Gas Tank Rust Removal on a VW Beetle - How to remove rust - VW Beetle DIY and Restoration - VW Bug

This week I demonstrate on HOW TO remove rust from a gas tank on a DIY Video for a Volkswagen Beetle.
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[@kyridgejumper]

I used muriatic acid on mine and it done good Bought it at Walmart where the paint supplies are

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks my friend I actually have a gallon of that. I guess that will be on part two I wasn’t sure how long to let it. Sit in there. It’s a good idea.

[@jeffbannon1345]

Could you describe the processes after rust removal? I was waiting for what to do once the rust is removed to protect the tank and you didn’t tell us despite telling us to keep watching the video to the end! 😂😂

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I apologize….. 🤦🏼‍♂️After I didn’t get it out, I forgot to continue on with what I would do. There is going to be a part two but I’m going to tell you anyhow. After using a hydrochloric acid, you need to neutralize it. So baking powder and water mixed together with it soaking will neutralize the acid. The last final step was Ospho,, phosphoric acid. To seal the tank. I’ll be doing that on the part two. But I wanted you to know what you need.

[@jeffbannon1345]

@@SladesVWBeetle thanks!!

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Busted again😂😂😂 .Thanks for the video.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Right!?!! I can’t get away with crap! 😂😂

[@MikeMoose67]

I really needed this video I’ll try it on mine maybe it won’t be so stubborn. Thanks again for these very needed videos..my wife showed me how to put it on the T.V. It made a big difference with the high definition… I encourage folks to try that…

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you, I’m glad you got to watch it on television. I think it makes it a little easier and up close. I’m going to do a part two and try a couple of other things.

[@dalemolnar2359]

Lmao! You're Killing Me Smalls..lol

[@SladesVWBeetle]

She wears me out! I’m always getting caught 😂

[@onething247]

I’ve spent days and quite a few bucks using pretty much the same process as well as others and finally bought a new tank for my ‘69.

[@VWBEETLEOVAL1955]

that hard substance is old gas that has hardened big time like tar. first you can remove that with intake cleaner and hit the tank with pure hydrochloride acid and neutralize it very good with soap that has nitrate in it. and then your last product to seal the tank. your face speaks enough when she came in, caught in action lol. i loved it my friend.

[@jeromemitchell2061]

This video is so precious. The look on your face when Heather came in....... we could have bought you for a nickel and received four cents change. Love the channel, please keep them coming.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you brother, I appreciate you leaving a comment. She is a real treat. Lol I seem to always get caught doing something stupid, so I just left it in the video lol thank you for being here.

[@garyjones2582]

Try a pressure washer before buying a new tank.. What if you put a wire brush on an extension and put it on a cordless drill.. Could there be a possibility that it isn't rust, but hardened varnish? Thx for bringing us along on another adventure.. take care my friend... Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving...

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Gary, funny, you brought that up. There will probably be a part two. I honestly think it is hardened varnished, that’s exactly what it smelled like. That might be a good idea. I may give that a try.

[@bava67]

About 6 years ago I used muriatic acid and a handful of nuts and bolts. Shook it around with good results. Might be worth a try sometime

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you I will definitely keep that in mind since I’m doing a part two. I think it’s hardened varnish.

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Christmas totes are ideal 😂😂

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

At 1:40 you show that you cleaned out the bumper bracket bolt holes. I don’t know why yet but somewhere along the line they welded the bumper brackets on my 72 super beetle. Maybe the bolts broke off, but they are welded on crooked! Grrrr! Luckily it looks like they just put a few tacks here and there , so I’m going to grind them off and fix it right! As usual, thanks for your videos! They are always helpful! P.S. my shop addition is coming along! Slower than I hoped but getting there! Soon a two post lift!

[@eugenebaroni1298]

LoL Busted 😂 I know that feeling 😂 I was really hoping that would have helped need to do that to my dune buggy... Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks Eugene, yes, of course I always seem to get caught so I figured I would leave it on video that time lol I’m going to try one more thing in part two, I believe it’s hardened varnish.

[@jennslifeinhuntingtonwv2678]

Oh no not the Christmas tote! 😂😂😂

[@martyp7134]

I take a chain or nuts bolts liquid and shake it around it cleans the rust & varnish out of gas tanks.

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Gee Slade, that brown residue looks more like solids from the evaporated gas… maybe cleaning it first with some sort of paint remover or solvent to remove it , then the vinegar on the rust!!?? I’m just brainstorming here! Good luck!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Heather should be thankful, for you not using the bathtub for washing car parts during the winter months.😆

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Oh my!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 I left it in, I’m used to getting caught lol

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@SladesVWBeetle I don't like getting caught. I just buy own materials to avoid the bs.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@@vintage76vipergreenBeetle I usually do. It’s odd stuff I need once in a while

[@larrymcgarage2152]

Muriatic acid will work. Or try electrolysis will also work.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you I appreciate that.

[@jimstewart6145]

nice job . or try.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you!

[@Teddy_VW]

Very informative!

[@greggbrown0]

Oop’s got caught 😂

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Of course 🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@PopularityContest]

Stupid suggestion, but maybe try using modern gasoline with ethanol, and it'll absorb some of that caked on dried gasoline

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I think it turned to varnish 🙁

[@terrylane7038]

The intro😂

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

Slade, what about using a bit of baking soda with the vinegar as the reaction it creates will take stains out, and possibly loosen up the rust? You tried 3 great techniques and gave great advice below in the comments. BTW, a great video and Merry Christmas (a bit early) to you, Heather & the family. All the best from Surprise AZ

[@backyardkombi5466]

👍

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you!

[@smonroeh]

Looks like hard varnish. Try acitone/paint thinner and some lite chain and shake it around lightly

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I think you’re right, it did smell like varnish. I’m going to start on part two tomorrow. Unless it gets too boring I won’t publish it. Lol.

[@3gcraftsman]

That makes since. It didn’t remove the “rust” because it’s not rust.

[@ChilliCao]

if it smelled like varnish, would white spirit help?

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

That tank is 55 years old. I would get a new one.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I know brother, I usually have luck with rust. But that failed on me.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@SladesVWBeetle The tank sat for a long time with fuel in it. That alone didn't help either. The original tank in my 76 bug was worse than yours back in 1996. I replaced it with a used one, and it lasted a few years, before I had to replace it again with a new one.

[@bertsparrow]

You sure that was actually rust in there? I wonder if it was fuel dye from low octane fuels over the years. As you know some octanes have dye, like 100 octane aviation fuel has blue dye, automotive has brown. So when my wings drip 93 octane auto fuel, it stains brown

[@greggbrown0]

Me thinks it’s not rust , I believe it’s varnish.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I think it is!! It smelled like varnish

[@paulki8fr]

How did you seal it?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

baking powder and water mixed together with it soaking will neutralize the acid. The last final step was Ospho,, phosphoric acid. To seal the tank. I’ll be doing that on the part two. But I wanted you to know what you need.

[@paulki8fr]

@@SladesVWBeetle oh sorry. I thought you forgot to tell us lol.

[@williewillteeztorres8502]

I KNOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW lol

[@gkcooper]

It's not rust

[@SladesVWBeetle]

It doesn’t seem like it. Smells like varnish.