Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Phosphoric Acid in Tanks?

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

LukeM Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Apr 2010 ·

#777355
Just wondering has anybody ever used phosphoric acid to treat rust in your fuel tanks?
If so what was it like and what did you do to seal the tank off afterwards?
I have heard of some of the products like POR-15 but I am unsure if I need to go that way as my tank isn't really bad it just has a little rust on the inside that I want to stop getting any worse or into my filter.

Cheers
Luke
1971 S-Bug Restoration
1974 L-Bug Restoration

greedy53 Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,062 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#777363
try using just the por 15 cleaner and sealer do it once do it right
👍👍😂🙅🥷😬🤓

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#777462
greedy53 wrote:try using just the por 15 cleaner and sealer do it once do it right
Seconded.


Smiley 😎
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#777470
LukeM wrote:Just wondering has anybody ever used phosphoric acid to treat rust in your fuel tanks?
If so what was it like and what did you do to seal the tank off afterwards?
I have heard of some of the products like POR-15 but I am unsure if I need to go that way as my tank isn't really bad it just has a little rust on the inside that I want to stop getting any worse or into my filter.

Cheers
Luke
there are kits to do fuel tanks..
they shouldn't be rusty unless left dry for a long time...??
or add a small amount of oil to Your petrol?
and don't use petrol with ethanol...

once You have rust in a fuel tank it can cause problems for years...

POR 15 should fix the problem...
it has great products...
I saw an Aussie firm advertising in unique cars
that was similar to POR15... maybe cheaper??

Lee

-
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#777472
If you do use phosphoric acid, I dunno how long your fuel tank has been sitting for, but if its only been a little, make sure to wash it out thoroughly and consult a chemical risk analysis report via google for phosphoric acid, there might even be a phone number on the back of the package for info, just like medication has... if you come across the report, they list what not to mix it with and what it could do. might no be dangerous at all ,but i can't forget that guy that ended up permanently crippled after gas mig or tig welding near some brake components taht had a little bit of brake cleaner still on them, ended up making a nerve gas agent that left him pretty well hurt. Hate to see anyone go the same way....
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

LukeM Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Apr 2010 ·

#777500
Thanks everyone for your replies. Sounds like POR-15 is good but I believe Phosphoric acid would clean it up ok and wouldn't react to the petrol but I will have to do some more reading.
Has anybody ever tried electroplating a fuel tank? I am aware that you can use electrolysis as a good rust remover in a fuel tank but can you electroplate one? and if so what would you use as your electrode?(copper,nickel?)

Thanks for your help,

Luke
1971 S-Bug Restoration
1974 L-Bug Restoration

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#777539
B 4 u use any product

pull the tank out an strip outlet pipe etc etc

give it a good wire brush or even a paint strip on the under side

get 50 or so nut n bolts any type will do even a length of chain fill wil a few liters of soapy way put nut n bolts inside tank with water n soap and shake the hell out of it to remove any crud or possible rust

Wash it out with heaps of water and hold up to the light and check for Pin holes

NO product POR15 or what ever will fix rust or pin holes its has to be cut and welded fresh metal into place
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#777682
vw54 wrote:NO product POR15 or what ever will fix rust or pin holes its has to be cut and welded fresh metal into place

I disagree....

POR15 does indeed fill up pinholes... etc...

I have seen chassis with pin holes and after coating with POR15

pin holes all gone...

GREAT STUFF....

Personally, I would replace the fuel tank if it has pin holes...
but rust only.... POR15

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#777683
bajachris88 wrote:they list what not to mix it with and what it could do. might not be dangerous at all ,but i can't forget that guy that ended up permanently crippled after gas mig or tig welding near some brake components taht had a little bit of brake cleaner still on them, ended up making a nerve gas agent that left him pretty well hurt.
Hate to see anyone go the same way....
YIKES....

I'm now glad I don't use a TIG or MIG welder...

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#777895
Try hydrochloric acid that you stick in the swimming pool. Add water to the tank and then pour the acid in till you can hear it fizzing. The fizz means it's eating the rust. 5-10 mins should be fine but depends how bad the rust is.

Do this outside and hold your breath when you go anywhere near it. Give off fumes that will make you unwell.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍