Old school trick to clean a rusted out gas tank.

In this video Cam cleans out the rust in his Dodge D200 gas tank.

[@dee106ful]

Thanks that was valuable safety advice.

[@ptoneonine2563]

The old 911 is getting this tomarrow! After that I have a pile of steel tools and parts to do. Thank you for shareing.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@ccathey3934]

I’m not sure I understand the question so I’ll cover both of what I think the answers could be. The rod is steel all thread and the solution is water and a couple cups of arm and hammer washing powder.

[@usabadone]

Great video thanks for the tip

[@carlinshowalter1806]

Great video! No doubt that is getting the crap out.

[@roybm3124]

Looks amazing inside, nice job!

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

Thank you!

[@swirvefrance]

Doing mine right now. Thank you.

[@howardlovecraft750]

Impressive.

[@SantaFebuff]

Damn lucky! I got ready to clean my D200 tank and found it has pin holes and a weak pinch weld that leaks...

[@dewholdingsllc1050]

Hmmm interesting chemistry tank cleaning. I’m not sure if I am that patient. I have used muriatic acid on my old rv fuel tank but after it was clean bare metal I used the por tank clean to prevent flash rust then por fuel tank sealer, and coated the entire interior and por claims it will never rust again.

[@TheTorkerman]

Nice, gunna try that

[@clayton203]

Looking for a way to do the inside of a 40 gal propane tank,,looks like this will work fairly well,,heck of a lot less expensive than 40 gal or vinegar

[@ccathey3934]

Cost wise it would be fairly effective since you only fill the tank with solution once . That’s a larger tank than I am used to but the principal still the same if it’s Steel and Rusty this process will take that rust off. Coding the tank afterwards would probably be a good idea, I used marvels mystery oil and I’m not sure that’s the best -there are several coatings out there. Frankly I was worried that coatings wouldn’t stay adhered ,flake off and plug up my fuel filter. thanks for watching!

[@1607rosie]

Man that an awesome job you did. Get a a few pieces of nickel in there and reverse the electodes and you d have a plated tank!

[@ccathey3934]

That’s a really interesting thought, it hadn’t occurred to me. I wonder what the downside to plating a tank would be? Anyone?

[@Tonisuperfly]

Really want to know too

[@billwilson-es5yn]

There are shops that'll remove the rust by using that method before galvanizing the tank inside and out.

[@jamesdepaul3410]

Great dtuff

[@countryfella94]

that tank looks amazing, i was going to use muratic acid, but this looks a lot safer and the results are fantastic. i know i can't use stainless steel, but is galvanized safe?

[@countryfella94]

@@MadSceintist i didn't know fuel tanks were galvanized, im always learning something new. thanks for letting me know

[@ccathey3934]

I don’t know if the tank was galvanized or not but given the amount of corrosion inside I highly doubt it. The sacrificial rod I used may have had some galvanized coating on it but again it was all thread so I doubt that as well. I would avoid galvanized rod for the sacrificial element but someone else more knowledgeable might chime in here.

[@chacebryan1559]

Electro magnifico 🤘🏼works so well. P.s. let’s lower that thing

[@ccathey3934]

Thank you Chace but this one will not likely be lowered - the plan for it is a tow vehicle for the others... They will be lowered...

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

I like how Cam said, "others". As in more than one could be lowered... 😁

[@Trikvet1]

Great video and it sure looks like an excellent way to get the rust out, but I have some questions. 1.What were the proportions of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster did you use per gallon ? 2. Would a length of carbon steel pipe work in place of the All Thread Rod ? 3. Do you know if this method would remove any old varnished gas along with the rust too ?

[@ccathey3934]

It’s been a while but I remember a cup or so for for ten gallons of water, I don’t believe the solution was super important . don’t know that the rod is super critical either, as long as it’s conductive and NOT stainless. I don’t think the solution was intended for degreasing or cleaning, just to facilitate the process of electrolysis. I did use dish soap and a pressure washer before I started the de-rusting with pretty good results. Thanks for watching!

[@warrenpeas]

@@ccathey3934 would this work with vinegar instead of the solution?

[@ccathey3934]

@@warrenpeas If you mean only vinegar and not the electrolysis process, I think so. I have not used vinegar for rust removal but believe it works. I know there are lots of YT videos on it. I would not use vinegar in the electrolysis process - simply because I have no idea what it would do. It would also take a large amount (my tank was 19 gallons). Thanks for watching!

[@marthagomez7335]

I used the white vinegar but still rust flakes coming out

[@williechestnut7133]

Man that is amazing how many cycles did you do

[@ccathey3934]

I would say 3 to 4 but it’s been a while and I think that answer will vary depending on how bad your tank is.

[@pauljones2031]

That's an unusual battery charger you have. Mine is 12v only but with 2 12 and 50 amp settings and a choice of deep cycle or not.

[@davidwellman7080]

So does this process kinda makes the rod a magnet I have a 73 c10 that I need to clean out.

[@ccathey3934]

I’m not well-versed in the science but the rust is displaced from the surface it’s on and travels to the sacrificial rod. Making it a magnet for rust of sorts but I don’t think it magnetized the rod.

[@thomasr7552]

What did you use as a rod for this? The result is amazing

[@ccathey3934]

This was a section of 3/8" all thread STEEL rod. DO NOT USE STAINLESS FOR YOUR SACRIFICIAL ROD!!!! The pvc cap I drilled out kept the end from touching and grounding out. The rubber hose does the same at the top. THANKS FOR WATCHING!!!

[@jayvalentin018]

@@ccathey3934 how’d you keep the cap from falling off?

[@ccathey3934]

@@jayvalentin018 the end cap was a pvc plastic pipe cap that was drilled out to slip the all thread. I then sandwiched it between two nuts on the end of the all thread. The cupped part was facing out and covered the rod end and nut. Worked great!

[@henrysmith8012]

Muratic acid and water works great and less chance of an explosion.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

We will give that a shot. Thanks!!!

[@PoeLemic]

I wish that we could have seen the inside before you did all of this. It'd help me to know what you started with. Anyway ... Thanks for showing how to do this. I've been cited by the damned CODE ENFORCEMENT in my city for having a vehicle that has tags that are expired. Someone (probably one of my god-damned neighbors) called them, so I've got to get it running and get it inspected by the upcoming Court Date. So, I thank you for showing how to siphon the gas. I sure hope that I can figure it out and get my vehicle inspected by the date they gave me.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

Wish we would have gotten some "before" shots as well. It was one of those things that Cam was doing, then thought, "maybe I should record this". For the record it was pretty rusted, but still had metal left. Sorry to hear about your code enforcement issue. Hope you get it to pass inspection in time!!!

[@Andrew20vt]

Thanks! I'm doing this to a 64 vette tank. Quick question, since you had the electrode coming out the side of the tank, there was still part of the tank that wouldn't have been filed with the solution since it was higher then the inlet you used. How did that come out? Did you flip it or deal with that rust in a different way?

[@ccathey3934]

The angle of the tank and the volume of liquid inside the tank are about the only way you can guarantee that it is completely coated with the cleaning solution/“reached” by the electrolysis .The top of my tank wasn’t bad so I didn’t worry as much about it but it wasn’t completely full to the point that it was coming out of the top fill.

[@tiscitatascit]

What is the electrolyte in the aqueous solution?

[@billwilson-es5yn]

The alkaline washing soda.

[@ccathey3934]

I don’t know about the amps administered from a battery charger but typically they’re not high. If you were doing this with a car battery you would probably have the same success a but with less voltage it might take longer. Leaving a charger attached to a car battery would probably be a good way around it though. Someone who’s tried this feel free to chime in.

[@keltonmoore_5995]

Could I use rebar as my electrode?

[@ccathey3934]

I think rebar would probably be good. The only thing you have to make sure of is that you’re able to isolate it from the surface you are cleaning. A rubber cap of some type or a rubber sleeve would probably do fine. Don’t use anything you care about because the process eats your rod.

[@72SSAbody]

Whats the solution you used? Just water?

[@ccathey3934]

throw a cup or so of Arm & Hammer "household cleaner & laundry booster - super washing soda" (common - find it near laundry soap in walmart or amazon)... it should be cheap and easy to find.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

www.amazon.com/Arm-Hammer-Super-Washing-Soda/dp/B0952CQHH6?th=1

[@67VentWindow]

I will give it a shot with my GTO tank.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

Let us know how it goes. Feel free to ask any questions.

[@ccathey3934]

The key for me was a pressure washer in the beginning and then to keep cleaning the rod off - the last few times with a pressure washer. Patience - I probably repeated this process 5 or 6 times before I was done. I wish I had a video of what I began with. This process will dislodge rust and attract it to the anode. It will not replace pitted or damaged metal so a tank re-conditioner may be needed depending on the amount of damage/rust found after. Good Luck!

[@67VentWindow]

@@ccathey3934 I assume I will out grow the one gallon plastic tank at some point. So a tank install is my future. Not to soon need to finish welding in the trunk. Out of two tanks one was holding 10 gallons of some vintage cologne, 1990s I believe, the other was dry. Good odds one will work. I have used rocks in motorcycle and mower tanks with success to remove the varnish. I would think I need a vibrating compactor to get the same action on a 20 gallon tank.

[@ccathey3934]

@@67VentWindow Good luck - there are lots of methods out there that work. I did not use abrasive media on mine because it wasn't needed - I started with dish soap and pressure washing and that cut the varnish pretty well. I know some will not be as lucky.

[@razorburns8651]

what did it look like before?

[@ccathey3934]

It had plenty of garbage in there but I didn't get any good pics of it before... sorry!

[@jamesriche7211]

I wish you had took pic before…. I like this process and inexpensive!!!! Beautiful results!!! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@clayton203]

So the tank was full of sudsy water and that was the magic

[@dennisjump8655]

The newer chargers won't work as they won't come on if they don't detect a battery. Anyone else seen this or know a way to get around it?

[@spacetruckin6555]

Use a car battery as your power source, and connect the charger to that. Do it outdoors though, lots of hydrogen gas will be emitted!

[@dennisjump8655]

@@spacetruckin6555 Seems like you'd need a way to control the rate ?

[@supersasquatch]

Are there mechanics who are open to doing this as a service?

[@ccathey3934]

I highly doubt it but i suppose it is possible. I would search for a shop specializing in restorations, they would be experienced in saving hard to find or obsolete parts. Fuel tanks will always be the Achilles heel of older vehicles. Restoration of fuel tanks is a difficult process, and the aftermarket has stepped up to SOME of the supply need. To be fair, I got lucky with a solid tank that had non-structural surface rust on the interior. Results vary with the amount of damage done/rust involved. THANKS FOR WATCHING!!!

[@joesinakandid528]

HMmmm - all the rust is gone - but - no mention of anything further. Bare steel lightly coated wit WD-40 or Mystery Oil only stays protected until the gasoline dissolves it and carries it away. The rusting will start again as soon as atmospheric humidity condenses inside the tank. You probably should have at least mentioned in more detail what follows next.

[@crocodile2006]

You can get special fuel tank paint that goes inside the tank after you have cleaned it out. You basically slosh it inside and then pour out the excess

[@ccathey3934]

That’s correct. I would expect it to last at least as long as it did - which is about 50 years. I’ll risk it. As mentioned below or elsewhere in this comment section, there are several products available to coat your tank with. Feel free. I chose not to mainly due to poor experience with what’s out there now. Last time I coded the tank after this the coding didn’t stick and made a bigger mess than it was worth. I’m not sure if that was application error or just a poor product but it left an impression on me that I haven’t shaken. I’m not concerned with coating tanks anymore. Thanks for watching!

[@mdemers767]

Yes, DO NOT use any stainless, as the electrolysis will produce (I thinK) hexavalent chromium, which is ~really~ bad for you. Remember the Erin Brokovich movie? The poor guy that was cleaning those PG&E ponds was wading through that stuff.

[@TIHIS]

Let me be clear.... Muriatic acid is king. Period. No debate

[@ccathey3934]

I think you might be right on that one but I will leave that to others to decide.i I have never used it. Thanks for watching!

[@TIHIS]

@@ccathey3934 white vinegar it takes many many days just to get surface rust off if you did it within just a few hours that's very surprising. This acid literally is the real deal and I'm telling you it will eat that rust right before your eyes and it doesn't take hours it just dissolves it within seconds not minutes you can watch the rust be eating up on contact

[@V8freaks]

@@TIHIS after that acid treatment the steel is way more prone to rust again, because the ability to accumulate oxygen atoms again in the surface of the steel is enhanced. electrolysis is a good and soft procedure in the long run

[@carlinshowalter1806]

@@V8freaks Plus you don't ruin your lungs inhaling the nasty acid fumes.Then you have to properly dispose of the sludge left over.Not worth it.

[@Richard-di4vc]

How tall are you? He' showing you his way of doing it! If you like another way of doing it, go watch those videos. I would bet good money that all that criticized the video are shorter than 5'6" In case you don't get it, short men are A$$holes! I believe you are both!

[@docstockton5564]

Nearly a 10 minute could have been 4 minutes long. Waste of time.

[@HyndzyteEngineering]

Well Doc, thanks for spending that entire 6 whole minutes of additional time watching it. We greatly appreciate your viewership. Please like and subscribe so we can attempt to waste more of your time! Have a great day and keep spreading that positive joy throughout the world!! Peace and God be with you my friend!

[@budakota]

this only works if you have a rectangular fuel tank in the cab (Trucks) ..if you have flat (horizontal fuel tanks ....as most CARS do ...THIS VIDEO DOES NOT APPLY!!..so needless to say Your Video Subject Title of "Old school trick to clean a rusted out gas tank." is very, very MISLEADING!!

[@oliverroedel1111]

you forgot to mention that it doesn´t work in plastic tanks hahahhaa why it shouldn´t work in any metal tank?

[@joetroy2904]

@@oliverroedel1111plastic tanks won’t fucking rust 😭

[@Richard-di4vc]

What is it with you people. He' showing you his way of doing it! If you like another way of doing it, go watch those videos. I would bet good money that all that criticized the video are shorter than 5'6" In case you don't get it, short men are A$$holes!