TOPIC: Vintage Merc Gas Tank Question

I am restoring this tank and it was super rusty inside. There was a half-cup of crap out of the tank. 2 questions: What was on the end of the intake tube? How to best clean out the rusty tank?
Thanks in advance.

Electrolysis...use it on motorcycle tanks all the time and it works great

white vinegar works great for rust removal. takes a while but the metal looks brand new when youre done

I like the vinegar idea, I used Muriatic acid on one once and it ate every trace of rust right out of the tank but it was scary as Hell to do, what with the fumes and nasty bubbling and heat going on. Not sure I would do it again but the tank sure was clean inside afterwards! Oh,and there should be a little screen on the end of the tube.

I ended up using the nuclear option...Muriatic Acid. I did do a search and found out how to do it safely and to be able to neutralize the acid so it was harmless (baking soda). I then used a product called Red Kote, a flexible impermeable coating that binds the remaining rust and coats the interior of the tank. I then scored the correct paint and decals from Peter at NY Marine. Here it is painted, I will post when I have the decal and the cap finished. Anybody know where I can find a decent chromed cap?

Never heard of Red Kote before but it looks like a good product. There are rave reviews at Amazon. Found the quart size on eBay for $24.99 shipped. I have a rusty gas tank on an old Kawasaki KE175 and it should do a good job on that, as well.

Tank looks nice, BTW, it'll look even nicer with a new set of decals!

Cheers.......ed

Great job on a super nasty project!

When I worked in a radiator aur I digit ing and gas tank repair shop they used something similar on tanks it's a little pricey but for a valuable part it's worth it and it is bullet proof once cured.

If you're still looking I think I have a couple NOS chrome caps. Contact me directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.