# rusted gas tank repair **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 22, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052 "2007-06-22T20:44:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/1 "2007-06-22T20:44:07Z")
I’ve got an old car, let’s assume I won’t be able to get a new tank for it, and junk yard tanks are probably more rusted (on the inside) than mine. How can I effectively remove the rust, fix holes that might (fortunately not yet) show up, and prevent future rust problems? For what it’s worth; 1966 superior hearse built on a cadillac commercial chassis. Seems like I should be able to coat the inside with some sealant or something. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/2 "2007-06-22T21:03:55Z")
There are several sealant kits on the market. [Here’s one.](http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=382&keyword=10165z) Back in the Eighties, I used Kreem to seal several tanks without a problem. Some of the tanks had holes big enough that the sealer would leak out until it set, leaving globs that ad to be cut off with a razor. The biggest problem used to be that alcohol would attack some types of sealers, but I’m sure that they have been reformulated since then. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/3 "2007-06-22T22:50:21Z")
Is the assumption that budgetary constraints preclude a new tank, or you just can’t find one due to age of the car? There are a lot of options that will work way better than a rusty old tank, if you’re willing and able to spend the money. There is typically a filter on the intake, the innards of the tank, that rusts out, get’s plugged etc. The sealants work OK, but there is still a ton of crap in old fuel tanks and causes a lot of problems. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/4 "2007-06-23T01:41:40Z")
The guys that I know that work on old cars swear by [POR-15](http://www.por15.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.180/.f) ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/5 "2007-06-24T23:08:52Z")
Hey thanks , Now I have a place to start. The problem is less economics, and more being unable to find a non-rusty replacement. I don’t know how those sealents work, I wouldn’t want to seal off the tube that draws fuel out of the tank; though I expect the manufacturers will be able to help me with that issue. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/6 "2007-06-25T00:37:20Z")
[QUOTE=Sigene] Hey thanks , Now I have a place to start. The problem is less economics, and more being unable to find a non-rusty replacement. I don’t know how those sealents work, I wouldn’t want to seal off the tube that draws fuel out of the tank; though I expect the manufacturers will be able to help me with that issue. [/QUOTE] You have to remove _everything_ from the tank before you use the stuff, and then you seal the holes with tape. While I’ve not used it, I’ll second **Rick** ’s recommendation of POR 15. Guys I really respect praise it highly, though I understand that you _have_ to follow the directions _exactly_ for it to work properly. Another option is checking out the sheet metal working books offered [here](http://lindsaybks.com/) and making your own tank from stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about it rusting on you again. This could, it should be noted, reduce the resale value of your car, because it’s not 100% original, but quite frankly, any car collector so picky can bite me. It’s an improvement which makes the car more reliable and isn’t noticable to anyone, so unless you’re putting the car in a museum as the only surviving version, it’s no biggie. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/7 "2007-06-25T00:40:21Z")
Every gas tank I have ever seen the pickup is removable. So remove it and then seal the tank. ---
**Author:** ![cantara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusted-gas-tank-repair/409052/8 "2007-06-25T14:34:03Z")
Look for gas tank repair. You remove the tank, send it away and they’ll clean it up, coat the inside and paint it for you. More $, but I would be more confident with that work than trying to make sure I’ve sloshed the pint of sealant around the tank myself. Such as: > **[Moyer Fuel Tank Renu - antique gas tank repair restoration, classic car gas...](http://www.gas-tank.com/)** > > NO RUST gas tanks, no tank too old, lifetime warranty on the repair and restoration of old gas tanks classic or antique GASTANKS [http://www.leakersgastanks.com/](http://www.leakersgastanks.com/) (not a good name IMO) I would think that you should be able to find a replacement tank somewhere: > **[JC Whitney® Fuel Tanks from $99 | CarParts.com](https://www.carparts.com/jc-whitney/fuel-tank)** > > Save big on a JC Whitney Fuel Tank at CarParts.com. We offer a Lowest Price Guarantee and 60-Day Free Returns. Buy now!