DYI Striping of leaking fuel tanks

[jetpilot12]

Hello,

 

I own a 1963 M20C and the tanks are just starting to leak. I'm an A&P and have done a little research on how to strip the

fuel tanks using a chemical stripper. The problem I'm having is the selling price of the stripper. It is only sold by the case.

I'm looking for anyone that would like to buy 1/4 of the stripper. The selling price will be $150 plus shipping.

If you are interested please send me an email or give me a call.

 

Thank you,

Jon Martin

337-739-3385

marfly3@bellsouth.net

  

[orionflt]

John, ill pm you later but I'm interested.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MooneyPTG]

Don maxwell has a great article for fixing tanks

http://www.donmaxwell.com/publications/MAPA_TEXT/_overlay/Fuel%20Tank%20Repair_How%20We%20Fix%20Them%202-05.htm

[Lood]

@jetpilot12, which stripper are you referring to? I did one tank last year, experimenting with various strippers and in the end, we ended up removing almost 90% of the sealant by hand. Most of the strippers did not work at all, or made such a mess, which created more work, as a result.

Whichever way, it is one helluva job which will certainly increase your vocabulary.

[jetpilot12]

I'm going to use the PPG Eldorado SR-125 Sealant remover. I called FlameMaster, the maker of the tank sealant and this is what product they recommended.  

The technical data is on the PPG website. It is only sold in a 4 gallon case. The cost per case is $400 plus shipping. The cleaner (ED-500) is $110 plus shipping.

The Tech with PPG told me the sealant can be removed with a plastic scraper once it's treated with SR-125. The cleaner is used to remove the residue from the stripper. 

[Sabremech]

Hi Jon,

 Another product you might look at for stripping sealant is Polygone by RPM Technologies. I think you'll find the cost subsatantially less and you don't have to buy a case. I've used it before and it works fairly well. My issue is that I did a tank repair in the winter and the hangar was cooler than what is recommended for using the product.

 David

[jetdriven]

RPM technologies says to score the sealer in a Mooney before applying the polygone, because it's a topcoat made of Buna-N rubber. It's on their website. . Then strip with polygone. I'm about to try some on the PRC next month when I swap out my windshield.

[jetpilot12]

I would like to stay with products that are recommended by the manufacture. Sometimes cheaper isn't the way to go.

The tech that I spoke with from Flamemaster was very clear that PPG stripper was the easiest was to remove their sealer.

I'm will to listen to anyone that has first hand experience from using both products.     

[Sabremech]

 I've used Polygone with very good success. I didn't mean to imply that it was "cheap" in how it performs it's intended function. Just that it costs less to purchase.

 Choose what you think is the best and let us know how it works.

 David

[merrja]

I had an A&P buddy with an e model that did all hisown work... the only job that he never finished was sraping his tanks.... After 3 days he decided it was almost impossible and purchased bladders

[Cruiser]

I believe the professionals use a circulating system with spray heads in the tank. Turn it on and walk away for a few hours. 

From the look of their finished job, it has to completely remove all the sealant, no scraping involved...........

 

but what do I know, 

[HRM]

I believe the professionals use a circulating system with spray heads in the tank. Turn it on and walk away for a few hours. 

From the look of their finished job, it has to completely remove all the sealant, no scraping involved...........

 

but what do I know, 

 

I believe that may be the "Weep-no-more" system. Looking at photos after it is done show a tank that looks like the day it was made. 

 

When you think about the cost and hazard of the chemicals, including the new sealers, then the labor, flying the plane to MN makes perfect sense.

[mike_elliott]

I believe that may be the "Weep-no-more" system. Looking at photos after it is done show a tank that looks like the day it was made. 

 

When you think about the cost and hazard of the chemicals, including the new sealers, then the labor, flying the plane to MN makes perfect sense.

 

It will be done right, once and for all if you let Paul Beck have at it. Mention Mooney Summit for a discount from Paul if you go that way.

[Tmarsha]

Does anyone know where I can get my tanks resealed closer to Arizona ? Tks  Tom