using lye to clean a gas tank

greycharger · Mar 20, 2019

Cleaning a gas tank and am wondering what others have done. Thinner didn't work. I bought a 50 pound bag of lye today and plan to use it. Has anyone used it? It's what radiator shops used. I'm wondering how to determine a mix ratio and strength. Obviously, it is very dangerous stuff.

JimKueneman · Mar 20, 2019

Gas tanks are so inexpensive these days is it worth the effort?

Big Bad Dad · Mar 21, 2019

I used the POR15 kit. The cleaner was called "Marine Clean", if I remember correctly. Worked well.

493 Mike · Mar 21, 2019

I used a product named "Spartan Cleaner" and it worked well. I mixed and poured it in tank, sealed and shook it up several times in 24 hours, and pressure washed it out before coating. A mouse had died in the tank also.
Mike

greycharger · Mar 21, 2019

JimKueneman said:
Gas tanks are so inexpensive these days is it worth the effort?

The tank is not reproduced

streetwedg · Mar 21, 2019

I used viniger in my motorcycle tank.

greycharger · Mar 21, 2019

Big Bad Dad said:
I used the POR15 kit. The cleaner was called "Marine Clean", if I remember correctly. Worked well.

The safety data sheet for Marine Clean says it is Potasium Hydroxide, a type of Lye.
Marine Clean is by weight: 90 % distilled water, 4% Potasium Hydroxide, 2% surfactant (water wetter) and 4% ethoxylated undecyl alcohol.
I'll call the chemical store to find out about the ethoxylated undecyl alcohol and maybe make my own Marine Clean.
I paid $1 per pound for the Lye.

khryslerkid · Mar 21, 2019

greycharger said:
The tank is not reproduced

So you're not working on a Charger?

Be extra careful with the lye. Outside with a respirator. Watch mixing different chemicals.

beanhead · Mar 21, 2019

khryslerkid said:
So you're not working on a Charger?

Be extra careful with the lye. Outside with a respirator. Watch mixing different chemicals.

And when you're done mix it with some water and soak some whitefish in there.....mmmm lutefisk.

greycharger · Mar 21, 2019

khryslerkid said:
So you're not working on a Charger?

Be extra careful with the lye. Outside with a respirator. Watch mixing different chemicals.

Working on a Chrysler... and now I think the black guck is not fuel residue, but a sealer... and factory at that! It's soaking in lye, but I don't think lye is going to cut it. Now I'm thinking acetone or alcohol.

khryslerkid · Mar 21, 2019

greycharger said:
Working on a Chrysler... and now I think the black guck is not fuel residue, but a sealer... and factory at that! It's soaking in lye, but I don't think lye is going to cut it. Now I'm thinking acetone or alcohol.

Inside my old tank. Looks like varnish and probably lead deposits. Bought a new one. Seam was leaking too.

using lye to clean a gas tank

greycharger

Well-Known Member

JimKueneman

Well-Known Member

Big Bad Dad

Well-Known Member

493 Mike

FBBO Gold Member

greycharger

Well-Known Member

streetwedg

Well-Known Member

greycharger

Well-Known Member

khryslerkid

FBBO Gold Member

beanhead

May I Land My Kinky Machine

greycharger

Well-Known Member

khryslerkid

FBBO Gold Member

Similar threads