Too strong a solution will take the chrome plating off of tools if left submersed too long.
Lonnie
Shadow1100T - 10/29/2010 10:38 PM
I'm curious, why not keep it at 70% and cut the time down.
Basically because it's wasteful since I've found that it works every bit as well at 20 or 30%. Also, the viscosity of 70% phosphoric is siomewhat higher and it is harder to get out of the tank without washing it out and that's when you lose it. With the lighter percentage, it really doesn't take all that much longer but virtually all of the acid comes out when you are finished and can be stored and reused. If it gets dirty, it can be filtered through cheesecloth and re-used over and over until it's gone. A gallon of 70% which costs about $20 from the warehouse will last me for years. It keeps nicely in its plastic container, too.
I have some muriatic acid, you know, the type that comes from a pool supply. I think the acid that I have is something like 35%. It's really hydrocloric acid. You don't want a higher percentage of that. That stuff is nasty. It can also be used on fuel tanks but it's pretty harsh and if you leave it in too long, no one can tell what the inside of your tank will look like. Phosphoric, on the other hand is quite gentle and predictable.
If I get a new set of fuel tanks, say an aftermarket Chinese set for a Harley, I just give them a phosphoric wash and that's that. I've never had any rust if I keep them full thereafter when parked. They keep aircraft full when parked as well for the same reason, to prevent condensation.
EDIT: I forgot to add, I use Acetone or Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to clear the moisture out of the tank once the acid has done its job. It will evaporate and leave a clean, dry surface covered with the patina from the acid. MEK is harder to find so I also get that from the ame warehouse where the phosphoric acid is purchased.
Thanks for your help. Will try to find Phosphoric acid. Sure it beats shaking tank with bb's. I think I getting older and lazyer.
VLAD - 10/30/2010 12:01 PM
Thanks for your help. Will try to find Phosphoric acid. Sure it beats shaking tank with bb's. I think I getting older and lazyer.
If the tank is badly rusted, you should probably seal it and move it around with a couple of pounds of small nuts and bolts as well.
MEK, MIBK, MIAK And acetone also may be available from your local neighborhood Meth lab. lol.
" If the tank is badly rusted, you should probably seal it and move it around with a couple of pounds of small nuts and bolts as well.
"
So do i have to do bb's or bolts only; asid only or do both of them toogether or one after another. Sometimes ago i did bb's + kerosine + shaking for looooooong time. It did a work but took a long time + lots of bad words.
VLAD - 10/30/2010 3:17 PM
" If the tank is badly rusted, you should probably seal it and move it around with a couple of pounds of small nuts and bolts as well.
"
So do i have to do bb's or bolts only; asid only or do both of them toogether or one after another. Sometimes ago i did bb's + kerosine + shaking for looooooong time. It did a work but took a long time + lots of bad words.
The point is to have something inside of the tank that's not too heavy but which will cause the rust to dislodge when agitated. The problem with BB's is that they are round and smooth. The ideal item would be about two pounds of 1/4-20 square stove nuts. They have nice sharp edges yet are rather light. A half hour or so with some acid and the nuts and you would see results. The nuts will be nice and clean when you are finished, too. LOL.
1/4-20 stove nuts,,,,why didn't I think of that, they would work really well, those sharp corners would really do the job, like little chisels.
Shadow1100T - 10/30/2010 6:46 PM
1/4-20 stove nuts,,,,why didn't I think of that, they would work really well, those sharp corners would really do the job, like little chisels.
No charge for that suggestion. LOL.
No charge for that suggestion. LOL.
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OK,,,,what's the catch,,,,there ain't no free lunch,,,,come on,,,,out with it.
Shadow1100T - 10/30/2010 7:00 PM
No charge for that suggestion. LOL.
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OK,,,,what's the catch,,,,there ain't no free lunch,,,,come on,,,,out with it.
I'm setting you up for next time. Like an old biker guy that I knew used to say "I've got friends I haven't even used yet. "
🙂
