Protecting tank during rebuild

I'm in the process of a major (for me anyways) rebuild on a 1982 KZ750-H3 and have pulled the fuel tank for better access to everything. I usually keep my tanks as close to full as possible to prevent rusting, but I'd like to empty this one to work on the petcock and fuel level indicator.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what to use to protect the metal inside the tank while it's drained. I was thinking of just spraying alot of WD40 into the tank and swirling it around, dumping out the excess. Wasn't sure it this would give me any problems when I filled it again and tried to start it up.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Link14 wrote:

... any suggestions on what to use to protect the metal inside the tank while it's drained. I was thinking of just spraying alot of WD40 into the tank and swirling it around, dumping out the excess. Wasn't sure it this would give me any problems when I filled it again and tried to start it up....

Believe the WD40 will do just fine and not give any problem at start-up (but wouldn't hurt to rinse out tank with a little fresh gas).

WD40 is also available in non-pressurized plain liquid form, which might be easier to just pour in and shake around.

Good Luck!

Patton wrote:

WD40 is also available in non-pressurized plain liquid form, which might be easier to just pour in and shake around.

Yes, WD40 is about $14 per gallon at Lowes/Home Depot/etc.

Here is a trick I learned from a customer of mine who owns a radiator and fuel tank repair business.

I simply emptied my tank completely and removed the petcock and gas cap and then I connected a 3 foot long vacuum cleaner hose to the top of the tank. Using a hair dryer I blew air from a hair dryer into the tank (through the gas cap opening at low speed.)

This easy process took about five minutes and once dry, there was no flash rusting.

The key is also to keep it in a warm dry area away from humidity and a cotton towel wrapped around the tank will help absorb any humidity in the air.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada