gas tank cleaning

I have a 1936 22. It has problem with material in fuel tank. Radiator shop advises you can't steam clean tank or it will rust. They advise caustic acid and then sealer. Anyone had this problem.
Thanks
Gene

Carole,

I have done a few tanks. The twenty two tank is easy because it has a hole in the middle so you can add some nuts and bolts and then rotate it on a rod of some sort to clean up the inside rust. I have also pressure washed them but did an acetone wash after to completely dry the tank before using tank sealer. Many different tank sealers and opinions on which is the best. others will chime in here too.

Good Luck

Biggastractor

I have used nuts and bolts and some sand and water--strapped it to my lawn mower wheel and it came pretty clean--then dried it good and epoxied the inside

Electrolysis works well
nothing caustic to get rid of or purchase

you can use nuts, bolts, 3/8 crushed stone gravel, a piece of chain, chain works well and is easy to remove and kerosene or diesel even a strong mix of laundry powder or napisan(soaker) put cap on and shake the living shit out of it. it will knock all the loose rust off empty you may need to do this a few times and rinse well with water and detergent then get a quality phosphoric acid rust converter and pour some into the tank roll it around tip out excess and let it dry for a while rinse again with clean water let it dry.

then use one of the tank sealer kits you can get from all good auto parts joints. follow directions for the kit exactly or it wont last.

there was a product called redkote it is hard to get now it was a powder that you mixed with acetone and coated inside tanks with.

tank sealing is like painting preparation is everything.