cleaning tanks

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by magpiestovie, Feb 5, 2020.

  1. magpiestovie

    magpiestovie Subscriber

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    hi All,
    just received my next project (Monitor J55)

    Something rattling around inside tank and a lot of black dust came out, but not the object.
    Anyway made me wonder what you would recommend to clean the inside of old fuel tanks.
    Up till now I have just swilled out with meth's, what is the best way I ask.

    thanks
    Alan
     
  2. redbaron8 United States

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    I have always used a quarter cup of BBs and a little fuel in the tank. Swirls and shake until the liquid comes out clean. Repeat as needed. Kind of like bead blasting so to speak. Cleaned out the rust in an old Coleman 2 burner and a lantern I bought for a few dollars. Cleaned up the fuels system and they run like a bat outta hell.
     
  3. magpiestovie

    magpiestovie Subscriber

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    thanks, worth a try, might break up the foreign object as well.
     
  4. Jeopardy

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    @redbaron8 Just to add to what @magpiestovie said, make sure the BBs are steel before you use them and you’ll be able to get them out using a magnet. Most filler ports protrude down into the fount to stop you over-filling. So you can’t just turn the tank over and expect all the BBs just to drop out.
    Regards
    John
     
  5. magpiestovie

    magpiestovie Subscriber

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    thanks-good point
     
  6. Jeopardy

    Jeopardy Subscriber

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    Sorry for swapping the names round above folk. No idea why I told the person giving the advice how to suck eggs as it were.
    Regards
    John
     
  7. redbaron8 United States

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    No worries. I have used steel and copper BBs. Just keep shaking the tank until all of them come out.
     
  8. magpiestovie

    magpiestovie Subscriber

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    hi,
    will try the BB's, in the meantime after a lot of shaking and a lot more luck the foreign body - a piece of wood-came out. see picture. I wonder what strange items people have found in their tanks. IMG_20200206_133945892.jpg
     
  9. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    +1.
    It is not a problem until you put them in a tank with a lip that will not allow them to be 'bounced' out. Better to use magnetic media.
     
  10. ROBBO55

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    @magpiestovie

    I use automotive lacquer thinners with BB's or steel nuts to remove the deposits left when old fuel evaporates away. The thinners will also remove these deposits that can block riser tubes.
     
  11. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Martin

    What kind of thinner: epoxy, or acrylic?

    Tony

    @ROBBO55
     
  12. ROBBO55

    ROBBO55 Subscriber

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    @Tony Press

    General Purpose but I'll say Acrylic.

    Super Cheap quite often has it on 1/2 price special.

    Thinners 1.JPG Thinners 2.JPG
     
  13. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Thanks, Martin.


    Tony