Cleaning the Inside of a Fiberglass Oil Tank

2LZ · 02-03-2023, 05:51 PM

Tossing this out to my fellow Chinarider genius's.

The oil tank on my BSA is fiberglass. It's been empty for years. There's no real chunks or heavy sludge, but there is the skin of sticky oil slime lining the walls.

The internet has a ton of conflicting info regarding different fluids like acetone, mineral spirits, Brakleen, etc.... and everyone agrees on Dawn and hot water, but there's no instant gratification.

So....what would you guys use???? Any fiberglass-seasoned veterans here?

david3921 · 02-05-2023, 09:36 PM

I would start with stuff that is less harsh. Rubbing alcohol at 70%, then 90%. Is there any mention of WD40? Vinegar? I just think acetone is way too harsh. Yeah it will get the oil off but I think it would soften up the plastic in the fiberglass. Hmmm...what about gasoline? Another thought: Seafoam has isopropyl alcohol and naptha in it. It also has something called pale oil. Maybe worth a shot.

2LZ · 02-06-2023, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david3921

I would start with stuff that is less harsh. Rubbing alcohol at 70%, then 90%. Is there any mention of WD40? Vinegar? I just think acetone is way too harsh. Yeah it will get the oil off but I think it would soften up the plastic in the fiberglass. Hmmm...what about gasoline? Another thought: Seafoam has isopropyl alcohol and naptha in it. It also has something called pale oil. Maybe worth a shot.

Thanks for the input, david! I ended up going this route and so far, so good.

I used a spray can of Brakleen, shook the hell out of it, and dumped it, three times. Then hosed it out with our well water. Then I sprayed it out with WD40 a couple times. Then more water.

After that, I filled my 13 gallon trash can with hot water and Dawn. Dropped the tank in and and let is sit overnight.

Hosed it out today and after a 15 minute session with Mrs. 2LZ blow dryer, it looks brand new inside. Let's hope it doesn't go into meltdown.

Boatguy · 02-06-2023, 12:12 PM

It’ll definitely be fine. Fiberglass can stand up to every one of those things you threw at it with ease. No matter what the resin.

02-03-2023, 05:51 PM	#1
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,105	Cleaning the Inside of a Fiberglass Oil Tank Tossing this out to my fellow Chinarider genius's. The oil tank on my BSA is fiberglass. It's been empty for years. There's no real chunks or heavy sludge, but there is the skin of sticky oil slime lining the walls. The internet has a ton of conflicting info regarding different fluids like acetone, mineral spirits, Brakleen, etc.... and everyone agrees on Dawn and hot water, but there's no instant gratification. So....what would you guys use???? Any fiberglass-seasoned veterans here? __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
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02-05-2023, 09:36 PM	#2
david3921 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,035	I would start with stuff that is less harsh. Rubbing alcohol at 70%, then 90%. Is there any mention of WD40? Vinegar? I just think acetone is way too harsh. Yeah it will get the oil off but I think it would soften up the plastic in the fiberglass. Hmmm...what about gasoline? Another thought: Seafoam has isopropyl alcohol and naptha in it. It also has something called pale oil. Maybe worth a shot. __________________ 2012 Kawasaki Versys 1984 Honda Magna V65 2016 Rhino 250 2016 Tao Tao 125D
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02-06-2023, 12:12 PM	#4
Boatguy Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Northeast Posts: 929	It’ll definitely be fine. Fiberglass can stand up to every one of those things you threw at it with ease. No matter what the resin. __________________ 2020 Lifan x-pect
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