How to Remove the Rust On a Motorcycle Tank

How do you remove the rust on a motorcycle tank?

1. Evaluate the extent of the damage
2. Prepare your equipment
3. Clean the tank using abrasives
4. Consider using a chemical

A rusty motorcycle tank can negatively affect your riding performance and safety. With a damaged motorcycle part, you’re more than likely to experience inconsistent duel flow, clogged fuel filters, and circulation of rust inside the engine. For these reasons, you need to know how to remove rust on a motorcycle tank. Keep on reading to learn more!

Evaluate The Extent of the Damage

Before proceeding with the cleaning, the first thing you need to do is assess the motorcycle tank damage. Depending on your usage and maintenance of the component, the degradation might vary. For some, you might only have light surface rust while others might experience more severe damage.

Depending on the material and damage of your motorcycle tank, replacement might be a more viable option. If the rust is present in many areas, the tank might be beyond saving already. For example, if you have a tank made of light gauge metal but the rust degradation is severe, you might save your money and time when buying a new one instead.

Prepare Your Equipment

After determining that you need cleaning, it’s time to get your tank ready. As rust treatments involve chemicals and abrasives, you need to stay safe by wearing eye protection, a face mask, and gloves. Choose an open area with plenty of ventilation to avoid inhaling harmful fumes. Other than that, it’s also beneficial to have a hose nearby so you can dilute the chemicals that accidentally spill out.

After that, drain the fuel from the tank, disassemble the fuel lines and remove the tank from your motorcycle. Make sure that the heat and power sources are located away before removing the fuel in the tank. Then plug up the holes to avoid spillage. You can use silicone plugs and rubber/vinyl caps for this.

Clean The Tank Using Abrasives

One of your cleaning options is to use abrasives to remove the rust. This involves the use of rough material to scrub away the degradation. You can use plain gravel, aquarium gravel, or loose nuts and bolts. Smaller objects are better as these are less likely to put a dent on the surface of the tank.

For this cleaning method, add your choice of abrasives once you removed the fuel from the tank. A few handfuls will do. Then pour in some clean water to help the abrasives move around. You can also add a mild soap if preferred. Make sure that the tank is sealed before pouring in the liquid.

Next, shake the tank so the abrasives can remove the rust. Make sure to focus on the area where the damage is most severe. After that, remove the liquid and use water to flush the tank. Make sure that all the abrasives and liquid are drained out. You can use a hose to clean the tank. Let the component dry before you use it again.

You can also repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the results. Other people also use low-risk chemicals such as vinegar to make the cleaning process more effective.

Consider Using a Chemical

If you don’t want to use abrasives, you can also consider using chemicals instead. Acids will help clear the rust from the tank through the etching process. You can start with white vinegar for a mild acid option. You can also use this as the liquid replacement when using the abrasive method.

If you need more, you can use stronger chemicals but make sure to dilute them first as the acid can eat directly through the metal. For first-timers, vinegar is enough as it gently removes the rust.

To do this, mix vinegar and baking soda. Fill in the tank, ensuring that the rusted area makes contact with the solution. Let the liquid mixture sit for a while until you notice it bubbling up and beginning to change color. This might take a long time depending on the severity of the rusting. After that, you can remove the plugs and dump the acid out into a bucket. Plug the tank again and add hot water and dish soap to neutralize the acid.

After that, remove the plugs, empty the tank again, rinse with water and let it air dry. You can also use a heat gun or a hairdryer but be extra careful not to damage the paint.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know how to remove rust on a motorcycle tank, you can make your vehicle feel new again! Just make sure to choose small abrasives and handle the chemical with care. Have patience during the cleaning process until you’re satisfied with the results.

If your motorcycle tank is beyond saving, you should consider having it replaced instead! You can contact us here at Roberts for motorcycle parts. With years of experience with motorcycle brands such as Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha, we assure the quality and longevity of our products.