I think Ive made resin mistake

[Frosty]

I poured about 20 % acetone into some polyester resin mixed it up and then poured in a generous amount of hardener. I poured this mix into a motorcycle gas tank and turned it around to seal the inside of the tank.

That was 3 days ago and its still a bit tacky but sound. I poured in the petrol and its feels slimey yet I cant pick my finger nail through it.

Do you think ive cocked up by mixing the polyester with acetone.

Im thinking of taking the petrol out again and mixing a proper mix of polyester and hardener. Do you think this is necessary or will it be ok.

[Boston]

sounds like an awful mess
I cant wait to read the solution to this one

I'd try and offer something useful but I don't know Jack about polyester.

best of luck
cheers

[gonzo]

If it is an air inhibited resin, it will never cure. Unless it was a specialized resin it will be dissolved by the fuel. You may still have time to change the fuel hose and clean the carburetor. It will stick and clog everything.

[hoytedow]

Sounds like a Darwinian moment. Best of luck.

[rasorinc]

Add fosphate Frosty and you will have a bomb. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Wynand N]

getting another tank seems to be an easier solution....

Yes, this is a bad one. Get another tank. All above posts are on the money, IMO. There is likely not reason to add 20% acetone to poly resin.

[SamSam]

Or to add poly resin to a gas tank.

[Boston]

my vote goes to Gonzo on the like dissolves like concept, polyester is usually made from petroleum byproducts so a petroleum product would probably be a great solvent, IE gas.

The stuff is likely to screw up the fuel and gum up the works
if no one has an idea how to clean it out then it might be time for a new tank.

[rxcomposite]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I poured about 20 % acetone into some polyester resin mixed it up and then poured in a generous amount of hardener. I poured this mix into a motorcycle gas tank and turned it around to seal the inside of the tank.

That was 3 days ago and its still a bit tacky but sound. I poured in the petrol and its feels slimey yet I cant pick my finger nail through it.

Do you think ive cocked up by mixing the polyester with acetone.

Im thinking of taking the petrol out again and mixing a proper mix of polyester and hardener. Do you think this is necessary or will it be ok.

It did not work for me. I even used Vinyl Ester as the resin supplier told me it is resistant to chemical. My motorcycle tank leaked after a few weeks. After 2 years, I decided to cut it up and found the resin turned into foam. I made a new full fiberglass tank but I am afraid to use it. I bought a new metal tank.

My mechanic tells me there is a 2 part dark goey stuff they use to seal the metal tank but won't tell me the source.

[Angélique]

Originally Posted by rxcomposite

....
My mechanic tells me there is a 2 part dark goey stuff they use to seal the metal tank but won't tell me the source.

Maybe something like this . . . ??



Cheers,
Angel

[Poida]

Hi Frosty

I have in the past used metal putty on engines, one such brand name is Devcon. I have used it in engineering to build up worn metal components.

I don't know its resistance to petrol but is OK on oil. May have to read the specs.

If septics call petrol gas, what do they call gas. As in gas for gas fueled cars LPG.

[Frosty]

Thanks guys for your interest. The tank did not leak it was rusty and I was plagued with rust dust.

I can not get a new tank.

I took the tank off and washed it out with soap and water and 9 foot 1/4 link chain , dried it in the sun and poured in another mix of polyester resin without a thinner, ie acetone.

I used the chain again as a kind of paint brush to get it everywhere.

This morning the residue of the mix pot was the same,--tacky to touch !!!!

I used petrol on the residue and again slime came off ---BUT--- after the initial slime was hard resin, I hit it the residue with a hammer and it is hard glass.

I read some where that resin leaves a slime on the surface and has to be washed off before further application.

Ive just filled and faired the tank and painted it with petrol resistant lacquer so I shall wash the tank inside with petrol and the chain and hope for the best.

I use small disposable in line filters so I shall probably carry a few.

It would seem that both application as different as they were had a similar drying process. I wonder if the lack of air or oxygen in the confined space had anything to do with it

[SamSam]

I wonder about the chain making a spark and setting off the gasoline.

[Boston]

ok then burn it out
light the bastad on fire and burn off the resin
once its completely done let it cool off and use some muratic acid in short doses to clean up the metal, then try something that works

my two cents
and best of luck
B