Can I wash rust out of a steel fuel tank

I have neglected 2 Coleman 500 stoves and am looking to remedy this. Both stoves have had fuel in them for 4-5 years. When i dumped the old fuel into a clean glass pitcher it was discolored and had a lot of rust sediment. This was not chunks but more of a slurry that had little cohesion but was still magnetic.
I cleaned both with multiple denatured alcohol rinses, reusing the alcohol by funneling thru fine mesh and muslin. On the worst of the two I added a dozen BB's for a couple of rinses. They are harder to get out than get in. The final washes were pretty clean.
My question is to anyone who has used a vinegar wash in a steel tank. I have seen an unclear description talking about this. The process seemed to call for a vinegar rinse, followed by a baking soda rinse and then a water wash out and alcohol rinse to get rid of the water. Does anyone recognize this method and I would like to know the proportions to use.
Undiluted vinegar?
Baking soda in what proportions to water?
How long to let stand or not at all?
And is the result satisfactory
Thanks for any advice

 

I would recommend using Evapo-Rust instead of vinegar. Much safer and the results are good.

Ben

 

I use lye for a few hours or o/n, be careful. I do this on worse case scenarios than you describe.
Duane

 

Thanks you. This sounds like a "solution"

 

Thanks. I have not used this before and my unfamiliarity makes me nervous. Funny that the fuels and flames don't.

 

@Paul B Job done, check for pin-holes.

The tin worm had gone too far on this Speedmaster of mine!

 

If too worried about how to clean, CF has rust inhibitors so no further rusting some be an issue in your lifetime. Chunks might have been another thing. Just empty founts each season, let air dry. I poke a rag or some paper towels in the fuel bung then shake real good, then let the rest of the fuel evaporate.
Duane

 

@Paul B
I have used vinegar to remove rust inside the fuel tank.
If it's all steel undiluted 4% white vinegar, if steel base in brass tank diluted 1/1 with water. Use a good hand full of BB's or steel nuts and shake vigorously at regular intervals.
Then finished off with Phosphoric acid (rust converter).

If you don't want it coming back seal the inside of the tank with one of the preparations for sealing motorbike fuel tanks like Por 15 but other brands are available.

 

Thanks Martin
I did a complete POR 15 treatment on a favorite kero lantern. it was pricey and long but came out very well. I like the idea of Evapo- Rust being reusable