Removing old tank liner?

[The Lloyd]

i picked up some project bikes, in fairly decent shape for the price $800 CDN, for a 74’ CB125S, 77’ CT125 and a 74’ XL125 parts bike.

All three have tanks in decent shape, great paint, no leaks or rust. But All Three have liners in them, the XL and CT are in good shape but the CB tanks liner is peeling and needs removing.

i am 99% sure it’s a POR-15 tank liner, silver grey, hard finish, will not dissolve in Acetone.

a lot of the chemicals I would normally have tried are no longer legal for private sale, I would have put MEK (methyl Ethyl Keytone) in the tank with a handful of nuts and after a day or so of shaking and soaking, I would have poured out a grey slime ball and stared the liner process over.

so the question is how to remove a failed POR-15 tank liner? Without using chemicals that are not readily available, and I can not find a radiator shop that does hot tanking any more.

any sugestions?

 

[ancientdad]

I've never personally lined a tank myself so I'm only familiar with what I read here, but many have used acetone to remove old tank liners.

 

[stl360+450]

I believe it may be true that acetone alone is insufficient to remove a cured POR-15 liner. Without harsher chemicals, you may need to rely on abrasive removal. Screws, nuts, tumbler. Or possibly media/vapor blasting. If you also need to protect the exterior finish, that could be tricky.

 

[Flyin900]

MEK is a desired source on the commercial side is what to look for in your area. An aircraft retro repair and testing outfit outfit is a good candidate for a freelance worker willing to do the job and dispose of those chemicals correctly.
Forget the outer gas tank paint finish that is a memory! A full repaint is needed.
Cutting out the inner liner of the tank open and blasting it out. Then rewelding it back together is also a good option for a clean build and correct new liner application again.

 

[Boomer343]

Dominion Sure Seal Sure Strip with Methylene chloride, I buy from Global Autobody supply. Canada only.

And be prepared for price shock. Use a mask with proper filter and lots of protective gear. For the epoxy liner I took out it was a slow process but was effective.