As a result of leaving the bike for many years, I noticed the fuel tank was full of rust, this story is common for old motorcycles. Do you know that there are many types of rust removal chemicals in fuel tanks, and they are ready to maximize the effect of the chemicals? It is a pre-wash with kitchen detergent. This will greatly improve the effectiveness of the chemical!
Table of Contents
1. Gasoline aging is one of the causes of rust in fuel tanks
Even in indoor storage, if left for a long time in the large container in changing temperature there is a case where rust may occur in the fuel tank. Gasoline that is mixed with rust gives off a terrible odor, but many tanks can be reused if you follow the correct procedure to remove rust. Just don't give up and deal with it.
The rust of the fuel tank is generated at any time due to condensation and to the temperature difference between daytime and nighttime and the rainwater infiltration during outdoor storage. If you use your motorcycle daily for commuting and going to school or enjoy touring on the weekend, rust will not easily occur.
However, if you leave the motorcycle cover in the open air and leave it for half a year to one year as soon as you open the tank cap, a unique odor that gasoline has rotten will appear and the red rust starting to develop in the fuel tank.
Since air and moisture become necessary conditions for the fuel tank to rust, it has been a long-established theory that during long-term storage, the cap is filled with gasoline to expel air. However, recently, by spreading the Bioethanol fuel is a water-soluble among gasoline, and it is said that if gasoline is not used for a long time, the moisture absorbed by the tank may cause rust. Therefore, it may now be better to completely drain the gasoline from the motorcycle and store the motorcycle in a well-ventilated place.
There is also a chemical that prevents the deterioration of gasoline and prevents rust by putting it into the fuel tank during long-term storage. However, the first step is to remove the rust if you have a rusted fuel tank.
At present, there are many environmentally friendly and high-performance rust removal chemicals. However, just introducing the chemicals to replace the deteriorated fuel tank may not be able to provide the maximum rust removal effect.
2. Why use kitchen detergent before using rust removal chemicals?
After draining old gasoline, lightly rinse with water and pour detergent into the fuel tank. If it is stored in a tank and immersed for a while, it is better to dissolve it in water beforehand so that the detergent concentration will be constant. But, if you use a high-pressure washing machine it may be the stock solution that put in the fuel thank may remain.
In order for the rust removal chemical to work in the fuel tank, it is necessary to touch the part of the rust that is oxidized and corroded. Nevertheless, the inside of the fuel tank, which is only removed from the deteriorated gasoline, still has a coating of rotten gasoline and mixed with floating rust that has been peeled off from the fuel tank material.
In such a condition inside of the fuel tank in which the rust removal reaction does not work effectively and it became wastes chemicals, so it is best to wash it in advance. And, the neutral detergent for the kitchen is suitable for this washing.
The surfactant, which is the main component of the detergent work to disperse into the boundary between the metal surface and gasoline or the floating rust, it is like separating the oil stains from dishes and frying pans.
In other words, by cleaning the tank with the detergent, removes dirt attached to the surface and allows the chemical to react to the rust itself. When washing dishes rubbing with a sponge is quicker, as much as possible I want to stimulate also inside the fuel tank, but since the sponge or brush does not reach all the way, it is effective to pour water from the hose vigorously or use a high-pressure washer.
In particular, a high-pressure washer can be blown off without adding detergent, it is useful even if it is sprayed with mild rust, and handy that can be used to clean cars and verandas.
As much as possible, by washing while adjusting the direction of the nozzle the good water momentum is passed through the inside of the tank so that the water mixed with rust peeled from the lower part of the fuel tank will be discharged. The peeled rust is mild, it is okey not to use rust-removing chemical. This means that chemicals can react intensively to rust that is deep-rooted so that it does not fall off with detergents and high-pressure washers, resulting in better rust removal.
3. More effective if you have a high-pressure washer
Red rust comes out with only detergent and water. Rust removal is essential in order to prevent new rust, but if the roots are too deep, rust-like cabs will be removed, and at the same time, a hole may be formed in the fuel tank. This hole is filled with solder from the front side, but care should be taken because rust may be eroding including around the hole.
Cleaning in the fuel tank by using a neutral detergent for kitchen and a high-pressure cleaner together is extremely simple, just drop the detergent and apply a high-pressure washer. If you soak the dirt, the function of floating dirt will penetrate, so put the detergent and water with the attached fuel tank cock in which (detergent does not leak from the bottom of the tank) and shake the tank. Then remove the fuel tank cock and improve the cleaning by using a high-pressure washer.
Also, depending on the size of the filler port and the nozzle of the high-pressure washer, it may be difficult to aim at the rear of the tank. Operate the nozzle back and forth, right and left, and try to wash with water in pressure and aim at the top of the fuel tank from the fuel cock mount.
Observe the photo in the contents, you will be surprised that many floating rusts come off even though they have been washed with a neutral detergent. If it is a light floating rust, most of it may be removed. Certainly, a special chemical is required for rust that does not fall off with detergent alone, but keep in mind that under washing is important to make the chemical react effectively.
After removing dirt and floating rust, it is the emergence of rust removal chemicals, which is the final process for rust removal. Eiken Institute Hanasaki or G Tank Cleaner is a neutral component that does not affect the environment.
Rust removal of the fuel tank
4. Remove rust from the fuel tank with a neutral detergent then proceed the chemical
Environmentally friendly, highly effective rust removal chemical for fuel tanks. Cleaning the interior of the fuel tank is important for the best performance. Eliminating surface dirt and floating rust with neutral detergent for the kitchen can improve the chemical reaction and improve the efficiency in removing the rust.
