Diablo tank insides

[Storkfoot]

My powder coaters forgot to cover the neck months ago. Result was insides got a liberal cover of powder coating.

I tried caustic soda, hydrochloric acid and elbow grease to get it out. I had minimal success but thought it might be ok. Now after 4 months of being immersed in petrol, I discover that petrol is better at removing it!

I need a quick fix as Mull Rally approaches. I am planning to get the insides shotblasted as I can't think of any other remedy. I know I Shall have to rinse the insides repeatedly afterwards.

Has anyone any other remedies for this?

[ToBoldlyGo]

You say you've had petrol in it. Does that mean to say you've been using it? If it's not done any harm what's the problem?

[Jim Rose]

I have a similar problem with the central tank on the one I took to Germany. I've got a small inline filter on the petrol line to pick up the bits. The filter is clear so I can see when it's filling up and you can the wash it out easily at the roadside. Not perfect but may be what you need for Mull

[Storkfoot]

I blew a hole in the piston. I have now rebuilt the engine, was just about to strobe it, then looked in the tank for petrol.

I attributed the seizure to an air leak but the amount of chunks of powder coat lying at the bottom of the tank is not good and needs sorting. Anyway, the tank is out now.

Jim, I don't especially like fuel filters having had starvation problems caused by one years ago. I have a PHBH so it does have the filter in the tank and one on the carb. I'll probably swap the line to a clear one though.

Whether the shotblasters can blast through the neck of the tank is, of course, another question.

[roli150lam]

Water jetting,worth a try with a pressure washer.

[roli150lam]

Water jetting,worth a try with a pressure washer.

[roli150lam]

Water jetting,worth a try with a pressure washer.
Do it three times.

[Vmakgp]

I blew a hole in the piston. I have now rebuilt the engine, was just about to strobe it, then looked in the tank for petrol.

I attributed the seizure to an air leak but the amount of chunks of powder coat lying at the bottom of the tank is not good and needs sorting. Anyway, the tank is out now.

Jim, I don't especially like fuel filters having had starvation problems caused by one years ago. I have a PHBH so it does have the filter in the tank and one on the carb. I'll probably swap the line to a clear one though.

Whether the shotblasters can blast through the neck of the tank is, of course, another question.

Be very carefull with shot blasting as I e just had a set of Italian dl pannels warped , the ristricted acces could end up causing a bulge in the tank !
Have you tried a couple of handful of cors pebbles and half a bottle of rust eater or paint stripper ,, and leave it in for a couple of days n just keep washing the pebbles about to help scour it , did a lovely job on the rust on the inside of my old tank !

[Storkfoot]

I haven't tried pressure jetting, Roli. I won't be able to get to most of it though which I suppose is my fear of the shotblasting. The paint stripper idea occurred to me too.

I am going to have a chat with a shotblaster in the morning. See what he thinks.

[coaster]

A couple of handfulls of pebbles, wrap it in an old sleeping bag and find a cement mixer to tumble it in for an hour or so. I'd have said tumbel drier but the diablo will be too big

[Mel K]

http://ri.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV0k ... 4LW3bpKLM-
Take your tank here, inside, it'll be better than new when you get it back

[MickYork]

You can buy Powder Coat stripper. I've used it before and it lifts the powder coat in a few minutes. Just Google for Powder Coat stripper and you'll find it.

[bsso78]

Ultrasonic cleaning would be the cleanest most effective way of getting it out if you can find a tank big enough to fit your tank in.

[coaster]

Ultrasonic cleaning would be the cleanest most effective way of getting it out if you can find a tank big enough to fit your tank in.

I think that might 'clean' the outside too

[bsso78]

Ultrasonic cleaning would be the cleanest most effective way of getting it out if you can find a tank big enough to fit your tank in.

I think that might 'clean' the outside too

No shit Sherlock
Maybe getting it all off and starting again would be a good idea if it's that bad?

[Storkfoot]

Powder coaters tell me it's not powder coat inside and, thinking about it, years ago I did put sealant on part of the inside after a pin hole had been welded up. It looks like my choices are cut it open or ultrasonically clean but I shall do a bit more investigation.

Edit: Tankcare Products do a petseal remover. I have just ordered some online. Their other products are good in my experience.

I'll have a go at breaking the big pieces up with a jet spray and then use this. Sorry to have mislead everyone with thinking it was powder coat. p

[Toddy]

Powder coaters tell me it's not powder coat inside and, thinking about it, years ago I did put sealant on part of the inside after a pin hole had been welded up. It looks like my choices are cut it open or ultrasonically clean but I shall do a bit more investigation.

Edit: Tankcare Products do a petseal remover. I have just ordered some online. Their other products are good in my experience.

I'll have a go at breaking the big pieces up with a jet spray and then use this. Sorry to have mislead everyone with thinking it was powder coat. p

We will let you off this time Paul Tank care products are good for both cleaning and sealing

[Storkfoot]

Half an hour spent tonight and I have got all the loose bits out. Looking at the pieces on the floor, it looks nothing like powder coat

[xenia1]

Fill it with paint thinner, this will melt away any powder coat residue. Go to a car paint supplier and get 5L of gun cleaner, same stuff just a lot cheaper..

[Storkfoot]

....Edit: Tankcare Products do a petseal remover. I have just ordered some online.....

Just to finish off this thread.

I suspect the issue with the sealant was that when the tank was re-powder coated, it was put in an oven and this started breaking down the sealant. Petrol then started getting at it and bits started breaking off. That's my theory anyway.

The Tankcare petseal remover has worked. It does break down the sealant and gets it to peel away. It is still hard work to get it all out of the tank though but it is done now.

Thanks again for all the ideas.