tank rewelding

[kaymo]

well it seems like i have spent weeks now on this. when i got it, had great original stickers however they were not well masked when someone repainted it with what i would call orange house paint, and then covered it in strange little stickers. the inside was rough. real rough. so bad most would have thrown it out


i probably should have lol

i threw it in a bucket of muratic acid and water and let it sit for a number of days. i used a small plastic hose inside to give an escape route for the air pocket as i submurged it in the bucket. i pulled it out several times to rinse out rust and scrape paint off. the acid worked great on inside and outside... almost too well. the last time i pulled it out of the acid i realized how much trouble i was in. leaked around the bottom from about 14 or more pinholes. after a baking soda rinse i went to town welding.

the more i welded the more holes i found (and made) but i eventually got it all sealed up (or so i thought) and went to test with some rubbing alcohol (easier than gas to evap in case i needed to weld more, easier than water to get out) and found about 4 more leaks.

i drained the tank of alcohol and left it out to air dry. i figured it would evap pretty fast, but it wasnt a very warm or sunny day here so i took my lighter to the gas filler hole with it pointed away from myself. FOOM WHOOSH haha about 20 times i blew invisible alcohol fire out of the top. tank got pretty warm lol.

i went back to welding and surprisingly the alcohol helped me make sure i was getting the tank sealed bc it flared up a little every time i hit one of the leaks. not enough to mess up the weld, just enough for me to notice

however, after welding close to a seam and seeing alcohol bubble out... i went all in and completely rewelded the seams.

by god if it leaks now, im gonna let it catch fire and burn to the ground. screw it.


anyway its got a few dents and def a few places that are a little heat distorted and a bunch of just odd spots the acid ate out so ive got to bondo the whole thing and then i can finally paint it and put it on the bike!!! some 120 grit took off all the rest of the paint, once i get the bondo on it ill probably only go to 320 grit as it will not be getting a metallic paint job.

i just hope the inside holds up.

[just ben]

I have one I tried brazing, I think I can still repair it but the brazing will make it tougher to do.nice work on your tank. It gives the inspiration to work on mine.

[jays375]

Check out Caswell tank sealer.You can put tape over pin holes to keep sealer in.If you are putting a good paint job on it.Would really consider sealing.

[big specht]

I have had good luck sticking the exhaust hose in it for 5 or 10 min then welding it up. I have had better luck with a mig but that's all I have other than a torch

[El Camexican]

You have more patience than me sir, well done.