Rust/Tank Sealer - Ducati.ms

jjvj23 · Nov 18th, 2011, 10:29 pm

So I have done quite a bit of reading and watching you-tube videos and it seems to me that the best thing to use to clean a gas tank from rust would be Por-15. Anyone have any other ideas or comments. My apologies if this opens Pandora's box but I would love to hear what everyone thinks before diving into another project!

flynbulldog · Nov 19th, 2011, 1:07 am

por-15 is a coating not a cleaner, very bad idea - it's crap
Try this instead electrolytic rust removal: it really works
If you need to coat it afterward use Caswell

jjvj23 · Nov 19th, 2011, 3:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynbulldog

por-15 is a coating not a cleaner, very bad idea - it's crap
Try this instead electrolytic rust removal: it really works
If you need to coat it afterward use Caswell

It's my understanding that Por-15 is both a cleaner and a coating. Here is a link to the cycle kit that is sold.

CYCLE TANK REPAIR KIT-POR-15 Inc.

betarace · Nov 19th, 2011, 5:16 am

Use the Caswell product. Follow the directions to a T.

Nuff said.

va duc · Nov 19th, 2011, 5:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by betarace

Use the Caswell product. Follow the directions to a T.

Nuff said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynbulldog

por-15 is a coating not a cleaner, very bad idea - it's crap
Try this instead electrolytic rust removal: it really works
If you need to coat it afterward use Caswell

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjvj23

It's my understanding that Por-15 is both a cleaner and a coating. Here is a link to the cycle kit that is sold.

CYCLE TANK REPAIR KIT-POR-15 Inc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by betarace

Use the Caswell product. Follow the directions to a T.

Nuff said.

POR-15 is a cleaner and a coating. I have seen 1 tank done with this, turned out well so far. It was not as rusty as the op's

Caswell is an epoxy sealer. It cleans nothing, just seals everything in place. I used it on my tank.

I have read that some people use the Caswell when other products fail.

Its all about the prep and proper installation.

I would try as flynbulldog suggest with a tank that bad off.

Dmitry · Nov 19th, 2011, 6:47 am

If all you want is ti remove rust use Metal Rescue, 1 gallon jug cost $25, works wonders and does NOT damage paint

went from this

to this (have lots of rusty tanks so I got 5 gallons for $90)

If you want to seal it it's another story, I have tried them all!

Used to swear by Red Cote, local radiator shop did it for $40/tank, only issue if he had to dip it it would damage paint, but the coating never came off. Than I had one tank where the coating wrinkled, probably as they increased ethanol %%.

POR15, it's a 3 step process: Clean, Neutralize, Coat, takes a patient man to wait 5 days, YOU MUST FOLLOW IT TO A T! Tank MUST be clean before it's coated. Have seen more POR15 tanks go bad than anything, I suspect due to NOT following directions.

Causwell Epoxy is DA BOMB! all you need to do is remove loose rust, clean the inside with solvent LET IT DRY and then coat. It will bond to rust, it will not come off if properly used, it will seal small pinholes, just make sure not to seal vent tubes!

davy.j · Nov 19th, 2011, 7:22 am

The Caswell stuff is phenol novolac epoxy, just about the most chemical resistant epoxy available.
There is nothing else out there worth using to coat/seal a tank.
The application instructions here Epoxy Fuel Tank Sealer are very informative on the subject and are well worth a read:

.

Artistimo · Nov 19th, 2011, 1:11 pm

+1 on the Caswell. It's all I use for tanks now. I have used everything else over the years including Red Kote and Por-15. Like others I have seen many Por-15 jobs that didn't work when customers would do them at home to save money. Suspect it's more due to suspect prep but overall I don't think it rates compared to Caswell. Plus it dries overnight and you can put gas in it very soon. I have used various methods to clean the rust from tanks and most work fine. I usually paint tanks afterwards so that's a non-issue but this past year I've been lining an awful lot of Ducati plastic tanks. The prep for plastic and metal is different but it works great. Just have to pay attention to vents and mask things off properly.

MarkST · Nov 19th, 2011, 1:16 pm

Going against the grain here for a change, I have used the 3 step POR-15 system and am more than happy with the results. I wouldn't use or recommend anything else.

ttpete · Nov 19th, 2011, 5:13 pm

If you're going to do a complete paint strip, take the tank to a commercial paint strip operation. They will strip the paint and do an electrolytic rust removal, leaving bright clean metal. When it comes back, it will have a coating of water soluble oil to prevent rust. This needs to be cleaned off with a degreaser and hot water, then dried with heat.