Best Way to Clean Inside of Plastic VRO Tank

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Author Topic:   Best Way to Clean Inside of Plastic VRO Tank

caddis posted 05-10-2013 02:24 PM ET (US)
Hey gang. Just pulled my VRO tank and want to get all the old residue out of it. Any tips for what to use to clean it out? I've heard alcohol can be bad for plastic, but not sure if that's the case here. I'd like to know before I make any mistakes as these things aren't cheap to replace.
Thanks!
Tom W Clark posted 05-10-2013 02:31 PM ET (US)
Soap and water. I like Dawn brand dishwashing liquid for its excellent grease cutting abilities. Bird rescuers use it on birds that have been fouled by oil spills.
L H G posted 05-10-2013 02:52 PM ET (US)
Todd - dump a pint of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or gasoline in it, and slosh it around and shake it up. That should cut it. The alcohol in the gasoline won't hurt the tank.
contender posted 05-10-2013 03:10 PM ET (US)
Gas, Why would you want to use anything else? The gas will dissolve the old oil, then just dump it into your lawnmower or your car, the oil will lubricate the valves, turn the VRO tank upside down to dry out. Take care
macfam posted 05-10-2013 07:54 PM ET (US)
contender,
Brilliant!!
Binkster posted 05-10-2013 10:15 PM ET (US)
I would use acetone. After all its sold in plastic bottles. It is a better glue and gunk dissolver than gasoline. Its routinely used in kitchen cabinet shops that build Formica covered cabinets to remove excess glue. So we know it will not damage plastic or gel coat.
rich
Buckda posted 05-12-2013 10:48 AM ET (US)
There are many different formulations of plastic - so broad statements about what will or won't harm plastic can be pretty difficult to defend; however, those tanks are built out of very tough plastic - cleaned both of mine out using soap and water and let them dry out before shelving them. They'll be pulled out and returned to service once I get back to the "rigging" stage of my project. For now, the tanks are empty and as clean as they've been since they were first installed.
JeePete posted 05-13-2013 06:15 AM ET (US)
Cad--is it just dirty oil residue or is there crap in the bottom? When old motorcycle tanks (metal ones) would have old gas in them, the trick was to pour in "XX" solvent, with a handful of nuts (metal ones, not Planters), the shake the snot out of it, lather, rinse, repeat. Hope this helps.

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Author	Topic: Best Way to Clean Inside of Plastic VRO Tank
caddis	posted 05-10-2013 02:24 PM ET (US) Hey gang. Just pulled my VRO tank and want to get all the old residue out of it. Any tips for what to use to clean it out? I've heard alcohol can be bad for plastic, but not sure if that's the case here. I'd like to know before I make any mistakes as these things aren't cheap to replace. Thanks!
Tom W Clark	posted 05-10-2013 02:31 PM ET (US) Soap and water. I like Dawn brand dishwashing liquid for its excellent grease cutting abilities. Bird rescuers use it on birds that have been fouled by oil spills.
L H G	posted 05-10-2013 02:52 PM ET (US) Todd - dump a pint of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or gasoline in it, and slosh it around and shake it up. That should cut it. The alcohol in the gasoline won't hurt the tank.
contender	posted 05-10-2013 03:10 PM ET (US) Gas, Why would you want to use anything else? The gas will dissolve the old oil, then just dump it into your lawnmower or your car, the oil will lubricate the valves, turn the VRO tank upside down to dry out. Take care
macfam	posted 05-10-2013 07:54 PM ET (US) contender, Brilliant!!
Binkster	posted 05-10-2013 10:15 PM ET (US) I would use acetone. After all its sold in plastic bottles. It is a better glue and gunk dissolver than gasoline. Its routinely used in kitchen cabinet shops that build Formica covered cabinets to remove excess glue. So we know it will not damage plastic or gel coat. rich
Buckda	posted 05-12-2013 10:48 AM ET (US) There are many different formulations of plastic - so broad statements about what will or won't harm plastic can be pretty difficult to defend; however, those tanks are built out of very tough plastic - cleaned both of mine out using soap and water and let them dry out before shelving them. They'll be pulled out and returned to service once I get back to the "rigging" stage of my project. For now, the tanks are empty and as clean as they've been since they were first installed.
JeePete	posted 05-13-2013 06:15 AM ET (US) Cad--is it just dirty oil residue or is there crap in the bottom? When old motorcycle tanks (metal ones) would have old gas in them, the trick was to pour in "XX" solvent, with a handful of nuts (metal ones, not Planters), the shake the snot out of it, lather, rinse, repeat. Hope this helps.