Light Rust in My Tank

[dougjordan]

What is a good procedure , removal and sealer. Light, no big flakes.
,

[20774]

I'm facing probably the same thing on my R25/2 tank. I haven't gotten into it yet, but I plan to use Evaporust to attack the rust in the tank, then follow up with an etching and sealing kit from Caswell Plating. That's my plan, anyway.

Snowbum has a discussion of tank cleaning and sealing near the top of this page:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/fuelmiscl.htm

[88bmwjeff]

I have rust issues in my tank as well from it sitting too long. I feel that this is a one-time shot and if it's messed up, I'm not sure it could be redone. And, new tanks are no longer available from BMW. I'm hoping to find someone who will do it at a reasonable cost.

[OldCamper]

+ 1 on Evaporust, but it works best when the part is submerged. Sloshing it around is much less effective.

New, painted tanks are available from India for less than $300, but use a non-stock appearance gas cap.

[kinterridge]

+1 on Evaporust, I use two gallons in a tank with holes plugged or capped. At least 2 days on all six sides, left, right, top, bottom, front, and rear. It'll remove light rust just fine then re-line. Harbor Freight is the least expensive place I can find the Evaporust in gallon jugs. If the tank is a basket case there's a shop in Greensburg, PA that will open the tank, make it like new inside and re-line it. They send it back welded back and lacquer primed.

[rikb]

+1 on Evaporust, I use two gallons in a tank with holes plugged or capped. At least 2 days on all six sides, left, right, top, bottom, front, and rear. It'll remove light rust just fine then re-line. Harbor Freight is the least expensive place I can find the Evaporust in gallon jugs. If the tank is a basket case there's a shop in Greensburg, PA that will open the tank, make it like new inside and re-line it. They send it back welded back and lacquer primed.

thanks @kinterridge, just getting into issues with the tank on my '86 R80. A couple of questions:

- any hints on what sort of plug do you use for the top refill hole?!

- my tank has two extra (beyond the 2 for the petcocks) holes. (see attached photo).
r80-tank-bottom-IMG_1127-sm.jpeg
i think they were for some emission requirement in the past?!

- can you pass along the contact for the shop in Greensburg PA please?

thanks! - Rik

[GTRider]

I have rust issues in my tank as well from it sitting too long. I feel that this is a one-time shot and if it's messed up, I'm not sure it could be redone. And, new tanks are no longer available from BMW. I'm hoping to find someone who will do it at a reasonable cost.

I also have a tank that needs relining, but it’s not rusty—yet. If you find a reasonably priced vendor who does quality work relining these, please post it here in the forum. Thx!

Best,
DeVern