Gas tank - electrolysis process

I need some advice about cleaning a gas tank from rust by using electrolysis process.
My tank is finished from the outside.

1. Will the electrolysis process damage the outside paintwork? I'm aware that the electrolyte is only from the inside, but, still...
2. Has anybody tried to switch iron electrode with zync and reverse a polarity after electrolysis cleaning? To protect the tank.

The tanks that I have de-rusted using electrolysis the paint was not harmed in anyway what so ever. I have never tried reversing the process to then coat the inside of the tank. Can not say what or what not will happen if you were to try.

One suggestion I will make is the use or either fiberglass or plastic window screen covering the anode so it can not make a connection with the inside of tank and you can place it in narrow spaces or corners.

Im busy with this very process right now. The tank is drained and airing out. The plan is to derust (either with electrolysis or vinegar) and then zinc plate it to protect it.
Ill be posting progress soon. Im busy with some test pieces at the minute.

davido wrote: Im busy with this very process right now. The tank is drained and airing out. The plan is to derust (either with electrolysis or vinegar) and then zinc plate it to protect it.
Ill be posting progress soon. Im busy with some test pieces at the minute.

That’s a cool idea....

Will be following this with interest. I have never heard of anyone else doing this which sort of surprises me as there has been lots of electroplating done throughout history. One would think this has been attempted / succeed at some time in the past.

As an added bonus...you don't need to worry about a lack of zinc in the oil!

wrote:

As an added bonus...you don't need to worry about a lack of zinc in the oil!


Whats your meaning with this? Is it a thumbs up or a Pooh Pooh?  Please explain.
 

Zinc is good for lubrication, bad for catalytic converters.
Pretty sure that's the rub.
Bill

wrote:

wrote:

As an added bonus...you don't need to worry about a lack of zinc in the oil!


Whats your meaning with this? Is it a thumbs up or a Pooh Pooh?  Please explain.


Back in the day oils contained a lot of zinc.  With the introduction of catalytic convertors the amount of zinc was reduced and replace with other additives that are bad for wet clutch systems.  The comment therefore was an attempt at humour.

I wouldn't mess around attempting to plate the tank.  When plating on top of less than perfectly clean metal the plating adhesion won't be ideal and there may be bubbles which could peel off at sometime in the future.  You're going to need a LOT of current passing though the system too due to the amount of surface area.  

Using phosphoric acid to derust the tank will leave a thin coating on the metal which helps ward off flash rust.  The tank will still rust if you don't work fast when drying the tank but it's much better protected than when using some of the other acid derusting methods.

Nessism, you should write a How to Restore book.

I see that I've raised some interest on the subject.
Let me fill you in on my conclusions:
1. Rust removal from the gas tank by electrolysis is a simple, easy, thorough and lengthy.
    My tank is now squeaky clean from any rust. It took a week of repeating on a daily basis (changing electrolyte).
    There was 40 years worth of rust and I've taken advice from an electro-plating expert and used low current 
    (PC power supply. 12V and low current).
2. As far as the Zinc plating goes, I've taken another advice, from another expert, this time it was a materials technologist.
    Yes, you can do this, but it is simply an overkill. Just clean it thoroughly and you are ok for the next 40 years.