Cleaning rust from gas tank

[save_old_iron]

Electrolysis.

Take a 1/2 pvc pipe about 8 -10 inches long and drill large holes straight thru the pipe at various heights corresponding to the gas tank depth.

Cap the bottom open end of the pipe.

Insert a metal sacrificial rod into the pvc pipe. The cap on the bottom of the plastic pipe insulates the sacrificial rod from shorting to the tank wall. Connect the RED charger lead to the rod in the pvc pipe.

The drilled holes allow the electrolyte solution poured into the gas tank to contact the sacrificial rod.

Attach the BLACK electrolysis lead to the gas tank itself.
Let it cook for several hours and behold rust free cleanliness down to the molecular level!

[coinman66]

Wow lots of ideas here. Thanks all!

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by save_old_iron

Electrolysis.

Take a 1/2 pvc pipe about 8 -10 inches long and drill large holes straight thru the pipe at various heights corresponding to the gas tank depth.

Cap the bottom open end of the pipe.

Insert a metal sacrificial rod into the pvc pipe. The cap on the bottom of the plastic pipe insulates the sacrificial rod from shorting to the tank wall. Connect the RED charger lead to the rod in the pvc pipe.

The drilled holes allow the electrolyte solution poured into the gas tank to contact the sacrificial rod.

Attach the BLACK electrolysis lead to the gas tank itself.
Let it cook for several hours and behold rust free cleanliness down to the molecular level!

electrolyte solution is washing soda? (I've looked for washing soda and can't find it) What is a brand name or are there other options?

[yeeter]

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

electrolyte solution is washing soda? (I've looked for washing soda and can't find it) What is a brand name or are there other options?

Baking soda will work, but not as aggressively.

This is a nice idea - an electrolysis tank, but only for the inside of the tank (you just have to separate the rod from the tank wall so it doesnt contact). Alternatively you could dip the whole tank in the electrolysis tank, but this soln is less mess/more self contained.

Molasses, Coke, also known to work.

[save_old_iron]

Originally Posted by yeeter

you just have to separate the rod from the tank wall so it doesnt contact

this is the function of the pvc tube and the capped end of the tube - the cap prevents the rod from touching the tank bottom and the pvc tube prevents the rod from touching the neck of the tank.

I'll either take a picture or do a drawing later today.

Chuck

[ironman]

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

electrolyte solution is washing soda? (I've looked for washing soda and can't find it) What is a brand name or are there other options?

I buy it at Walmart, it's in the laundry detergent section.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Arm-Hammer...55-oz/19407690