How Do You Repair A Plastic Gas Line That Was A Classic Is It

Download Article

Plastic gas tanks are in loftier demand in the world of motorcycle racing and ATV enthusiasts. A plastic gas tank can counterbalance less than half of a comparable metal gas tank and information technology is easy to mold into shapes to fit odd configurations. Seamless gas tanks seldom leak and are impervious to the rust and corrosion that affect metal tanks. If a plastic fuel tank does sustain modest holes or tears, there are several fairly piece of cake ways to make the repair.

ane

Drain the gasoline from the tank and allow it to dry. Sand the expanse effectually the hole or crack, and clean the surface area with a shop cloth saturated with rubbing booze.^[1]
2

Mix the 2 function epoxy together and employ all effectually the perimeter of the opening. ^[ii] Cut a fiberglass patch large enough to embrace the opening and overlap it.

Advertisement
three

Place the fiberglass patch over the hole and printing into the epoxy. Utilise more epoxy to the patch and surrounding area, pressing firmly to saturate the patch.
4

Allow to dry out, sand the patched area smooth and spray paint with a plastic pigment if desired.

Advertisement

one

Buy or rent a plastic welder. Tell the salesperson what y'all are doing with it to ensure that you lot get the correct rods.
ii

Remove the plastic gas tank from the vehicle, and set it up in a secure welding expanse. Bleed the gasoline from the tank, and allow information technology to dry both inside and outside. Don protective heart gear, a welding helmet and welding gloves.
three

Use a plastic welding rod made peculiarly for this purpose, and make full in the cleft or pigsty. Start at an edge and run the bead completely around the opening. Then begin crossing over the hole, allowing the rod to fill up in the pigsty completely.^[3]
4

Allow the weld to set up, sand it smooth and, if desired, pigment it with plastic spray paint.
v

Replace the repaired plastic fuel tank on the vehicle.

Advertisement

i

Drain the gas tank, and make clean it inside and out with soapy water. ^[4] Lightly sand the perimeter of the area to be repaired.
two

Cut a plastic patch, made of a similar material to the gas tank, slightly larger than the hole to be repaired.
three

Heat upward an electrical soldering gun, and drag it around the edge of the scissure to create a trench. Move the gun from side to side to button the plastic back into the trench. While the plastic is withal soft from the soldering, lay the plastic patch over the expanse. Continue moving the soldering gun over the surface area to polish the plastic, and fuse them together.^[5]
4

Allow to absurd and dry out completely. Mix a 2 part epoxy glue, and cover the entire area of the patch.^[6] Allow to fix up, sand and spray on a coat of plastic paint if desired.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

Is Flex Seal gasoline resistant?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accurateness and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

According to the manufacturer's website, Flex Seal is not a good choice for sealing gasoline tanks. Information technology's non fabricated to withstand a lot of heat or pressure, and information technology'southward not recommended for use with flammable liquids, such as gasoline.
Question

How practise you fix a plastic gas tank on a lawnmower?

This answer was written past i of our trained squad of researchers who validated information technology for accurateness and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

A fiberglass repair patch volition work well for this job. Bleed the tank and let information technology dry completely first, and don't forget to sand the expanse around the leak or hole so that the adhesive compound can attach properly.
Question

Will Teflon tape seal in gasoline?

This answer was written by i of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

No, the gasoline will eventually break down the tape. If y'all want a quick and easy fix, a fiberglass patch is a better option.
Question

Tin I use JB Weld on a gas tank?

This answer was written by 1 of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Reply

J-B Weld can be used for a temporary wet repair to a gas tank. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and be certain to treat this as a temporary set up before replacing your gas tank, as information technology'due south only a brusk-term patch-upwards solution.
Question

Is J-B plastic weld gas resistant?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Co-ordinate to the manufacturer'south website, "When fully cured, J-B Weld is completely resistant to water, gasoline, and nigh every other petroleum product or automotive chemical."
Question

What type of plastic is used in fuel tanks?

This respond was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated information technology for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The primary blazon of plastic used in fuel tanks is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and this shaped past a procedure known as "blow molding" (Wikipedia). Other plastics that may be present in fuel tanks include: Polypropylene (PP), regrind plastic (recycled polyethylene) and mayhap plastic adhesives.
Question

How do you lot fix a leak in a gas tank?

This answer was written past one of our trained team of researchers who validated information technology for accurateness and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Information technology is recommended that you follow the steps higher up, which explicate how to seal small holes and tears. If the hole or tear is large, it is likely across repair and will need to be replaced.
Question

Tin a seam in a lawnmower'south plastic fuel tank be repaired using a hot glue gun?

Probably not. The best mode to repair is a plastic welder with a plastic rod that matches the plastic of the tank.
Question

Tin I seal a plastic gas tank with cobweb glass?

Yes. Use a product called Tiger Paste, which is fiberglass and resin all in one. The tank MUST be clean of all dirt, grease and oil. Seal the entire tank except for filler and any vent pipes, or pick up tube openings.
Question

What grit of sandpaper should I apply to sand a plastic fuel tank?

You lot should use 80 or 100 grit sandpaper. lx grit will work, as well. The idea is to scuff the area, so that the epoxy will have a stronger bond.

See more answers

Enquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Using epoxy glue is the easiest way to seal a plastic fuel tank, simply it sometimes fails afterward a brusque time.
If using a plastic welder for the first time, practice earlier attempting to seal the plastic gas tank. The rental store should be able to piece of work with you to ensure that yous accept no problems.

A plastic welder is safety around gasoline and gasoline fumes, every bit it has a very loftier flash point. Notwithstanding, use common sense and do not use near open up flames.

Things Y'all'll Need

Plastic patches
2 part epoxy glue
Fiberglass patch
Sandpaper
Store cloth
Rubbing alcohol
Plastic spray pigment
Plastic welder
Welding rods
Welding helmet
Welding gloves
Eye protection
Soldering gun

About This Article

Commodity Summary X

To seal a plastic gas tank with epoxy mucilage, start by draining the tank and letting information technology dry. And then, sand the expanse around the hole or crack with coarse grit sandpaper, and make clean it with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. Next, mix the epoxy gum, apply it over the opening, and press a fiberglass patch over the epoxy. Allow the epoxy dry out, then shine out any bumps or unevenness with sandpaper, and spray paint with plastic pigment if desired. To learn more, including how to seal a plastic gas tank with a plastic welder or soldering gun, curl downward.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 396,827 times.