When do I treat a tank with sealant?
If it is rusted or has leaking seams or pin holes. After your tank is re-chromed it will rust very quickly. It is advisable to apply a sealant immediately after your tank has been re-chromed
There are several different products on the market. Which one to go for?
Take a product that has been on the market for some years and has built up a good reputation. Don't use only the sales man's word. With Tank Cure we have 18 years experience.
How much sealant do I need?
Make sure you always have sufficient sealant to treat the whole of inside.
As a guide:
Tank up to 20 litres (up to 4.5 gallons): 450 grams
Tank up to 50 / 60 litres (up to 10 / 12 gallons) 600 gram
There might be some slight variation, depending on the brand of sealant used. Don't forget you must treat the whole of the inside of the tank, not just the bad spots.
If I need to weld my tank in the future or wish to change the shape of my tank, what will happen to the sealant?
In general all sealants will melt at temperatures above approx. 150 C. making a welding job impossible. It is advisable to go for a sealant that you can remove. Tank Cure has a special remover for this situation.
Do I go for a single or two component sealant?
A two component product is less sensitive to other problems such as temperature and humidity. Look at the professional world where paint and fillers are all based on two or even more components to guarantee a certain result within a given time span. With a two component sealant the cure time is set off by the chemical reaction between the components. It is questionable if the remains of a single component sealant will cure in a enclosed environment such as a petrol tank especially if you can not drain all of the surplus out of the tank.
Will sealant cure small pin holes?
Most of the available sealants will cure small holes. Tank Cure is a proven solution. Advice: in general it is preferable to weld or solder holes that exceed 2 millimetres. Use sealant after this has been done.
Do I apply the sealant before or after the tank receives new paint on the outside?
The easiest way is to apply the sealant first. There is no risk of damaging the fresh paint when you apply the sealant first. If however, the paint job involves temperatures above 100o C do the paint job first to prevent the sealant from melting. Ask for the sealant specification in this case!
Can I apply sealant in polyester and carbon fibre tanks?
Ask the supplier of the sealant for his experience with this kind of application. Tank Cure is in use for years now in sheet metal tanks! Tanks manufactured from polyethylene or polypropylene ("soft plastic") will give trouble for most of the sealants. The adhesion of this kind of materials is very poor. First try a very small quantity (drops) on a spot of the tank where you can remove it easily. If epoxy filler or epoxy primer has a poor adhesion on the outside surface of the tank it is not wise to apply a sealant on the inside!
Do I have to treat the tank before I apply a sealant?
Yes, always. A tank needs to be free of any grease before you apply a sealant. So take special attention if you use a two stroke petrol. If your tank is rusted take out as much rust as you can. Most of the suppliers of sealants have certain products that you can use to prepare your tank. As an example: Tank Cure Cleaner and Tank Cure Rust remover.
My tank has small tubes that act as an air vent. Can I still apply a sealant?
Yes. Seal off the air vents during the application of the sealant. When you take out the residue use an air compressor to free the tubes from sealant. Do this before the sealant starts to cure!
How long can I use it after I have mixed the two components?
You can work with it for half an hour. After 45 min. it will start to cure and hardens out quickly.
What is the colour of the Tank Cure sealant?
The sealant is transparent.
How much experience has been built up with Tank Cure sealant?
We have been using it for 18 years. This includes the use with modern petrol. You must, however, follow the user guidelines to apply the sealant to guarantee a good end result
What to do if your product fails?
For steel tanks you can use the Tank Cure epoxy remover to take the sealant out. But remember: if you follow the guidelines the product will not fail!
Can I also apply Tank Cure sealant on the outside of the tank?
Yes, you can apply the sealant wherever you like. There is one precaution: the surface has to be dry and free of grease. The best option is to use it on the inside and treat the outside with an epoxy primer or epoxy filler.
I want to treat 2 tanks. Is this an option?
Yes. Use the 600 gram portion for two tanks up to 10 or 12 litres. The 450 gram portion will do two tanks smaller than 10 litres
1) Take an accurate pair of scales (digital) and take half of both components. Mix them for the first tank. Leave the rest for the second tank.
2) Prepare both tanks, clean them and take the rust out. First treat the tank with the smallest internal surface. This tank allows you to get all of the residue out. Turn the first tank for 15 minutes and drain off the residue quickly. Put the residue in the second tank and turn this also for 15 minutes before taking the residue out.
My tank has internal shields. Can I still apply sealant
Yes. Make sure to use sufficient sealant and try to cover the shields first before you do the "easy" surfaces like bottom and top of the tank. Try to imagine where the sealant is on the inside of the tank and take your time turning it in all directions.
My tank is rather dirty and rusted. What should I do?
First clean out the tank with cleaner. Get most of the rust out with the help of a handful of clean gravel. Then use rust remover. You can combine the gravel with the rust remover if you like. Follow the guidelines and apply the sealant.
My tank has a coating on the inside that has come loose. What is the solution?
You might give the Tank Cure epoxy remover a go. There is a good chance that it will help you out. Clean your tank with water let it dry and apply the remover. Wait a couple of days and see what happens. Follow the guidelines supplied with the epoxy remover.
I only used normal petrol in my tank do I still need to clean it?
Yes. Use Tank Cure Tank Cleaner for the best guarantee on the end result. Use white spirit as a minimum treatment.
I have cleaned out my tank with a different brand cleaner. What should I do?
Never play around with different chemical products without cleaning the tank with water in between. Tank Cure Rust Remover is a diluted acid based product and should not be used in combination with another product.
Can I use Tank Cure sealant for other purposes?
Tank Cure has already used for years as a crank case sealant. Apply it on the inside of the crankcase and oil sweating is stopped. Other people have treated car doors and mudguards on the inside. Cork floats of Schebler carburettors can be made petrol tight with Tank Cure sealant.
