Getting rust out of fuel tank

[john63]

Just wondering if I should use a 100 gal. Fuel tank that was stored outside? I drained it mostly water with rust came out of it. How's the best way to clean it out to be used again? Or should I just not use it?

 

[Barnbuilder]

They make some stuff you can pour in there and its suppose to seal the metal. I have no idea what its called. I used an old 300 gallon fuel oil tank. I put a filter on it but still had crud go through it.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I had one that was full of rust. I gave it away and went buy a new one at Tractor Supply. I didn't thing it was worth the chance of ruining a fuel pump.

 

[KYErik]

Add some laundry detergent and give it a good rinse at home (to get out most of the fuel residue), then throw it in the back of your truck/on a trailer and take it to the carwash and power wash the inside (you should be able to hit most of the lower surface through the fill hole). I've done this to several old motorcycle gas tanks with pretty good results. You are one a much bigger scale but the principle is the same.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Put a bunch of 1/4 or 3/8 pea gravel and 5 GL water in it and roll around till it is bright and shining inside. Dump it and rinse good.

Ron

 

[flusher]

Put a bunch of 1/4 or 3/8 pea gravel and 5 GL water in it and roll around till it is bright and shining inside. Dump it and rinse good.

Ron

Good idea if the tank is cylindrical. A problem if it's anything but.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Put a bunch of 1/4 or 3/8 pea gravel and 5 GL water in it and roll around till it is bright and shining inside. Dump it and rinse good.

Ron

Rather than pea gravel that is round with no sharp edges, use a crushed stone. It will scour much better.

 

[powerscol]

Run down to you local hardware store or Home Dippo and pick up a gallon of Liquid rust remover. I forgot what is in it but it does a good job. You can also use muratic acid (concrete cleaner), but wear a good ventilation mask. Once cleaned with that get a bottle of rust converter (turns rust black and seals it) - it seals what left.

But backing up a few years I helped a friend pressure wash the inside of his tank. He had one of those rotating turbo nozzles set on a 90 degree fitting. Seemed to do a good job. He used some purple Zep stuff. I was the tank tipper and he worked the wand.

Hope this helps