their webpage, or please give them a call. They always answered the phone for us, and they kept us informed when our tank arrived, when it was being treated and when it was come back, WITH shipping/tracking numbers emailed to us.

Plus .... they are familiar with V.J.M.C. and our bikes.

Two Thumbs Up for Rusteco! Very Happy

TMT Services Corp, 1400 Cota Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Tel: 562-432-4868, Fax: 562-436-3938
Toll-Free: 1-800-RUSTECO (1-800-787-8326)
E-mail: rusteco [at] aol [dot] com

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:55 am Post subject: Tank Rust Removal & Coating

Rusteco is awesome, I have heard. But... expensive. You never did say how much it cost to do the tank and how much for the stuff. I quoted it some time ago and found it was almost out of my price range. PS: I am using POR-15 U.S. Tank Sealer with good results. But I would love to get some Rusteco. $$$

smi481

You will have to call Rusteco for a price to clean your particular
tank. I have no idea what it will cost to clear somebody else's
tank of rust, due to size, how far the rust has progressed, etc.

We were impressed that three of America's best restorers
now utilize Rusteco's services and the price we were charged,
to have Rusteco's professionals clear our tank of rust, was no
where near being prohibitive.

I listed several internet pages, from Rusteco's webpage,
and independent articles about their treatment, plus
we listed their most common questions and answers to help
our members.

The liquid chemical prices are listed, on the webpages,
but they request that you call them directly for a price
quote on your particlular cleaning/derusting
job, BEFORE you send them your tank.

That is why I also listed their company phone number, fax number
and address, so our members can contact them direct.

hustler · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: Thanks SMI481!

Thanks SMI481.

Finally a clear explaination of one way to cure rusty
tanks. And the company website really helps.

In the past 45 years I have heard every "basement" cure
to rusty tanks from soaking the inside of the tank in Lemon
Juice, to pouring skin burning acid inside, to applying a
Do-it-Yourself coating inside ... even though I would have
no idea what I would be doing.

Called Rusteco, in California today. Nice to have professionals
handle my rusty tank problem. And they guarantee
their work.

Thanks again. Matt Wink

Biquetoast · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject:

Have you ever tried a small carton of BBs tossed in a tank, well-wrapped and stable in the center of a dryer for a no-heat tumble?

I have tried chemicals and electrolysis, and they both work, but there are often leftover lumps of "stuff" inside that these processes cannot remove alone, without the agitation...

hustler

Excellent point Biquetoast.

I asked the folks at Rusteco just that very question. "How does
Rusteco remove the rust that has been removed/dislodged from the tank
walls?"

They wrote - "All tanks we clean are pressure washed by a Rusteco
technician before and after the first treatment, flushing any large
chunks of rust or other debris from the tank. After the final immersion and
cleaning, forced air will be used to dry the protectant coating inside the tank."

Here are some pictures of them cleaning a tank and the
tech using the high pressure cleaning system ..... Wink

http://www.rusteco.com/MotorcycleCruiser.htm

smi481

On 2/2/07 KawiH1 wrote -

"I am going to buy Rusteco in the bottle
and do my own de-rusting, but I need to know how long
the chemical lasts if the bottles are kept cool
and out of the sun?"

We asked that same question KawiH1 and the folks at
Rusteco, on the phone, told us "Rusteco has easily a 5-7
year shelf life."

The liquid can also be reused, over and over.

VJMCMBCA · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: Rust in tanks...

I use a local radiator shop to boil out and seal my tanks......of course this only works on a tank you are going to repaint......this process removes the paint!!!

fasterspider · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

smi481, please goto your profile and fill in your location?

bikeboy

hondacustom · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:59 am Post subject:

location is a must for site membership

members without locations are SPAM Twisted Evil

tsk tsk why so harsh?

because it is a site requirement

BlueThunder · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

You're going to think I am crazy but.... I bought a 79 750F last fall where it was sitting for 10 years. The gas tank had lots of rust in the inside. I don't know where I got this tip but what I did was:

1. Seal with duct tape the bottom (after removing petcock)
2. Put nuts and bolts into the tank and shake like crazy. This will remove any large rust flakes and other crud.
3. Fill tank with Diet Coke. Don't know if regular Coke will work.. Let sit for 2 days.
4. Drain and "swish" with gasoline. Tank won't be bright but it will remove rust!

smi481 · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject: No relationship to Rusteco

"fasterspider Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject:
smi481, please goto your profile and fill in your location?"

"Gee, it maybe good stuff, but does anyone else get the impression
that this sounds like an advertorial? I didn't notice any disclaimers like
"I don't work for these guys but..." and he never did answer the question
about costs that Steve asked earlier. In fact he did everything NOT to
answer it. Even a ballpark would be useful? Just an observation ian"

Sorry guys, NO grand conspiracy here. We live in Michigan and I
have no relationship to Rusteco. We have used their service twice and
were pleased with the results. And yes, in the 50's and early 60's
we too poured caustic acids, B.B's and other rust removal brews into
our gas tanks. Only to see the rust return in a matter of weeks.

As I wrote before, we learned about Rusteco from world class Triumph and
Indian restorers who were at the 2006 Mid America Auction in Las Vegas.
We tried their service ourselves, having the company technicians clean the
tanks at their California facility and the results matched what the professional
restorers were talking about in Vegas. I just wanted our forum members
to know what we had found.

And in the previous posts, the text we quoted, came directly from
Rusteco's website and the companies answers to our own questions.
They are the experts and their website has a wealth of information,
including actual pictures, of their process.

That is why we gave their website repeatedly in the post and
asked interested members to contact Rusteco directly. We
thought their service would be of interest to other VJMC members
here.

Prices depend on the individual tank size and amount of rust
damage done. The company has a toll free number -
1-800-RUSTECO (1-800-787-8326), so give them a call if
you are interested in what it will cost to clean your own tank.

Happily, other members have now written us pleased with
the service and information.

genesound · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

Dearest smi481,

There is a link at the top of this page you are currently looking at... please go to the one labled "Profile" and put your location in there. It IS a site requirement, and WAS stipulated when you joined. We tend to get a little sticky about it because the rest of us all joined and adhered to the basic directions as well... I know for a fact you will not find a single post to me here or any other bike forums about this simple courtesy. Wink

genesound

genesound · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

OK guys... I bought some of this goo, and I have a few little rusty parts soaking in Rusteco right now... I'll get back to you with my evaluation in a while. Wink