removing varnish buildup metal fuel tank

a few years ago I bought a 93 Nissan 18hp, an elderly man had won it in a raffle,,,he filled the tank ran it less then 10 minutes then put it up for 16 or 17 years , anyway, when I got the tank and motor I put that tank to the side, but now on a different setup I'm wanting a backup tank, but this mint shape tank has a varnish coating over the entire inside, my question is there something I can put in it that will remove the varnish from the inside, metal tank of course,,,, must be something I can get in the U.S.A. :idea:

 

Try Seafoam. http://www.ehow.com/how_7832052_use-seafoam-gas-tank.html

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_8274479_seafoam-instructions.html

Welcome, by the way.

 

Yes, Seafoam, and put the tank in the boat for about a year before using it, or it can ride around in the back of your truck for a few months. There are also strong solvents that will work a bit faster, but they are nasty. MEK is one. I resuscitated an old motorbike with Seafoam. It had sat for six years. Rode it easy every day, reworked the carbs every night - for three months. Finally, the last bit of junk came out, so I took the bike out on the interstate and blew the motor. I have a Honda 1100 Shadow in pieces if anyone is interested. I've also seen a Racor 120 gph system hung on a ten hp outboard 2 micron oughta do it.

 

thanks, i'll use it, and thanks for the welcome, this site is very helpful...

 

I you dont have a year , I would spray (empty a can ) of brake cleaner and slosh for 10 15 min.

After that , should anything be left lacquer thinner , overnight should get any remaining gunk.

A small inline filter in the system would help for the first few fills, just in case.

 

thank you fred, I pray I got many years left, lol,
but yes I'd love it way quicker, the thinner I'd thought about, but the braker cleaner then the thinner sounds like a great ideal, I was a carpenter most all my life so I just happen to have a few gallons of lacquer laying around,