Has Anyone Used Ready Strip to Clean a Gastank

[Chuck Kuntz]

I wonder if a process such as ready strip would do a good job or cleaning the rust and goop from my gas tank.

[37 Coupe]

Yes it would if it is a true Redi-Strip process as used years ago.I had several tanks clean as new in the mid eighties in Columbus Ohio. Make sure where you go it is not now an acid etch remover. The place I always went to had moved and was no longer a Redi-Strip franchiser but he showed me the same tanks and said it was the same process.Turned out they used acid not reverse electrolis and ruined two doors for me they left in too long.Also ruined an oil pan. Wish we still had a Redi-Strip close by.I don't know how acid can be more acceptable to EPA but that was what I was told.

[rotorwrench]

Various mild acids like acetic acid will remove iron oxides but it takes a while. A chelating agents like Evapo-Rust will also remove iron oxides. Full acidic rust removers are generally around 65 to 80% water with 25 to 30% phosphoric acid and 1 to 3% sulfuric acid.

Electrolysis is also a way to remove iron oxides using DC current and a cathode to pull the oxides apart from the base metal. The EPA problem was with storage and disposal of alkaline electrolytes after they are spent. I don't know of any Redi-Strip shops around my location any more. The last one I used closed down due to the expense of operation back in the 80s.

[tinkirk]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kuntz

I wonder if a process such as ready strip would do a good job or cleaning the rust and goop from my gas tank.

E-85 will do a great job

[40-A Twins]

I took one of my Model A gas tanks to a chemical clean shop in the mid 90's (can't remember if it was Ready Strip or not after all these years). It came back clean but most of the solder sealing the steering column clamp also disappeared during the cleaning process. When I resoldered the seam using a flame, I piped exhaust from a running lawnmower into the tank to reduce any chance of explosion. Yes it should have been clean and vapor free after the cleaning.
Kevin

[kawagumby]

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Got some kids who need work? Get a bunch of small metal (hah) nuts and throw them in the tank and have the kids shake it up down and all around until the rust is gone. It takes a while but it works on any gas tank. I do put in a bit of acid (whatever I have laying around - diluted with water to help things along). I used to do the work myself, but kids will work better than my old bones now. Seal the openings well to protect the paint.

[redmodelt]

re nuts or rocks yes sure in the section you can see into! What ever you put in the tank has to get past the baffles. Go down to post 18; https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...2260&showall=1

[kawagumby]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

re nuts or rocks yes sure in the section you can see into! What ever you put in the tank has to get past the baffles. Go down to post 18; https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...2260&showall=1

Sure, the baffles would keep you from seeing in those areas, but there's plenty of room above them for the nuts or whatever to get in and to work each end. You can tell by sound where they are and for making sure they all get out. Just my $.02. It is a lot of work - I've done tanks where you could not see all parts, but you could gauge the finish based on what you can see.

If someone is concerned about being able to see each compartment (I wouldn't), don't forget, snake inspection cameras for cell phones are cheap, most between $20 or $50, or you could buy something like this:


https://www.harborfreight.com/digita...le|||61839&utm

A little mounting ingenuity and you're there!

[john in illinois]

I have not taken tanks to redistrip, however I have taken engines and it removes all babbit. I would think solder in tank would be danaged.

We have one in Indianapolis, if still there.

John

[texas webb]

Originally Posted by tinkirk

E-85 will do a great job

I agree with tinkirk E-85 is a good cleaner but lousy as a fuel,A gallon is cheap.

[Wick]

Dollar General brand toilet bowl cleaner works.