45% Vinegar
- Thread starter PeteVS
- Start date
sidevalve8ba
Well-known member
Grocery store vinegar is only 5%.
highbeams
Well-known member
Had no idea regarding the vinegar.
Ten+ years ago = my '36 half-ton: a radiator-cleaning business, rodded the radiator thoroughly. Then professionally ''halved the gas tank, exactly as the two halves were brand new. The tank halves were gleaming inside and out. Then exact-welded the halves as they were originally. Painted the tank and the radiator.
I'd do the tank on this '33 the same way but, disappointingly, the previous owner mentioned he 'put in' a new tank. The ONLY part 'n piece of the car that is not '33.
Ten+ years ago = my '36 half-ton: a radiator-cleaning business, rodded the radiator thoroughly. Then professionally ''halved the gas tank, exactly as the two halves were brand new. The tank halves were gleaming inside and out. Then exact-welded the halves as they were originally. Painted the tank and the radiator.
I'd do the tank on this '33 the same way but, disappointingly, the previous owner mentioned he 'put in' a new tank. The ONLY part 'n piece of the car that is not '33.
A 45% vinegar product sounds pretty acidic. I'm not doubting the expert's opinion, but I'd be curious of using a product like Evaporust vs. something with that much acid.
I've cleaned parts with store bought 5% vinegar and found it to be pretty aggressive.
Home Depot sells a 12% vinegar. Maybe start with that strength first? I dunno know. Just a suggestion.
Is there still old gummy, stale gas in the tank you are cleaning? If so, I can see how the acidic product would be a better choice then.
I've cleaned parts with store bought 5% vinegar and found it to be pretty aggressive.
Home Depot sells a 12% vinegar. Maybe start with that strength first? I dunno know. Just a suggestion.
Is there still old gummy, stale gas in the tank you are cleaning? If so, I can see how the acidic product would be a better choice then.
sugarmaker
Well-known member
Pete,
Getting my electrolysis tank set up to clean some castings, sheet metal, and stampings for a summer tractor project.
I use Arm&Hammer washing soda for the mix into water. Have us d electrolysis many times to clean parts. I did one tractor gas tank. You need to submerg the tank in the he solution and have a anode inside the tank, not touching the tank.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl
Getting my electrolysis tank set up to clean some castings, sheet metal, and stampings for a summer tractor project.
I use Arm&Hammer washing soda for the mix into water. Have us d electrolysis many times to clean parts. I did one tractor gas tank. You need to submerg the tank in the he solution and have a anode inside the tank, not touching the tank.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl
Ken/Alabama
Well-known member
Flathead Fever
Well-known member
First thing is to remove the beer botltle caps from inside the tank. My dad bought this '32 roadster and drove it that way. Who knows how many years those were in there. Then he let it sit for at least 15-years years and the gas tuned to varnish. It wouldn't make it to the end of the driveway without plugging the fuel line.
I fill the tanks partly with sand blasting sand. I take the tip off a blow gun and replace it with a bendable steel brake line. Stick it in the tank and move it around. The ricocheting sand gets it clean top and bottom. It helps to rotate the tank. It's one heck of a mess and the fumes that keep coming out will just about kill you. That's not sand coming out in the photo but dried varnished powdered gas and it probably has lead in it. I run a bore scope camera down in there behind the baffles and it's as clean as it can be. If I've missed a spot, I bend the metal line, so it aims in that area and go at it some more. It takes a whole day to do it but its bare metal clean when I'm done. You absolutely must wear a charcoal respirator, or the fumes will make you sick. Absolutely not worth it if you have access to chemical dipping place but if not, it can be done this way at home. I'm on 11 acres, I could not get away doing this in a tract home. These sand blasting days are when I really consider looking for a new hobby.
I use Tractor Supply's' Diamond Black blast media. It's coal slag with sharp edges. They have the cheapest blasting media I have found near me. I bought a Nidage wireless endoscope that works with your smart phone. For as cheap as this tool was it works really well for inspecting the inside on the tank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1FFWppknTc
I fill the tanks partly with sand blasting sand. I take the tip off a blow gun and replace it with a bendable steel brake line. Stick it in the tank and move it around. The ricocheting sand gets it clean top and bottom. It helps to rotate the tank. It's one heck of a mess and the fumes that keep coming out will just about kill you. That's not sand coming out in the photo but dried varnished powdered gas and it probably has lead in it. I run a bore scope camera down in there behind the baffles and it's as clean as it can be. If I've missed a spot, I bend the metal line, so it aims in that area and go at it some more. It takes a whole day to do it but its bare metal clean when I'm done. You absolutely must wear a charcoal respirator, or the fumes will make you sick. Absolutely not worth it if you have access to chemical dipping place but if not, it can be done this way at home. I'm on 11 acres, I could not get away doing this in a tract home. These sand blasting days are when I really consider looking for a new hobby.
I use Tractor Supply's' Diamond Black blast media. It's coal slag with sharp edges. They have the cheapest blasting media I have found near me. I bought a Nidage wireless endoscope that works with your smart phone. For as cheap as this tool was it works really well for inspecting the inside on the tank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1FFWppknTc
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John Gibson
Senior Member
Some Ace Hardware stores have 45% Vinegar in stock!
There are many ways to accomplish this, my way was first a gallon of acetone to dissolve the varnish then a gallon of muratic acid to derust followed by a gallon of metal prep which contains phosphoric acid and prevents flash rust. Rinse well between and neutralize the muratic with baking soda. The acid can be saved to use on other things.
PeteVS
Well-known member
Went to the Depot today and bought a gallon of 30%. I'll play with it and see how it works.