Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

RichP · Post by **RichP** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 12:02 pm

Hi Has anyone got any tips for removing oil residue from an aluminium tank? I've bought a second hand bash plate that has got an integrated water tank but the previous owner used it for storing oil. I'd like to keep water in there but not sure how to get rid of the oil that's in there. Ideally I want to be able to use the water for cooking and/or drinking. Cheers Rich

zimtim · Post by **zimtim** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:49 pm

Fairy

RichP · Post by **RichP** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 3:09 pm

zimtim wrote: ↑Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:49 pmFairy

I have swilled it out with thinners and then washed it out with Fairy but there is still a pretty awful taste if you fill it with tap water. I was going to give something like Milton Fluid a try but not sure if I'm wasting time,effort and money.

bill_qaz · Post by **bill_qaz** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 3:51 pm

Try a strong solution of non bio washing powder in hot water, used to use it to clear oil out of intercoolers, very effective. Then rise with plenty of water.

bowber · Post by **bowber** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 4:54 pm

The Milton might help and it doesn't cost much.

Steve

RichP · Post by **RichP** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 5:18 pm

Thanks for all the tips.

Benson-1215 · Post by **Benson-1215** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 5:55 pm

Put salt in it and shake it about and leave for 24 hours add half a cup of water and shake again and leave fill completly with water and leave another 24 hours flush out then let it dry and let the oxidation happen.
coke can also work ( the sugary harmful drink not the white powder one

)

zimtim · Post by **zimtim** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 5:58 pm

I was watching one of those restoration programs and they had a wooden table that somebody had rebuilt an engine on many years previous. So it was pretty badly ingrained with engine oil.
His remedy for getting rid of the stain was to pour methylated spirits on it and light it.
The flame was hot enough to draw out and burn the oil but as it only burnt on the surface of the wood it didn't do any damage to the table top.

Perhaps something similar would work for you.

I would probably refrain from using petrol though

DavidS · Post by **DavidS** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 7:58 pm

Professional steam cleaning?

But I’m not sure I would ever want to drink water from it knowing what has been in there before....or not knowing what else might have been in there before.

herman · Post by **herman** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:03 pm

Would one of those petrol tank sealants work? The kind that coats the inside of the tank and seals the rust and crap in.

Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank

Re: Removing oil residue from aluminium tank