To seal or not to seal, Does this tank need to be sealed?

[Pinscher62]

Hi Everyone,
I have an 86 250sx with a little rust in the gas tank and I am looking for a proffesional opinion on weather I should seal it or not. As you can see in the photos, the tank is in pristine condition on the inside except on a couple rust spots around the petcock area. I cannot see any visual signs of corrosion in this area on the outside of the tank. I always keep the tank drained except for when I use it. If you think it should be sealed, what is a good seal kit to use?
Thanks again for the time.
Mike (Arizona)

[Erics350x]

If it isnt really starting to rust, i wouldnt seal it.

[Pinscher62]

Thats kind of what I thought. I am just not sure if there is anything I can put on it to prevent it from rusting further. Lucky we have real dry air here most of the time but monsoon season is just around the corner. It gets a little humid that time of year.

[atc007]

OMG ! Don't seal that! That is a beauty! Are you leaving it empty?? Or it sits awhile? Either way,put some engine oil in it,swish it all around,top and bottom . It won't ever rust in our lifetime. Wanna use it again? Rinse it out w a little gas,,or just let er smoke the first tank. But the oil w keep that perfect! Nice tank !

[pipeline triker]

You do not want to seal that tank. That is just light surface rust you see, plus sealers will not stick to that clean of an inside of a tank. After you drain it just spay some WD-40 or other type of oil spray in just to keep moisture off the metal.

[Pinscher62]

Thanks guys, thats pretty much what I figured. Just wanted to be sure. I will probably let it sit empty for the next couple months since summer is so darn hot to ride in Arizona. I like the coat of oil during storage. I will do that.
Thanks again.

[aldochina]

if you store it empty, it is a good idea to coat the inside. just a spray of wd-40 would probably suffice to keep little spots like that from forming. then just swish alittle gas in there before you use it next. you dont want to use a tank sealer unless the inside is real crusty, and pitted up.

[tri again]

I've tried it all.

The best is to drydrydry them on the bbq/sun/hairdryer and maybe even swish a little 'heet'
it grabs moisture and evaporates it....and they STILL rust here in Oregon.

Unless I hang them in the living room by the woodstove.

Since we Need these year round, I just keep them all FULL with non ethanol gas
and they stay perfect. No oxygen no rust, theoretically.

I also filled an empty one with propane, since it's heavier than air, to see how that works too.

I'd say 1/2 the tanks I've gotten are rotten so it's a real science.
A half empty tank going thru temperature changes is suicide.
Especially if they sit in the sun and get hot and cold and condense moisture out of the air.

I got a one owner sx looked new newnew, never got cleaned because it never got dirty.

They drained the tank with a little left in it (and drained the carb thankfully) put the gas cap back on and parked it for 10 years in a garage. That tank had tons of tiny paint bubbles along the bottom and after sanding the paint bumps, I was able to shove 4 fingers thru the bottom of the tank.
Would've been better with the cap OFF and drydry empty, or full, with or without fuel stabilizer (for rust prevention)


Related topics:
X2 on no sealer for your tank.

The best I've found is por15.
It reacts with rust, needs rust to react and turns it to black glass.

The 'coating' types seem to peel off and can be a real mess.
I like the idea of a litte rinse with 2 stroke oil but I have also seen moisture 'collect' under oil and grease on the farm equipment.



Your tank will be fine for another 50 years, either drydry with the cap off or full is my vote for this climate.

[just ben]

I know its dry in Arizona but condensation will build up anywhere you live. I would store it with a full tank (drain the carb though) or if you drain it you can put in silica packets ( the little do not eat packets like in a new pair of sneakers)to absorb the moisture. just make sure you tie a string or someting to them so you dont lose them in the tank

[Pinscher62]

Wow! Thats really good stuff. I figured that there was a science to it. Thats why I came here. I know I could just store it with a full tank with fuel stablizer in the tank but not really crazy about it. Its really pretty easy to keep things dry here most of the time. I never have any trouble with rust on firearms here but I do like the silica packet idea. ;) I am also thinking of cap off with a rag in the hole so dirt wont get in but the chamber can breath.
Who woulda thunk there was so much to it. Rust never sleeps.

[Pinscher62]

Okay, here's what I came up with as you can see in the pics. I put a lite coat of WD40 on the inside of the tank and then I had some desiccant that I use in my gun safe. I put four tablespoons of desiccant in a shredded T-shirt, hung it inside the tank and tied the other end off to my bars. I put the gas cap back on but not all the way tight.
:D
If that don't preserve it, nothin will.126721126722126723