TheSamba.com :: View topic - Por-15 Gas Tank Sealer

Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:01 am

I used the por-15 gas tank sealer on a brand new tank about 2 years ago. The other day I noticed some bubbles in the sealer as I was filling it up and today I took out the tank to look around. The sealer is peeling off in sheets. Any suggestions on how to get all the sealer out? Or am I stuck with just buying a new tank?

Thanks,

Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:17 pm

I did thus treatment to both of my vw's, hope it holds up. It must be impossible to clean that stuff out. Are you using a beetle tank in your buggy?

Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:18 pm

I used it on an old tank for another project, I followed the directions best that I could and I was not happy with the result. There were many places where there was no adhesion.

I wouldn't want to fight with it, you'll be changing fuel filters and saying bad words! I just replaced it.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:55 pm

The instructions and web site say it is safe for ethanol blended fuels, but I bet it's not.

Of course if you complain to the company they will just assure you that you didn't follow the instructions correctly :roll:

Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:19 pm

caseydenise wrote: I did thus treatment to both of my vw's, hope it holds up. It must be impossible to clean that stuff out. Are you using a beetle tank in your buggy?

I am using a beetle tank that I paid to have the fill moved to the middle -- hate to pay that again.

I did get most of it out with box of screws and A LOT of shaking around. Then I let acetone sit in various areas (this seemed to work better than the screws).

Going to let it sit overnight and take a look in the morning.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:55 am

I used POR15 on my tank because I had 1 pin hole in a seam midway up one end. It was a new tank and had no rust. I followed the directions to the letter. After letting the stuff cure for 2 weeks I filled the tank with water only to find I still had the same pinhole leak in the weld. The fix was to drill the hole larger and use a 2 part putty. After treating with POR you can't weld because the liner will burn. The POR has since turned into a crinkle texture that I'm sure will come loose over time. I'm glad I installed a sock over the fuel outlet. I wouldn't use POR15 tank sealer again. $40 per quart for something to clog fuel lines? Its rubbish.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:21 pm

I for one appreciate you guys posting your experience with the POR gas tank sealer. My biggest fear about going through all the work and think you've done a "by the book" job prepping and appyling the sealer - then to have the nightmare you've describe happen.
Sounds similar to a "rust converter" coating I applied to a floorpan many years ago - only to find it bubbling up from re-forming rust underneath a few months later! Totally sucks!

I guess the only "real" fix is to either have the tank professionally cleaned out, or apply one of the chemical or chemical/electrical processes to completely remove the rust inside, then hope for the best the rust doesn't reform inside, at least for many years.

Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:35 am

I had read mixed things about using that stuff as a tank liner, especially when it comes to Ethanol-blended fuel. I went with a kit from Bill Hirsh instead. Haven't put fuel in the tank yet, so I can't comment on its ability to hold up over time, but it also claims to be ok with alcohol in the fuel.

http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ARK-01

Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:57 am

This is the best stuff to use. The radiator shop that tests my tanks turned me on to it years ago.

http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html

Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:13 pm

kustoms wrote: This is the best stuff to use. The radiator shop that tests my tanks turned me on to it years ago.

http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html

Kustoms

When you used the Damon Red Kote did it go on thick? When I was draining the extra out of the tank it got real stringy and was just hanging from the filler neck. I let the Red Kote drain to that end so it did not puddle. The Red Kote looks thicker in some areas than others but seem to have completly covered the interior of the tank.

Does this sound like what you have experienced in the past using this product? Thanks in advance!

Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:56 pm

Has anyone had any experience with the gas tank sealer sold by Eastwood - good or bad?

Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:01 pm

I just did my tank last week. my tank was leaking from the seam on the front 2 corners. also had a pin hole leak right above the seam. I thought I was going to have to buy a new tank. with my budget, that wasnt going to happen for a while.

I read about red kote from this site so I picked up a gallon from the local oreilys. just over $50 I think. I cleaned the gas tank with dishwashing soap and water. that was after I threw in about 10 feet of chain in the tank to loosen up any rust.

I probably poured in half a gallon in the tank and shwished it all around. then drained it back into the gallon can and imediatly sealed it up. then I tipped the tank to the side and let the rest drain into a disposable mixing cup. it was slow going. they recomend you drain it for 30 seconds, but that just isnt enough time. I tried the 30 seconds then set it flat, but I could see in the sender unit hole that it was starting to puddle at the bottom. I then proped it up and let it drain for a while. it did start to get stringy and get stuck to the filler spout. the reason they dont want you to have any puddles in it I think is becuase it develops a skin pretty quick and traps the excess under. the excess in my disposable cup finally cured in about a week. I checked it every day to see what I might have in my tank. the excess in the cup is about 1/4 inch thick.

I did 4 coats in total. one coat a day. I havent filled it up yet to see if it sealed the tank or not. im pretty sure it did. the first coat actually started working its way our the seam I had a leak in. then after it cured I put another 3 coats over it.

ill post my findings when I fill it up.

Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:09 am

wvbowtieman wrote: kustoms wrote: This is the best stuff to use. The radiator shop that tests my tanks turned me on to it years ago.

http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html

Kustoms

When you used the Damon Red Kote did it go on thick? When I was draining the extra out of the tank it got real stringy and was just hanging from the filler neck. I let the Red Kote drain to that end so it did not puddle. The Red Kote looks thicker in some areas than others but seem to have completly covered the interior of the tank.

Does this sound like what you have experienced in the past using this product? Thanks in advance!

Yes, if you do not move fast enough. You need to do a little at a time; meaning thin coats. Do not try to rush it though. Follow the directions to the letter and you will have a tank that will last. The stuff is awesome. The company has a PDF on there site that has a lot of info about it.

I am sure your tank will be just fine.

On a side note; I would recommend when you have your tank out and before you "Kote" them, send it out to the radiator shop. They can pressure test and fill any holes you may have. It really does not cost that much. We depend on the "Red Kote" to line the tank because the factory coating (as feeble as it is) burns off when we modify them. It stops any rust that will form. Oh, Don't forget to paint the out side of them as well.