Vinegar rust removal.

[gsgeezer]

Better to find out for the price of vinegar, than to coat the inside and find that the coating isn't enough.

That is a great observation!

[bwringer]

Not sure why this would be surprising to anyone who had an 8th grade science class.

Didn't everyone do the experiment where you put bits of zinc or aluminum in a bottle, add vinegar, then collect the hydrogen gas in a balloon?

Maybe I was the only one paying attention.

[themess]

Not sure why this would be surprising to anyone who had an 8th grade science class.

Didn't everyone do the experiment where you put bits of zinc or aluminum in a bottle, add vinegar, then collect the hydrogen gas in a balloon?

Maybe I was the only one paying attention.

Darn near. Nerds, all of us.

[rustybronco]

Lye and aluminum foil was my personal preference.

[four_shot]

Not sure why this would be surprising to anyone who had an 8th grade science class.

Didn't everyone do the experiment where you put bits of zinc or aluminum in a bottle, add vinegar, then collect the hydrogen gas in a balloon?

Maybe I was the only one paying attention.

We must have been hit w/budget cut backs. They just sat us down and said "this is what's supposed to happen, trust us." course my science teacher drove a Porsche, so Hmmm, what happened there....lol

[metalman]

Vinegar left in tank long enough will also remove Red-Kote lining.

[tkent02]

Thanks to this thread, I just threw a handful of bolts in a dish of vinegar yesterday, they came out pretty clean in a few hours. Easy stuff.

[spyug]

I did clean my carbs in cold vinegar the other day and after about 8 hours the bodies started to turn colour (darker) and the surface started to leach into the liquid. After flushing in soapy then clean water and drying, I noticed some white powdery deposits in places. Easily cleaned off with a brass brush.

I had intended in leaving them overnight but I'm glad I didn't as I suspect it would have caused some serious "etching" issues. If I do it again I think I'd limit the bath to 3 or 4 hours or maybe even try the 15 minute boiling bath.

Hopefully this has worked and my passages are clean.

[Ghostgs1]

Ok, after using the electrolysis method for cleaning my tank, I wasn't very happy with the results. So, I decided to use the vinegar method. I can say it is an amazing method, soaked for three days and then emptied it out. Unbelievable amount of rust products came out with it, probably near 2 cups all told, so that is great. The interior looked almost new while still wet with vinegar, but as the vinegar evaporated the surface flash rusted as you would expect as the air hits the damp metal. This is just a film, but I am left wondering if an alcohol rinse will be enough prior to coating with either Carswell or POR-15. What say you that have gone down this road before? Thanks, Ray

[tkent02]

Got some old used anti freeze?

I was thinking put a little vinegar in, slosh it around until the tank is clean, then fill it with antifreeze. Not sure if it would work or not, but there are rust preventatives in antifreeze.

I have one tank I filled with kerosene to prevent rusting, haven't looked inside lately though.

[Ghostgs1]

Thanks Tom, That might work, then chase the anti freeze with alcohol. I think I'll give that a try, can't hurt and not expensive. Ray

[tkent02]

I don't know, the whole thing might explode. I'm not a chemist.


But I was thinking of trying it. I'd fill it with gasoline as soon as possible and keep it full, wouldn't even coat it. But we don't have condensation issues in this dry climate. By the way, did your house float away or are you OK?

[spyug]

well after cleaning the carbs with vinegar, I got them on, synched and went for a 100km trip today and they performed flawlessly. I'd say they are clean as a whistle.

Gas mileage was good too so I'd say its proven as an internal cleaner.

A cheap alternative to the automotive carb dip.

[Ghostgs1]

I don't know, the whole thing might explode. I'm not a chemist.


But I was thinking of trying it. I'd fill it with gasoline as soon as possible and keep it full, wouldn't even coat it. But we don't have condensation issues in this dry climate. By the way, did your house float away or are you OK?

I decided to give it another vinegar bath, as it was looking pretty rusty already. I think I'll just do a good flush with alcohol as quickly as I can after the vinegar comes out. The tank doesn't have any leaks, but it sat for quite a while with nasty stale gas in it. The surface was pretty rough after the rust came out. Seems like coating might be a good choice.
Yes, we're still here, overlooking the mud flats along the mighty St. Vrain. They still haven't allowed traffic to cross the bridge on 119, but it will probably happen soon. I kind of wish it had washed away, the neighborhood is much quieter and calmer without the racetrack. Ray

[tkent02]

Yes, we're still here, overlooking the mud flats along the mighty St. Vrain.

Glad to hear it.