After calling a number of places about having my fuel tank boiled out
and coated, I finally settled on a radiator shop in San Jose. I got two
recommendations for this place. One from someone on the classic-mustangs
list and the other from the owner of Bonnet MG Classics. But my
selection was probably based more on finally being told what I wanted to
hear. Most places I called said they just boiled the tank out then
slushed the inside with sealer to isolate whatever rust remained. I
just wasn't very comfortable with that approach.
The person at the place I settled on suggested boiling the tank out with
cleaner, then using acid to remove as much rust as possible,
neutralizing any rust that remained and avoid using any sealer. In the
opinion of this person, the plastics sealers used in gas tanks don't
stick to rusted metal very well and eventually flake off and end up in
the fuel. He particularly didn't feel it would stick well to the tinned
surface of my tank. This approach still leaves me with the option of
coating it myself if I change my mind on sealing. Also, I can unsolder
the exit fitting without damaging any sealer if I decide to replace it
or to attempt straightening it some more.
The person at this shop (Radiator Doctor on Park) wasn't very impressed
with my tank. He asked me if it was from a kit car or if someone had
replaced the original tank with a "home made" tank. I explained to him
that it was the original tank and that it was basically hand made for a
very limited production car. He thought it was pretty chintzy looking.
I couldn't argue with him.
Roland
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