Drying the inside of a gass tank.... what is the best way?

**McDuck** · 5th September 2007, 12:13

I have the katanas tank off and mostly empty. For the stuff to work how dry dose it have to be on the inside? Also what is the best way to dry it?
Thanks guys.

**Paul in NZ** · 5th September 2007, 12:31

You using POR15?

Then the answer is - bone dry....

Get all the gas out - remove the taps etc and drain it all. Start with the varnish remover stuff in the kit and follow the directions. Then the rust stuff etc.

To dry the tank I get a source of warm air (heat gun etc) and blow warm ait into the tank - not blistering or you will loose all your paint... The stuff sets like rock so don't get it on the paintwork. I wrapped a tank in gladwrap and taped around all the holes to avoid that.

**McDuck** · 5th September 2007, 14:37

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

You using POR15?

Then the answer is - bone dry....

Get all the gas out - remove the taps etc and drain it all. Start with the varnish remover stuff in the kit and follow the directions. Then the rust stuff etc.

To dry the tank I get a source of warm air (heat gun etc) and blow warm ait into the tank - not blistering or you will loose all your paint... The stuff sets like rock so don't get it on the paintwork. I wrapped a tank in gladwrap and taped around all the holes to avoid that.

Thanking you...

**flyingscotsman** · 5th September 2007, 15:03

I used to dry stuff like this in the oven - much to my ex-wifes disgust. Seriously it's not as stupid as it sounds. I had a wee accident when drying a tank with a heat gun a few years back. The heat gun's heat source is a hot wire which ignited the fumes from the tank even though it had been washed out.

Not funny at the time.

**F5 Dave** · 5th September 2007, 16:38

An old Electrolux vacumm cleaner on Blow is a marvellous thing. Ok they were dreadful as vacuums but they blow out a pleasant warm draft after a while & is just the ticket.

Have to do a tank soon, don't feel like doing two do you?

Make some dummys covers up lest you kill the tap of course & then check how your tank breathes, probably cap on that.

Then the last one I forgot is there is a small hole in the tube in the filler just out of sight inside the tank. ie the vent for the last 1/2 litre of fuel. When this blocks up the last bit you put in the tank doesn't sink down & the full tank can later expand to overflow.

Can be hard to get to, an angled scribe is the ticket.

**McDuck** · 5th September 2007, 16:39

Ok. So i am thinking washing it out and putting it under the hot water cylinder..

**McDuck** · 5th September 2007, 16:45

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Have to do a tank soon, don't feel like doing two do you?

Your a little farr away....

**F5 Dave** · 5th September 2007, 16:49

Being lazy, I have a page of things to do yet to this bike, finding the tank was one I didn't need.

Someone please draft a letter to Suzuki. I've done virtually every one I've owned (had an original kat) bar the PE175 (plastic tank).

Make sure the missus isn't using the cupboard to dry clothes or they will stink & so will your name.

**boman** · 5th September 2007, 16:53

I agree about NOT using a heat gun. My heat gun has a nasty habit or occasionally throwing out hot sparks, which in humble opinion could be detremental to the health of both you and your gas tank.

**tri boy** · 5th September 2007, 17:14

Drain fuel. Remove taps etc. Good flush with water. Cup of Meths into tank and swirl around.(meths absorbs water droplets). Tip out meths. Leave tank overnight in a warm, dry environment.
Tank should be ready for the rest of the work.

**Warr** · 5th September 2007, 17:27

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

An old Electrolux vacuum cleaner on Blow is a marvellous thing. ......

What he said

**McDuck** · 5th September 2007, 17:33

umm have flushed with water (warm) and there sounds like about a cup of licuid down there, will not come out ither tap or (i am guessing) the reserve pickup.
I also used warm water (i could shove my hand in it) and half the paint on it has gone soft and pealed. FUCK. I would be real pissed if the tank did not need repainting anyway. So how do i get the last of the water out?
There is also what sounds like sand in the bottem of the tank.
Are these the signs of a buggered tank?