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MG TD TF 1500 - Gas tank sealing products

I’ve searched the TD-TF archives and the Internet for a suitable gas tank sealer. There are a number of candidates. The product which seems most appealing to me is the Caswell epoxy gas tank sealer (http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm). To the best of my knowledge, this is the only epoxy (two-part) system specifically described for sealing a tank. The comments I've seen about this product are very encouraging.

Does anyone have experience with the Caswell epoxy gas tank sealer?

Thanks.

Larry
Larry Shoer

I used the POR-15 kit for my TD fuel tank. I believe it included cleaner, stripper and 2-part epoxy sealer.

I have had no problem since so I can only assume it did a good job.

The only problem I had was in the sloshing. I used a rubber bathtub stopper to close up the filler cap and left the chrome cap just dangling. After I was done I found that I had damaged the locking spring and had to replace it.

Mark Sherman

Mark Sherman

Larry - I used an aircraft sloshing compound when I first did the tank in our TD some 25 years ago (the only thing that was available at that time). Last year the compound started dissolving and made a mess in the fuel pump and carburetors, gluing the check valves in the pump and the needle valves in the carbs shut. Obviously the aircraft compound of 25 years ago wasn't made to withstand the fuel sold for today's cars. When I had the tank cleaned, I had the stripping outfit do a zinc phosphate treatment to the tank rather than going back to a sealer. At this point I can't report on how the zinc phosphate works in comparison to whatever you use - perhaps we can compare notes in another 25 years. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Mark,

I use several of the POR-15 products and have been very pleased with them. I read that the POR-15 tank sealer is identical to their silver POR-15 paint. These are single-stage moisture cured products.

In preparation for the Caswell epoxy gas tank sealer I plan to use the POR-15 Marine Clean and Metal Ready products to clean out any gummy buildups and dissolve surface rust and etch the interior steel surfaces.

Simple Green, mineral spirits (paint thinner), or acetone could be substitutued for Marine Clean. Simple Green is water-based and non-toxic. Mineral spirits won't damage paint on the tank, whereas acetone may. Another phorphoric acid etching solution could be substituted for Metal Ready.

My hope is that the Caswell tank sealer is as good as I've read.

Larry
Larry Shoer

I went into a local radiator repair shop and for $125.00 he cleaned and sealed my gas tank.... looks to be a 'red' material? think a lot of shops offer the service.He had done many T tanks.
gblawson (gordon)- TD#27667

Gordon,

This is probably a product called Red-Kote (http://www.damonq.com/TechSheets/Red-Kote.pdf).

"Red-Kote® is a new polymer coating developed
by Damon Chemical. Red-Kote is resistant to
gasoline, diesel fuel, alcohol and other fuel additives.
Its major use is to seal leaking fuel tanks.
Solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone,
methylene chloride and propylene oxide will
completely dissolve the polymer. Other industrial
solvents will affect the coating but, not completely
dissolve it."

I don't like the fact that Red-Kote is soluble in certain organic solvents. Gasoline is a complex blend of different organic products and, as we know with the addition of ethyl alcohol, its formulation can change significantly over the years. I am a chemist by training and prefer a product that is as near inert as possible. That's why I'm leaning towards a two-part epoxy system.

Larry
Larry Shoer

Larry,
I used Eastwoods kit and after 8 years everything seems ok. It is reasonably priced and easy to install. Hope this helps and have a good day!

John
John Progess

This thread was discussed between 18/02/2008 and 19/02/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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