Which is better for neutralizing Vinegar's acid? Baking soda or washing soda?

[tkent02]

Or are they both about the same at it? Bicarbonate of soda vs. Carbonate of soda?

I suppose I can try the washing soda and if it rusts I'll just do the vinegar treatment again.

[mvalenti]

try summers eve. I heard it shouldnt sting as much.

[almarconi]

Both will work since they are both alkaline. The washing soda is more alkaline(caustic) than the baking soda and is considered a stronger base.

[mottacycle]

if u can get your hands on some Phosphoric acid or Star San (u can order online from Five star) they work faster like in 30 min. instead of 24 hours for vinegar... i used in my tank flushed with water and rinsed with petro so it didnt flash rust.

[jdvorchak]

You don't say but I'm guessing you're talking about using Vinegar to clean a rusted fuel tank? I've done this a couple of times and found that a good water rinse, a few times, neutralizes the acid pretty well. The key is that once you get the tank clean you have to put fuel or something in the tank immediately or it will flash again. I have diesel fuel in the garage for my heater and parts washer and I just put a cup of diesel in there and swish it all around. Prior to installing on the bike and using it, I drain what diesel I can out and don't worry about whatever is left. It will mix nicely with gasoline and you won't even notice you had diesel in there.

[tkent02]

Yeah, I have used diesel before, the vinegar worked but didn't get it all way down by the seams. Didn't flash rust, at least not enough to matter. I have a few more rusty tanks to do, I think I'm going to make a gas tank cleaning machine....