Cleaning a fuel tank?

[FastEddy]

I'm restoring an old RC and the fuel tank is discolored.
Has anyone ever tried bleaching one?
Any good ideas on how to make it look better?

 

[beason]

I'm not sure about bleaching, its worth a try, but i have heard of people dieing them, so if you mess it up you could just die it to match the lid..

 

[Bryson]

Thats true, dyeing them looks sick! But the bleach thing would probally work, I have cleand up grips to a old bike before with them and it worked ok, should work.

Bryson

 

[FastEddy]

Just wondering if the bleach would completely rinse out or if it may interact with the fuel and cause some damage down the road.

 

[jon2]

Bleaching can actually cause pitting in certain materials and would do harm to the orings that seal it. I would like into something less invasive.

 

[FastEddy]

This tank has no O-rings or seals.
If it did, I would remove them first.

 

[beason]

if the discoloration is on the outside, maybe a plastic polish or something.

 

[HeartBreak]

discolored nylon... Have you tried oxyclean or something of the like? I would try something that removes mildew before I tried bleach (even tho it's clearly not mildew, it's still a stain)..... Other than that, about the only real way to clean a discolored fuel tank is probably boil it in water; but that could distort it.


Or maybe soak it in Efferdent?

 

[godale03]

discolored nylon... Have you tried oxyclean or something of the like? I would try something that removes mildew before I tried bleach (even tho it's clearly not mildew, it's still a stain)..... Other than that, about the only real way to clean a discolored fuel tank is probably boil it in water; but that could distort it.


Or maybe soak it in Efferdent?

You know heartbreak... I have heard the efferdent thing before. I have heard it cleans really well. I figure it is worth a shot. Bleach can be harsh on some plastics.

And there is always that minty freshness...

 

[HeartBreak]

You know heartbreak... I have heard the efferdent thing before. I have heard it cleans really well. I figure it is worth a shot. Bleach can be harsh on some plastics.

And there is always that minty freshness...

hehe, true. I've never personally tried it. Mostly because I don't have any layin around. The only other issue I can come up with is an ultrasonic cleaner with perhaps some kaboom or even some simple green (if it doesn't eat nylon, dunno) in it.