How do you clean a fuel storage tank?

   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #11  
SPYDERLK said:
Pressure washer. Wave a turbo nozzle around at the bottom inside for a while. The sides and top dont need any special attention-any sediment will be on the bottom.
larry
What about a drum that needs the sides and top cleaned too ??
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #12  
SPYDERLK said:
Pressure washer. Wave a turbo nozzle around at the bottom inside for a while. The sides and top dont need any special attention-any sediment will be on the bottom.
larry


If you have access to one, a PW with steam does a fantastic job.
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #13  
Glowplug said:
Then I'll have to construct a 10-foot tall fence topped with razor wire; install a security system with motion sensors and laser trips; and buy a guard dog!!

My system/set up is in a locked building.
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #14  
LBrown59 said:
What about a drum that needs the sides and top cleaned too ??
There are drum cleaning nozzles that spray back at an angle. I think I got mine from Northern Hydraulic. Fairly inexpensive fortunately, since I have never felt enuf need to use it to justify putting it on. When I ever wash inside tubing I will use it.
larry
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #15  
SPYDERLK said:
There are drum cleaning nozzles that spray back at an angle. I think I got mine from Northern Hydraulic. Fairly inexpensive fortunately, since I have never felt enuf need to use it to justify putting it on. When ever i wash inside tubing I will use it.
larry
Thanks for the tip.

I don't know if the white plastic 55 gallon drum I have will clean up or not.
The stuff in it is pretty gooey and tough.

It Had a product in it Called Zestie Smoke.
It's a liquid used in meat packing plants and poultry processing plants to give the meat a smoked flavor.

The drum wasn't cleaned out and has quit a bit of the residue on the sides and bottom inside.

The drum must have set in the hot sun for weeks or months and baked the stuff.

It's black gooey sticky stuff & like road tar.

So far I haven't found anything that will cut or dissolve it.

I've tried engine degreaser and gasoline and neither of those will touch it.

In dire need of hints and suggestions.
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #16  
john_bud said:
If you have access to one, a PW with steam does a fantastic job.
Think it would clean this drum?



I don't know if the white plastic 55 gallon drum I have will clean up or not.
The stuff in it is pretty gooey and tough.
It Had a product in it Called Zestie Smoke.
It's a liquid used in meat packing plants and poultry processing plants to give the meat a smoked flavor.
The drum wasn't cleaned out and has quit a bit of the residue on the sides and bottom inside.
The drum must have set in the hot sun for weeks or months and baked the stuff.
It's black gooey sticky stuff & like road tar.
So far I haven't found anything that will cut or dissolve it.
I've tried engine degreaser and gasoline and neither of those will touch it.
In dire need of hints and suggestions.
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #17  
I'd try soap and water. Usually products used as food additives are water soluble. Normal solvents don't necessarily desolve them.

Bob
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #18  
LBrown59 said:
Thanks for the tip.

I don't know if the white plastic 55 gallon drum I have will clean up or not.
The stuff in it is pretty gooey and tough.
It Had a product in it Called Zestie Smoke.
The drum must have set in the hot sun for weeks or months and baked the stuff.
It's black gooey sticky stuff & like road tar.
So far I haven't found anything that will cut or dissolve it.
I've tried engine degreaser and gasoline and neither of those will touch it.

In dire need of hints and suggestions.
For foodstuffs water is probably best. A looong soak, maybe with some dish soap mixed in.
larry
 
   / How do you clean a fuel storage tank? #19  
LBrown59 said:
Think it would clean this drum?



I don't know if the white plastic 55 gallon drum I have will clean up or not.
The stuff in it is pretty gooey and tough.
It Had a product in it Called Zestie Smoke.
It's a liquid used in meat packing plants and poultry processing plants to give the meat a smoked flavor.
The drum wasn't cleaned out and has quit a bit of the residue on the sides and bottom inside.
The drum must have set in the hot sun for weeks or months and baked the stuff.
It's black gooey sticky stuff & like road tar.
So far I haven't found anything that will cut or dissolve it.
I've tried engine degreaser and gasoline and neither of those will touch it.
In dire need of hints and suggestions.
LBrown here's a link to the zesti smoke page. It sounds like most of them are water based but they do make a couple of soybean oil versions too.
http://www.mastertaste.com/files/file_107.pdf
I'd fill it with water and let it soak in the sun a few days. If it's water based you will see it start to disolve on it's own, and tint the water. If that's the case then some dish washing detergent added to the water would probably cut it.
I'll bet the smell will remain and add a nice smoked smell to your diesel. And your exhaust will smell like Ham or Bacon. ;)
 
 
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