Fuel tank cleaning products for varnish (not for rust)

Hey guys, I am trying to locate a good slime remover for a fuel tank. I have one varnished up pretty good. No rust as i can see but nasty varnish. What's the best thing to use on it? I would prefer products available at the local hardware store...Thanks.

If rust is not the issue, how about carb cleaner or seafoam? Maybe a bottle brush or something similar to agitate & scrub.

Be careful if you use a carb dip like Berrymans, it WILL remove the paint. DAMHIKT

well guys, paint removal isn't an issue either...it's bare metal already. I thought of Berryman's but nobody around here keeps it in stock it seems. It's special order. Any ideas about paint stippers or anything of the kind?

acetone?

I'd try a tank of fuel and let it sit a few days to a week. Use for 2-stroke lawnmower when done. If the gasoline wont take it off, it's not gonna be a problem :-0
-Duck

If you have varnished fuel in the tank and don't have a problem with paint being messed up, go to ANY autoparts store and buy whatever brand of carb cleaner in a gallon bucket they sell. Put in a gallon of this stuff and top the tank off with gas and let it sit for 24 hours. The Berrymans stuff is the strongest but GUNK brand will also work fine as will the NAPA carb cleaner. The NAPA stuff is almost as strong as Berrymans but I don't use it for carb cleaning as it leaves an oily residue which wouldn't matter for the purpose of cleaning out the tank. I don't think gas by itself would have a lot of effect if the varnish is set up by age.

Thanks for the relpies guys...I actually used a gel paint and varnish remover...followed by a rinse of laquer thinner...followed by a little rust remover (found some rust under the varnish) followed by some fresh gas...came out clean and ready to go. The sludge that came out was NASTY:dry:

Do not use carb dip for anything other than dipping. It's really NASTY health wise. That layer of oil in the can is there to protect the user!!!

Duck, the carb dip is nasty but PLEASE read the label on some laquer thinner before deciding dip is the nastiest bully on the block. Laquer thinner is perhaps the nastiest chemical I own and I always use gloves and FULL respirator when using that stuff... It has all the bad stuff that carb dip has plus bonus killers hehe

wiredgeorge wrote:

Duck, the carb dip is nasty but PLEASE read the label on some laquer thinner before deciding dip is the nastiest bully on the block. Laquer thinner is perhaps the nastiest chemical I own and I always use gloves and FULL respirator when using that stuff... It has all the bad stuff that carb dip has plus bonus killers hehe

That's exactly why i used it (laquer thinner) It was used outdoors with good ventilation and all the proper precautions.