fuel tank rust repair

[Robert Bradbury]

I remember a discussion a LONG time ago about solutions to rust in the bottom of the fuel tank .

Someone suggested a product that both dissolved the rust and sealed the tank at the same time .

Can anyone out there remember the name of this product and is it approved?

I know....change the tank and I will.......next year or if it ever started to leak but it is still solid, I have checked .

Robert

[mustang]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

i've been looking at a line of products called por 15. you can access their website and check it out. they have repair and sealer kits. as to any approval at this time, i doubt it. i think they are relatively new.
warren brown

[jgerard]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

And I thought that the Tcraft had aluminum Tanks? I bet the rust is coming from the fuel source or somewhere else. What condition are the fuel caps in?

Jason
N43643

[flyguy]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

Robert,
If you're ever up for taking the fuel-shut-off valve out you can sweep any debris out thru the hole by using a paint brush taped to a stick. Straight shot down thru the gas cap. Nice thing, the main tank will drain COMPLETELY down to a little wet ring. Leave it open over night and it will be bone dry. I had about 29 different types of junk in there and 99.9 percent came out. Didn't have any rust, as in iron oxide, though.
Of course, taking off the valve is a total pain, but most of them could use an overhaul anyway, mine was weeping a little.
Darryl

[Forrest Barber]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

Jason Some Tcrafts had steel wing tanks! The necks are steel too!

[ROllerton]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

The antique automobile restoration people have sealers and cleaning/sealing kits for the steel (tern metal) tanks used in automobiles.

Two big names that come to mind are POR-15 and Bill Hirsch. Both have extensive web sites. I have used both products. I think I like the Hirsch stuff better, but they both have great products. Both also have a lot of cleaners, engine paints (seem to be made by the same people that make dope and other special paints) and other items that a restorer might be interested in.

Of course none of this has been certified for aircraft use. If you use a sealer thats sensitive to the fuel you are using you could end up with a plugged fuel system and an emergency landing.

http://www.hirschauto.com/

http://www.por15.com/

[Carl Ellis]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

Jason Some Tcrafts had steel wing tanks! The necks are steel too!

Mine are all steel.

- Carl -

[SkyHigh]

Re: fuel tank rust repair

My wing tanks are aluminum but they shed a substance that looks like cigarette ashes. I was told that my tanks are oxidizing. What can I do?