What to clean an aluminum tank?

[steved]

Bought an aluminum fuel tank today. Its most likely a tank from/for a boat, just by what I have seen others like this fit. At 56 gallons, it will be about 2. 5 times what my current cell holds.



Not sure what it was used previously for, but it has a vague hint of old gas (varnish). I thought about pontoon boat cleaner, but my father said that sometimes leaves a powder residue. Another thought (or two) i had was some automatic dishwasher powder mixed with water or some POR marine clean, or maybe a shot of something like muratic acid.



Short of taking it to a radiator shop and having it rodded out, what are my options for a DIY tank cleaner?

 

[Hoefler]

Use mineral spirits. Any residual left over won't hurt anything.

 

[Bob4x4]

NOT muriatic acid! It eats aluminum

 

[Skydiver]

Back in 1993 I worked as a part time mechanic at a heavy truck shop. The truckers were then using acid to clean their fuel tanks. I made plenty of money trouble shooting electrical problems from corrosion due to the acid attacking the wiring connectors.
Acid is blind. It eats copper and brass.

 

[GaryOwen]

I would probably try some spray on carburetor cleaner. Use the whole can, slosh around and dump out. Might follow with mineral spirits as Hoefler suggested.

 

[steved]

Thanks all!

 

[fest3er]

#2 oil is a very good solvent and will probably dissolve all the varnish and such in your tank.

 

[steved]

While it might be a good solvent, I'd rather not have that "stuff" in my fuel system!