Removing old KREEM from tank?????

Hey bud, POR-15 sells a kreem remover specific for that.. Today is the 4th day of the 96 hour wait, i get to put gas in it tomorrow and see if it works.

Well it has now been 2 days since I have put the small pieces of tank liner in the little bottles with different solvents. ad to say, none of them work. Acetone MEK Methylene-Chloride, Try-Chloro-Ethylene, Xylene, Toluene, Try-Butyl-Ether, and a few more. None of these Dissolve the Old Kreem The only one that shows any promise is Methylene-Chloride It seams to make it very brittle and the stuff brakes up into small pieces. But this is still with the stuff being totally submerged for two days. I called the local radiator shop and they have experience with the stuff. They told me that they burn the stuff out with a torch and than pressure wash it out. This would not be my first three choices. This process could soften the metal and cause other problems. I think I will go with the Methylene-Chloride and than pressure wash it out. I plan on using the KBS product to re-line the tank. If anyone claims that MEK or Acetone takes the stuff off, they are not dealing with the old two part Kreem.

Otakar, have you tried aircraft paint stripper? I'd dump a whole quart in there and slosh that around. Especially if you can score one called Turco 5351: www.telfordindustries.com.au/products_03.asp?ProductID=136 (evil stuff)

Maybe check at your local aircraft supply store.

Yes I am very familiar with this type of striper. Used it many times. Unfortunately it is expensive and not too easy to acquire. I do have some, but I wanted to save it to remove external paint. I know that one of the local automotive places has something which is called "aircraft paint striper" But I think it is another "Wanabee". I will go out today and pick some up to try.

Hmmm...I dread attacking my double Kreem GPz tank. I already have some MEK and Acetone and one of the local auto parts carries something labeled 'Aircraft Paint Stripper' so I'll try that too, if all else fails. Thanks for taking the time, Otakar, to post your tests.

Several years ago, I saw on the "official" Kreem website where acetone was recommended to remove the product, and said necessary to only partially fill the tank because the fumes would take care of lining above the acetone level in the tank.

Bought 3 gallons of acetone from Lowes ($20/gallon at the time), and pretty much filled the tank (not screwing around with fumes) and being very careful to protect pristine original exterior tank paint against any contact whatsoever with the acetone.

The acetone worked quickly, and in just a few minutes all the Kreem completely dissolved into the acetone, without drama, and flushed away with the acetone into a catch bucket.

Rinsed/flushed tank interior with a quart of common household rubbing alcohol, repeated with water, and from there proceeded with the muratic acid > water rinse > alcohol rinse > WD40 rinse > fill with fresh gas.

But any of the several other rust removal techniques would have worked just as well imo. I just wasn't aware of them at the time, and have always wanted to try electrolysis and the BB's (plus chain, nuts, bolts, metal screws, or what-have-you) in the clothes dryer method.

Of course, no acid or any other liquid inside the tank while turning around inside the clothes dryer. And importantly, this method entails padding the tank with pillows, blankets, etc. to hold it stable while rotating inside the dryer on no-heat setting, and not allowing the tank to bounce around inside the dryer -- duh.

This Kreem removal (acetone) and rust removal (muratic acid) procedure very successfully performed on both Z1 and KZ900 with original paint always well maintained and garaged and still looking brand new. Keeping tanks full has kept them rust-free inside.

Forgive me for being doubtful about acetone having failed to readily dissolve and remove the old Kreem coating.

Good Luck!

The old Kreem used to be a two part epoxy, which is what I believe this is. I called Kreem in California two days ago and they said the same thing ACETONE OR MEK. I attempted both and they did not even soften the stuff I have in the tank. I have just picked up more of the Paint stripper and se what happens. I will post results.

Otto

Just a little tip, I used 200 1/4 inch lock washers to shake around in mine. That way you can get them out with a flexible shaft magnent. The tank Im doing now is an 80 GS1100 and you cant shake them out of it. Plus you have all those spare lock washers when your done. This one set 9 years with gas in it and Ive been 6 months trying to get all the rust crap out of it soaking it with Greased Lightning. Ive flushed it 10 times and I still am getting junk out of it

otakar wrote:

The old Kreem used to be a two part epoxy, which is what I believe this is. I called Kreem in California two days ago and they said the same thing ACETONE OR MEK. I attempted both and they did not even soften the stuff I have in the tank. I have just picked up more of the Paint stripper and se what happens. I will post results.

Otto

Thanks for the info about the earlier Kreem two part epoxy. It must have been an ancient formulation (has two part epoxy really been around that long?) as the stuff I've been familar with over the last 30+ years has been what seems most akin to a lacquer based product.

In reviewing the earlier posts I see where it was indeed noted, "If anyone claims that MEK or Acetone takes the stuff off, they are not dealing with the old two part Kreem" and that much pre-testing has been done with the various chemicals, and that the radiator shop resorts to burning it out.

Seems like removing the two part expoxy may prove to be as troublesome as removing baked on powdercoat. Hope the paint stripper proves successful, and that a gallon or so won't break the bank.

Not that it so much matters, but is the existing coating absolutely positively a Kreem brand product as opposed to some other two part epoxy fuel tank sealing product?

Am guessing it was not applied during your tenure of ownership.

Good Luck!

There is NO rust in this tank. The metal is absolutely Virgin Beautiful. It is just the "preventative KREEM" that someone put in it that I have to remove. i put some of the Aircraft paint stripper on it from the local auto store about 10 minutes ago

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IT WORKS :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: That is grate. The stuff is $10 a quart but it crinkles the KREEM right up.

You-Know- Patton, I might have to stop and think for a moment. The stuff I may be remembering was called "Tank Seal" Which was a two part epoxy. I did a tank back in about 1981 with the stuff It was also this translucent milky color like "Kreem" Which is what must be in this tank because of its integrity.

Have you looked into red-kote ? I have done 2 tanks with it, cleaned them out with muriatic acid first, no problems.

www.4secondsflat.com/Fuel_Tank_Sealer.html