Author Topic: cleaning an indian tank inside painted with flakey lead paint  (Read 1443 times)

Offline yar

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 HELP !!!  I have just purchased a super Rocket with an Indian replica tank fitted, to my dismay the tank was full of rubbish from some sort of I think red possibly lead flaky paint which, was so bad it blocked the taps and of course has gone down to the filter on the carb
Can any body advise on best way to clean out the tank. I have of course swished it around and dumped as much out as possible but looks like this rubbish paint used inside will continue to come off with petrol !!! has anybody come across this is there a way of sealing the inside against further
problems with this crap paint, taps also didn't have any filters on, I have heard of putting nuts or something inside to score the inside clean etc dont think somhow that it would remove all the paint, did think perhaps of trying to use paint thinners to disolve all the rubbish paint , If so will it still need to be sealed after
any thoughts will be appreciated   Thanks Ray
Bike Tragic 59 SR
South Oz

Offline RichardL

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http://www.caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

This stuff has held up well in my tank. It is quite an impressive lining, so far. It works fine with loose rust, in fact, they say that it might actually work better with rust. I don't know about your paint problem, but the instructions talk about removing failed Kreem or POR15.I don't know i there is a UK equivalent.

Richard L.


Offline denis

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Hi ,

What I did was using wooden screws, plaster boards screws, nails ..(anything with sharp ends) and some petrol; then I shook the tank till I felt my arms were gonna fall off.  Then I did it again, and again and again until you can tie up your shoe laces without bending.  Then I poured vinegar in it for a day or two.  and it was like having a new tank.  Well... inside. 
An older friend ( I mean; "with way more experience" ; )  ) once said about resins that it's good until.. it's not good anymore.. "because we don't know what kind of additive they are gonna use in petrol in the futur that may soften it" ..

So, shake it baby!

Good day,
Denis


Offline yar

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 Thanks Guys for your input, both make sense I have at this stage have cleaned the inside with some thinners as expected on tipping out after making my arms half way to the laces it has come out pretty red. of course there is still some stuck to the inside that I can see ! which until dry  remained  wet and still comes off I think ones dry will stay stuck on.I suppose the petrol will not soften it again, do you think ?
I managed to retrieve two small chunks of metal that were ratter-ling around inside . and of course the gremlins struck and whilst trying to fish them out with my magnetic extending pick up tool the end came off and was also stuck inside," Ha Ha don't you just love this renovation lark "  fortunately I have an extending grab tool as well  "A gift at some time from my in law", I managed to get it near enough to grab it with some long nosed pliers  after several attempts. Bloody good job i'm retired and have plenty of time to play

still playing Ray
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South Oz

Online KiwiGF

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Now your arms are worn out  *doh* a method that worked for me....sort of....was to use an electrically powered concrete mixer to rotate the tank with a bucket of gravel in It, the trick is to jam the tank into the mixer without damaging it and so it cannot move and rub against anything, I used some old carpet and bed sheets.

I used the mixer tilt/empty lever to get to both ends of the tank.

I am lucky enough to have my own mixer of course  *whistle*
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Offline duTch

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 Possibly maybe you have this product *????*   ...is Acetone soluble

 http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html

    *dunno*
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Online muskrat

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G'day Ray.
I just recently did my tank. I used 50/50 thinners and paint stripper and a good handful of nuts and bolts. I too used the cement mixer method for a few hours (changing the position of the tank every 15 minutes). It took 3 goes but it got all the old Kreem out. Make sure all holes (two tap and filler) are sealed well as it will destroy the paintwork.
Cheers

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Offline Seabee

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http://www.caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

This stuff has held up well in my tank. It is quite an impressive lining, so far. It works fine with loose rust, in fact, they say that it might actually work better with rust. I don't know about your paint problem, but the instructions talk about removing failed Kreem or POR15.I don't know i there is a UK equivalent.

Richard L.
+1 Richard!  14 years with ethanol laced fuel and no disintegration.  Great stuff!
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Online Topdad

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I've bought a couple of products from Caswells and have always been happy with the items ,even had a chat once with the owner who was sound.
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Online mugwump

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I e-mailed the Indian supplier of my tank and asked him what the red stuff was. He said it was red oxide to stop the tank rusting. I rather think the red oxide was to cover up the rust that had already formed. I thought it would be cheaper to find an alternative to thinners as you need a fair amount. Contacted a so called specialist that offered a product called Volotol specially designed for dipping painted items into, not that cheap after carriage etc. Had no effect at all. Even argued with the Company by phone saying how useless it was. I suppose thinners it is then. Meanwhile I've put some fuel in the tank ( obviously not painted yet ) and its showing no sign of removing the paint and so far no leaks!

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58 Ariel Huntmaster]

Offline unclerob

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I had exactly the same inside the Indian tank I bought.....first time I used it the petrol turned bright red! I filled mine with acetone and left it for a few days....cleaned it out completely.....you can get acetone from a fibreglass supplier for about £5 a gallon....

Online mugwump

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Thanks Rob, but the cheapest I can find.....on line is £5 tlr. I'll probably have to bite the bullet s'pose!

60'Matchy G12
58 AJS 18s
58 Ariel Huntmaster]

Offline RichardL

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He said it was red oxide to stop the tank rusting.

I would think just swishing a bunch of motor oil around would have been just as good or better for preventing rust for a year or so and have no ill effect when you add the first tank of gas.

I was goint to suggest testing small amounts of solvents where you can access the top of the tunnel. By the way, Caswells recommends wallboard screws for removing loose stuff, I believe, because they have very sharp threads and points.

Richard L.

Offline unclerob

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Online mugwump

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Thanks Rob, I've bookmarked that.

60'Matchy G12
58 AJS 18s
58 Ariel Huntmaster]