Cleaning pressure tank before soldering?

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  • July 14, 2015 at 10:33 pm #2018
    david-bartlett
    Participant

      Today I noticed a pinhole in the bottom of one of my pressure tanks. Metal is good all around the hole, so I think I will solder it up with a patch overlay.

      How have any of you cleaned the tanks prior to this kind of repair?

      July 15, 2015 at 2:32 am #20172
      jeff-register
      Participant

        US Member - 2 Years

        The radiator shop will vat them clean & even solder them too.

        July 15, 2015 at 2:45 am #20174
        david-bartlett
        Participant

          Where is the adventure in having someone else do it for me?

          July 15, 2015 at 3:44 am #20175
          r-c
          Participant

            Lifetime Member

            One type of repair is to screw in a small self tapping screw, with some sealer. The epoxy two tube stile works good, because of the small amount needed.
            To clean for heat, I have found the so called "super purple’" type cleaners to do well. Gets rid of varnish and other scale. It can remove paint, mostly the spray can type, but will dull the finish of the original enamel baked on paint if not careful.

            July 15, 2015 at 5:11 am #20179
            reivertom
            Participant

              US Member

              I plugged a hole in my old truck’s gas tank with some 2 part epoxy putty and it held until the truck totally died. I did it all from the outside and would think an inside patch would be even better. Just rough up the area with at least 220 grit before you stick it on.

              July 15, 2015 at 1:27 pm #20189
              olcah
              Participant

                US Member

                I also had great luck bringing the tank to a fellow in Bowdoin Maine who restores antique radiators. The bottom had been hit hard enough with a nozzle that the metal was torn.

                July 16, 2015 at 2:16 am #20213
                david-bartlett
                Participant

                  I got it soldered up. Cleaned the metal really well and soldered a little patch over the hole. Primed, painted. Tank is good.

                  While I had it apart, I noticed the CA glue I used on my float was less than perfect, so I may take the time to get some fuel resistant airplane dope and try that. It could just be that the CA did not have time to cure properly before I used it.

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