Posted by David Sherman on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 1:12AM :
In Reply to: Need advice regarding fuel tank coating posted by Big E on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 6:27AM :
If it's rusting out, it'll rust out elsewhere before long so you might as well get a new one, but if a seam is leaking, you should easily be able to solder it. I would be careful about using a torch, if there's any chance of the flame getting inside the tank, but would not hesitate to use an old-fashioned heavy copper soldering "iron". Clean it thoroughly with a wire wheel or sandpaper, use zinc chloride (acid) flux, and 50/50 solder, and you'll be good to go.
A year ago, I put a filled epoxy gas tank sealer putty as a field expedient on a spot on one of my side tanks where a bent body panel had cut through the tank, and so far it's still holding. I was going to take the tank out and solder it, but the hanger bolts are totally rusted so I'm just going to leave it as is and see how long the epoxy holds up.