Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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thunder37
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Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by thunder37 » Sat Dec 02, 2017 3:39 pm

Guys,

Corrected: After reading the Material; Safety and Use Sheet I think this product will damage your Gas Tanks and all metals except Stainless and Chrome, as one MV guys has said also.
http://clrbrands.com/sds/SDS-CLR-CALCIU ... EMOVER.pdf

I got several great ideas from guys on the forum concerning best way to clean the inside of my MV fuel tank.

Its actually in pretty nice shape, surface rust on inside but doesn't look too flaky or pitted from what I can actually see.

I had this ideas: I have used CLR (Calcium, Lime and Rust) brand remover on many things around the house and it works great. (Correction) The product has lactic acid and I don't know if it will hurt anything, but it attacks rust, mineral and calcium deposits, etc. with a vengeance.

Just thought I would ask. I am pulling the tank tomorrow and gonna try several things that were suggested to me in my other thread about fuel tank issues.

Thanks!

Brent
Attachments CLR brand cleaner.JPG
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Last edited by thunder37 on Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:17 am, edited 2 times in total.


flavus
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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by flavus » Sun Dec 03, 2017 3:22 am

The product is not an acid and won't hurt hardly anything,
That's not true,
just taker a look at he data sheet and/or the FAQ.
It's a blend of various acids and solvents, highly toxic and dangerous to alle metals except stainless steel.
If You'd like to destroy your fuel tank - proceed.
I'd prefer products especially made for inhibiting rust corroson in fuel tanks.
Peter

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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by thunder37 » Sun Dec 03, 2017 7:28 am

Thanks Peter, you are correct!

I have corrected the post, but left it up so others can see it.

"(Correction) The product has lactic acid and I don't know if it will hurt anything"

Thanks!

Brent

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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:29 am

Yes, I actually did use CLR on a GPW tank; it is not as aggressive as other true rust removers so you would have to leave in for a very long time to do any damage.
It has a PH of 2.3; slightly weaker than lemon juice, and that is not very aggressive on steel. It gave Rabbits only a slight skin irritation, and rabbits have very sensitive skin. It didn't remove all the rust so I used Muriatic acid afterward; that is nasty stuff and definitely will remove rust. And steel if you leave it in too long. Put it in with a piece of chain and slosh it around; be careful; it will burn you.
CLR is a tame household product. I used CLR on an M37 tank too that was just stained with rust; did a good job on that.
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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by dinof » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:43 am

I sell CLR at the store. I have found it's not as strong as it's original formula. It won't do much to steel.
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Jerry Hudgens
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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by Jerry Hudgens » Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:07 pm

I tell you, CLR does not work on getting water hard scale off of faucets. It seemed like to me that it used to do that but now it doesn't do anything to hard scale.

Just a waste of time and money.

Jerry Hudgens

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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by dinof » Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:30 pm

Jerry Hudgens wrote:
Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:07 pm
I tell you, CLR does not work on getting water hard scale off of faucets. It seemed like to me that it used to do that but now it doesn't do anything to hard scale.

Just a waste of time and money.

Jerry Hudgens
Yep Jerry, you are correct!
Dino Falabrino
On the "G" since 1998.
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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:48 pm

Right; as I said, it is a weak household product. Why guys are saying it is a strong acid that will eat up your gas tank is what I don't understand.
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Re: Cleaning an MV fuel tank with "CLR" brand stain remover?

Post by thunder37 » Sat Dec 23, 2017 4:27 pm

Guys,

I found the best solution for the repair and cleaning of the fuel tank issue.

I remembered an old radiator repair shop where I used to take all my Willys and Ford GPW radiators over the years. This is an old school shop and the guys are all old timers like me.

They will acid clean, braze a few bad spots, pressure test and line the tank for $125 !!!!! If there are large holes they will cut them out and weld a patch plate in for more money based on the damage.

The guy who owns it says he caters to the vintage vehicle restorers and they are always satisfiewd with his work.

I know they did a super job for me on my radiators in really bad shape.

That's the solution for me, anyway.

Below is the contact info, if you want to try them. Or look for an old time radiator repair shop near you. This guy says most of them also do fuel tanks since there are many similarities to radiator repair.

The shop is :

Cookeville Radiator Shop
435 W. Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
931-526-2013

Brent


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