Dansk gas tank pre cleaning

[john walker's workshop]

I'm about to install a Dansk tank in an 84. The instructions say to clean out the inside rust proofing with carb cleaner 2 or 3 times and a final rinse with gasoline. I'm not about to use the old, stinky, toxic carb cleaner ever again, so wondering what people have used that works well. I don't see how just spraying B12 in there would reach all surfaces.
I installed one in a 79 project a while ago, ignoring the instructions and the fuel pump seized up later on. Didn't look like there was anything visible inside, so I went for it. Lesson learned.

[sigchuck]

I cleaned mine with B12 and not sure that it was able to reach all surfaces. I also used gasoline as a final wash before installing it. Since there is no in tank filter like the original, I used an inline filter before the pump with a 180 degree fitting - an idea that I got from several threads on Pelican.

I have around 15k miles on this setup with no issues yet. I haven't attempted to clean the inline filter, but the pump is still putting out great pressure (just checked system pressure a couple weeks ago and it's 6.5 bar).

[john walker's workshop]

A few years ago, there would have been a dozen responses in a day. Shows how slow the forum has become. 3 days sometimes on the first page. Wazzup?

[donbecker1234]

When I replaced my old tank with the new Dansk tank a few years ago, I followed the instructions. Taped all the holes, used carb cleaner and just rolled the tank around a few times to clean it out, then rinsed the inside with gas, same story, rolled it around.

As for your story about a fuel pump seizure post new tank install, the new ones don't have a screen/prefilter, so it might be something to consider between the tank and the pump.

[E Sully]

Over the winter I emptied the gas tank on my motorcycle and coated the interior with Blaster Surface Shield. I contacted them and their recommendation to clean it out with was just rinse with gasoline. It worked fine, no issues with the bike this year.

[john walker's workshop]

OK, i dosed it with 3 cans of B12, sloshed it around as well as possible, drained and filled with 1/2 gal of gas, sloshed it more. Should be good I hope. Got 2 bike tanks to clean too.

[jonesb930]

Hey John, it sure has slowed down. I just got back on my project after many years distractions. There are still a great group of people with an incredible amount of knowledge of these old cars but nothing like it was 10 years ago. Still, its the most active place to talk about these.

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

A few years ago, there would have been a dozen responses in a day. Shows how slow the forum has become. 3 days sometimes on the first page. Wazzup?

[ChrisHamilton]

Any solvent based refinish wax and grease remover works well too. What I've always used on tanks with the waxy rust preventative.

[john walker's workshop]

i'll try that next time. I had that last tank destined for my '87, but had to use it on a customer's car. Must have had some water collection at the lowest point and finally rusted through. Strange thing, it was super clean inside from what I could see.

[E Sully]

Ethanol in gas today should help clean residue in tanks.

[thetorch]

I used Delphi FC01 Fuel Tank Cleaner, which is mixed with water. You blow out the tank with compressed air immediately, and rinse/swirl with a small amount of gasoline. Zero issues.

[Quickstep192]

I’m hoping to revive this thread since I’m about to clean a new Dansk tank.

The MSDS for B-12 says it’s 90% acetone. Would acetone work? Or maybe Lacquer thinner?

I can easily get some B-12, but I’ve already got acetone and lacquer thinner.