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Tank Cleaning: Phosphoric Acid vs. Rubber

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tracer
  • Start date Start date
T

Tracer

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Will the rubber gasket/seal used on the sending unit in the tank hold up against the acid treatment I'm going to put in the tank?

I've fabricated from sheet metal a cover for the sending unit hole, and I'm using the sending unit's rubber gasket while I swish some diesel and chains around inside the tank.

I'm curious if I can use this rubber gasket when I do the acid treatment to the tank next.

Thanks a heap!
 
Don't use the gasket from the sending unit, use some rtv gasket maker (between the tank and sheet metal cover) or go to home depot and get a small piece of rubber sheet (usually available in the plumbing dept).
You could also use a piece of rubber from an old inner tube. When you are soaking the tank, put the tank in a large plastic tub so if any acid leaks it won't do any damage.
 
To answer your question butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride all have good chemical resistance to 70% phosphoric acid. For our applications the concentrations are substantially weaker so all the above material would be suitable. I still would make my own gasket out of a scrap piece of rubber.
 
Are you talking about the rubber gasket that is glued to the tank? If so, mine held up fine with a 50-50 phosphoric acid and water solution. I used a sheet metal cover as you mentioned.
 
Why is anyone still using phosphoric acid?

I've used Evapo-Rust on a lot of rusty parts, and it actually works a lot better than phosphoric acid ever did. You can also leave your part in the Evapo-Rust as long as you like -- it won't harm sound metal.

This stuff is pretty much harmless to anything except rust -- you don't need rubber gloves or a hazmat suit. It even smells nice.

http://www.evapo-rust.com/

I've tried using phosphoric acid and its variations (naval jelly, etc.) many times, and it never seems to do a complete job. And then you have a hazardous acid to deal with.
 
Bwinger,

For the inside of a gas tank, would I fill the whole tank with the stuff?

And then to prevent flash rust, would I lightly coat the inside with the evapo-rust and let air dry?

At least that's what I'm thinking after looking over their website.

Finally, it sounds as though I can flush it down the toilet when done.

Thanks for the tip.
 
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