Cleaning Aluminum Tanks

[drifter]

I am looking for the best way to clean the inside of aluminum fuel tanks.
So far I’m thinking acetone with gravel or nuts and sloshing that around followed by a soak with ammonia.
How long to soak it is the question. I don’t want to risk damage to the tank.

Are there better ways to clean the inside of aluminum fuel tanks?
Thanks,
Drifter

[Steve A W]

If it’s just gas crud try E85 gas.
I’ve done two steel tanks and it cleaned it up real good.

Steve A W

Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest Indiana

[dmbono]

I use Marine Clean, sold by POR-15, but Napa orders it for me. it works fast, cannot be left too long though.

[chris-p]

Best and cheapest is just good old ammonia for dried fuel/oil crud.

If rust, electrolysis works well.

[johng]

If your tank is really bad inside Crystal Drano will clean it,Try 3 tablespoons & some water. With screws or nuts. Shake up and wait about 10 mins. Rinse out and check might have to repeat if bad. Then rinse with Baking Soda & water 2 times to neutralize Drano. Works very good if real dirty

[elgin2]

Ammonia works great and it`s cheap.

quote Chris_P:

Best and cheapest is just good old ammonia for dried fuel/oil crud.

If rust, electrolysis works well.

[joecb]

OOPS! … Drano is a strong alkali (sodium hydroxide), baking soda is also an alkali (sodium bicarbonate) but much milder. Baking soda will not neutralize another alkali. To neutralize an alkali you need an acid. After a good water rinse use something like vinegar, a mild acid.

Joe B

[Mumbles]

Drano will also dissolve aluminum while giving off hydrogen gas at the same time. Drano bombs ring a bell? Machinists use it for cleaning end mills and other cutting bits which have become plugged with aluminum. Just sayin.

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