Cleaning Our Rusty Gas Tank with Vinegar, Baking Soda and CLR!

In this episode, Cody and I work on cleaning out the rusty gas tank in our 1954 Ford Customline using vinegar, baking soda, and CLR. We spent about $45 on supplies.
We rinsed the tank out with a pressure washer, filled it completely with vinegar and half a gallon of CLR and let it soak, twice. Then, filled it with bolts (a chain would have been better), shook it around and rinsed it out again. Finally, we neutralized everything with baking soda and water. I did not coat the inside of the tank with anything in this video, but a fuel tank coating is recommended. All of the products I used were biodegradable.
We also picked up a new set of tires and got ready for a new adventure!
Please subscribe, and thank you for watching!
Joey
/ minnesotamotors
/ c.malley2594

[@minnesotamotors]

UPDATED VIDEO DESCRIPTION: We rinsed the tank out with a pressure washer, filled it completely with vinegar and half a gallon of CLR and let it soak, twice. Then, filled it with bolts (a chain would have been better), shook it around and rinsed it out again. Finally, we neutralized everything with baking soda and water. I did not coat the inside of the tank with anything in this video, but a fuel tank coating is recommended. All of the products I used were biodegradable.

[@arch3088]

Yes, you will need to coat the inside. If not it will just rust up again quickly. I know this from experience.

[@johnhart125]

Use marbles or ball bearings, come out easier, don't forget to seal after

[@DennisWilliams-p6k]

What are those bolts doing to the sender?

[@winter_soldier88]

Just casually wipes out his neighbor's coy fish 😂😂😂 do you toss decon casually over the fence 50/50 Chance it's the kid or the dog 😂 sorry I had to think clr in the grass will play hell on the lawn

[@ericsmith-sx8xi]

Pretty sure a tree hugger just fainted watching this video.

[@cakeofthepan2233]

Tree huggers like their cars too bro

[@DudeRevolution]

Tree huggers dont like recycling?? What are you even talking about

[@amari727]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ethanhenneberry2625]

I think CLR is “environmentally friendly”

[@roxasparks]

I hug trees... not a bit of consciousness was lost

[@MMASulu]

Reminds me of losing a pick in an acoustic guitar

[@movinginstereo44]

Do you want to hear a kind of a entertaining coincidence? I am dealing with gas tank issues in a car that has been sitting in a barn since 1978. I got it running again, but the gas tank has a little bit of rust in it that I wanted to clear out so I pulled it out and went to the local radiator shop to see what they would charge to clean it. I was horrified that they wanted 600 or 700 dollars to clean it out. . So I thought I would look on KZbin to see what could be done since it really isn’t that bad. Yours was the first video I saw. Coincidentally… The car that I am working on is a 1959 Ranbler Super Cross Country Station Wagon. Same exact body style as the car that you happened to notice in the wrecking yard. Small world. 😉👍

[@LakesideAutobody]

Thanks for sharing. Just picked up a 68 AMC AMX that's been sitting for 35 years so I'll try your methods on the tank. 👍

[@soopacenter]

After the baking soda and water rinse did u put anything else in to seal the metal and to prevent future rusting?

[@shawnl5874]

Instead of using bolts or anything else that would be a nightmare to remove, I would use a couple bags of ice cubes, which is a trick with RV Black water Sewage tanks. That way, you can get the abrasive banging while shaking, then it melts and can be easily drained without any change of anything being stuck inside that might get missed.

[@lowccperformance4059]

Good tip!! I’m about to do this thanks

[@PoisedPickle]

Do you mean straight ice cubes or are they bagged?

[@PoisedPickle]

I’m assuming you meant straight just gotta confirm im kinda stupid. But im doing my first rebuild project on a 78 and im cleaning the tank rn.

[@shawnl5874]

@@PoisedPickle just the ice cubes, that way they act like rocks, but will melt away and all you need to do is drain and dry without any other items introduced into the tank to fish out later

[@PoisedPickle]

@@shawnl5874 thank you! That is a brilliant idea 💡

[@BareRoseGarage]

I'm actually doing this to my 1968 Mercury Park Lane right now. Opted to go this route because an aftermarket tank for it is what I paid for the whole car! Usually, I just buy a new one.... but if it's a "special" tank..... ouch! Anyway.... I think with that click of the button you are at 999 on the tally! Keep up the great work guys and I'll keep a watching it!

[@mrdanforth3744]

When I do this I use a dog chain with bolts thru it every foot or so, makes it easier to get them out. Fish out the chain with a wire. Also if you have a cement mixer strap the tank to the cement mixer with bungee cords and turn it on . Once you get your tank clean you must coat it with epoxy or sealer to stop it rusting again.

[@rickspearman344]

I have a plastic kind a tank with 15 year old gas in it. Will this product work for removing the sludge, and would it harm the electric fuel pump of I left it in during this process?

[@roosty6]

You are lucky that tank is as good as it is. The one on my 52 Merc was rusted right through and unusable. I run it with a plastic 5 gallon boat tank in the trunk which works ok.

[@redlight3932]

On the verge of Jerry rigging a tank up too my whole tank is bubbled up 69 rambler

[@marknelson6319]

Couldn't you use a 1/2 gallon of Diesel in the tank after you clean it out to keep it from rusting again? Slosh it around, pour it out?

[@loraelfontheshelf1181]

Using a chain works better than bolts leave part of it sticking out of the filler neck

[@minnesotamotors]

Good idea! Wish I had thought of that

[@martinparker9249]

great idea, wat about baffles though.....could get caught up /tangled ??

[@iankennedy1441]

What is CLR ?

[@SolaceReignFalls]

Calcium, lime, rust remover

[@bmaiceman]

What was totol cost of ccx supplys?? Vinegar AND CLR???

[@tarmijo1485]

Just did a Cycle Tank that had been left sitting for over 8 yrs. It had a 1/4" layer of gooey-hard varnish on the bottom to get out before attacking the rust. Denatured Alchohol does extremely fast work on that (along with a cup of assorted nuts/bolts). After that I did the vinegar and baking soda with the nuts/bolts. Came out excellent !

[@titoace408]

Did you mix the backing soda with the vinegar?? I'm asking because I wanted to try that but I was told I would be wasting my time because the backing soda neutralized the vinegar so it won't work...

[@Jims2517]

Tractor supply sells chicken grit, which is sharp ,granite gravel. It's cheap, doesn't dull quickly and cleans really well. Juss sayin'.

[@laprepper]

Getting change out of a motorcycle tank is much harder, ask me how I know this! 😂😂😂

[@steveng216]

Today, you can buy a new fuel cell with lines and fittings for about what those chemicals cost.

[@DonaldMitchell-d2h]

Stick magnet to remove bolts

[@joses8168]

Seems like a telescoping magnet would have done quick work of that! 😂 😊

[@freemansgarageextra]

Telescopong magnets are a must have.

[@titoace408]

I would of removed the sending unit

[@samg5543]

don't eat the brown snow. use a chain to slosh around inside it.

[@minnesotamotors]

Lol

[@stuffstuff2846]

hello im from the epa

[@minnesotamotors]

Hello EPA guy, all the chemicals I used were biodegradable

[@ratmokowiyanto4919]

i soaked my tank in HCL solution for 3 days. rust disappears. but my tank too lol

[@arlenolson2609]

what are the ratio of the CLR, vinegar, and baking soda

[@ryanhileman3757]

When cleaning a tank this old, please do not forget that back then they ran on Leaded gasoline. Tetraethyl-lead, has been proven time and time again to be highly dangerous and hazardous. In this video they even inhaled at the neck of the tank to smell it. Bad, bad, bad. Take it far outside, and take every precaution to minimize exposure.

[@BD-xz6te]

Tetraethyl lead mostly evaporates. It leaves very little in the way of deposits if you don't burn it. The primary danger was prolonged exposure to the fumes as it evaporated. The next problem would be absorbing it through your skin. Once again, this would have to be in much higher concentrations than found in gasoline, or else would have been through prolonged exposure. That tank looks to have been dry for quite some time and if it ran at all since leaded gas was phased out the unleaded gas would have flushed out any remaining tetraethyl lead. If there was anything left, it would already be dislodged by the rust. It went down the drain the first time they washed it out. While lead is most definitely bad for you, remember there were people using the stuff for a couple of generations. Most of the damage done was from the lead released by the exhaust that got into everything else.

[@JG-vo7zq]

Only in california

[@sonnywinstead9977]

Try using a $3 magnet from Harbor freight to stick inside to get bolts out. May work...not sure

[@wryanddry2266]

5:34 How about using a magnet to get the bolts out?

[@rat_god69]

That rambler burning out tore a hole in my soul. I am becoming too emotionally attached to ramblers 😢

[@franciscobolivar373]

Excellent video Joey, describing all the steps and supplies. Nice job. I need to do that soon. Please recommend me an internal fuel tank coating. I have been able to find any in Amazon Thanks a lot

[@alfredborja317]

Nice!

[@POSTIVETHINKING]

Gezz i like where your dumping it 😢😢

[@minnesotamotors]

All of the products were biodegradable and perfectly safe to dump outside

[@oldmanoob9987]

For such a big shop you don’t have a 3 dollar magnet grab for the bolts lol. Jk. Incredible video. Going to try this on my rear tank in my f150

[@marteck319]

Great job cleaning that tank, your method should have removed the rust from the sending unit screws on bottom side. To remove them heat the screws spray with Kano and let it cool, then repeat a couple of times. Grab each one with a needle nose vice grip and turn as you also turn with the Philips driver. Worked for me anyway. I used straight vinegar next time I will use your excellent method. Thanks

[@titoace408]

I got a 1948 chrysler and 1950 chevrolet delux that im doing research to clean out the tank looks rusted just like this..

[@jerryweigl4730]

I hope you removed the sending unit before doing the pressure washing and all the shaking, etc. Otherwise you may need a stick to measure your gas level once you are driving.

[@BroncosandPartsGarage]

What about flash rust?

[@ktpowerwashing]

Don't eat yellow snow

[@jaquesNewimp]

Moi perso je ne donnerai pas mes voitures anciennes chez se mécanisme 😢😢dans un réservoir on a des compartiments et on nettoie l’intérieur avec un bon degressent uniquement et un rinçage à l’eau 😂😂on mais surtout pas de vis cailloux ect à l’intérieur d’un réservoir 😢😢

[@carlitobrigante4659]

How much would it cost to buy a new one dam thats alot of work! Explain how much for a used one or new one new one 1frst

[@laprepper]

I have a dr200 that is veeeery nasty and clogging my petcock screen!!

[@robertwillis1996]

Try using a foot of chain it's works really good as well and way easier to get out

[@packrcch]

yeah…. bolts are a good idea , but you need to get them out afterward.

[@nightprowlerch19]

Is the vinegar safe for a plastic baffle. I mean it takes Gasoline without a problem. So I imagine it would probably be OK.

[@minnesotamotors]

I think it would be just fine. Vinegar comes in plastic jugs

[@seeburg220]

Why I don't own a self-service car wash. 😆

[@logenanderson5825]

Good video. I'll be doing the same on the tank for my 58' f100. 👍

[@nathanjones8197]

That guys laugh is awesome cheers for the video helped me alot. Thanks

[@leonardopillay4200]

My favourite line. It turned but it also stripped😂

[@alangrant5278]

Never has it been truer - don’t eat the yellow snow.

[@JasonBolte]

Another good video! Thanks for sharing. I have a ‘56 Customline.

[@minnesotamotors]

Thank you Jason!

[@mockba5676]

USE BOLTS! second thought- just LUG-NUTS

[@LibrivoxZoomChatSessions]

WTF is CLR? Would it be too hard to mention that. AAARRRGGGGG!

[@minnesotamotors]

Calcium, Lime and Rust remover. It’s a brand name, google it

[@shirleypettit9600]

That's what I did, put a bunch of bolts in and shook it up.

[@luisbatista1103]

Greta gonna love you lol....just subbed 👏👏👏🇨🇦

[@gladememmott3001]

That neck looks like a great idea for a necklace.... Just saying lol

[@coyoteserranoband]

Hey wheres that rambler at?

[@mrbigarms]

Great job guys, nice to see an old classic being looked after!

[@minnesotamotors]

Thanks!

[@dylanreynolds4899]

How much clr to vinegar did you use

[@andrewbodey5025]

Do you mix the Clr and vinegar? Awesome job

[@minnesotamotors]

Yes

[@TozeBanana]

Hat is clr?

[@831BeachBum]

Was thinking EvapoRust would work great to remove that rust inside the tank. Definitely would help loosen up crud by the screws on the fuel gauge transmitter.

[@Shawxcviii]

That stuff is $27 a gallon where I’m at I’m going to try using vinegar

[@Chevyssboy138]

Only alcoholics would say rust looks good 😂

[@jamesortega8681]

buying a new one works too

[@nightwings8984]

Not for $300

[@jamesortega8681]

the labor you put into it is part of the value too. how much would you charge for doing that work add that to the $300 is what it cost you. compare that to a bnew non rusted metal ad time saved@@nightwings8984

[@waltersobchak9427]

What the hell is CLR?

[@minnesotamotors]

Calcium Lime and Rust remover. It’s a brand name

[@waltersobchak9427]

@@minnesotamotors After a few more tank videos I figured that out, Thank you though.

[@samuariyugo]

Did I miss a step? Why use the baking soda

[@minnesotamotors]

Just to neutralize the vinegar

[@joewhatsup]

Great video, thanks!

[@scottolisar456]

Did you count the bolts you put in !

[@jondoe6618]

Nice! Doing this right now on a 70 international travelall. Hope it works. Not easy to get a tank. Great video man!

[@bud1773]

I'm cleaning out a 75 ih gas tank

[@3dwezzy740]

my gas tank has dirt pardickles in it

[@dawiser]

Ever heard of A magnet

[@Sumbull185]

Pennies do real good

[@thisisyaren]

how big is the tank???

[@diegoguzman8843]

Can you take your gas tank at any car was and clean it there?

[@minnesotamotors]

You can try!

[@wobblysausage8472]

Log cabin quilt

[@Nunya_Beezwax]

Muriatic acid is allot quicker and cheaper

[@ooigfgnnkhjjnc]

Waste of time. Buy a tank.

[@titoace408]

It's cheaper to do this. Not everyone has $300 to spend on a tank. Also most tanks now a days are aftermarket not oem

[@Jjas93]

Bruh I just knew those bolts were gonna be a bitch 😂😂😂😂😂

[@minnesotamotors]

I’m going to use a chain next time

[@ajmcgloflin9038]

How much baking soda to water mix?

[@minnesotamotors]

I just dumped a random amount in, I think it was about a cup

[@joeyg5089]

Is that frapuccino coming out of it

[@minnesotamotors]

Lol nope, rust and gunk!

[@travelsouthafrica5048]

why not just use drain cleaning acid , it will be a lot faster

[@minnesotamotors]

Wanted to try this

[@ponga782]

Nice work! Looks great!

[@Andy-ue3dv]

Great job.

[@bud1773]

What's CLR

[@minnesotamotors]

Calcium, Lime and Rust remover. It’s a popular bathroom cleaner, google it

[@bud1773]

@@minnesotamotors ok thanks man

[@calebgouchenour2563]

what is Clr?

[@J0hnnyb0y50]

CLR stands for calcium Lime and Rust remover. It's available almost everywhere hardware stores, and walmart.

[@jasonpierce1980]

Magnetic wand or shop vac you're working too hard

[@jtrav77]

How did you manage to control/eliminate flash rusting after you washed it out with water?

[@frankdavidson9675]

check into a new tank they start around $1oo.00 on up i just bought 1 for my army truck new steel tanks -----go on line search

[@BobV854]

These guys aren't exactly what you would call environmentalists.

[@honda9885]

How many gallons of vinegar do you put and how much CLR do you use a bottle or gallons? If so how many I noticed you have some gallons with a blue cap and some with the white cap

[@minnesotamotors]

I was trying to fill the tank all the way, I think I just had 1 gallon of CLR, it’s not an exact mixture or anything

[@honda9885]

@@minnesotamotors ok thank you

[@honda9885]

When you refill the gas tank again is it the CLR and vinegar again?

[@minnesotamotors]

@@honda9885 yes

[@Mickey09ftw]

How much is several gallons of vinager?

[@minnesotamotors]

Depends on the tank size. It would be best to fill the entire tank

[@tombob671]

Execellent job👍👍

[@minnesotamotors]

Thank you!

[@martinowens5309]

I have seen a number of comments asking what you did after the final rinse to prevent flash rust. Did you just air dry really fast, swish some gasoline around, or maybe coat the inside with a product. Looks like you got it really clean and did not need to coat. Any tips appreciated.

[@minnesotamotors]

I would recommend coating with something. I just filled the tank with gasoline. Many gas tanks are just bare metal inside, and I figured it would be okay for the car it was going in.

[@cassfracassi7825]

Thank you! Bringing back to life 54 Chevrolet belair! 👍