Cleaning outside of fuel tank

[Sonex1517]

What have people successfully used to clean fuel stains off the exterior of the Sonex fuel tank?

[peter anson]

Hi Robbie, gotta admit this one is way down on my priority list. WC Fields used to recommend goose grease.

Peter

[Sonex1517]

Hi Robbie, gotta admit this one is way down on my priority list. WC Fields used to recommend goose grease.

Peter

Um. Thanks. I actually need to do this to try to seal a leak, but....thank you.

[sonex892.]

Try buffing it off with warm soapy water and a microfibre towel. Or if Eucalyptus oil is available in the states its always worth a try before attempting solvents.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all, robbie,
Where is the leak? A fitting being used or the side fitting like ours that just had a plug in it. We used a special glue made by locktite that is for the type of plastic that the tanks are made out of. You can find it at home depot, lowes, ace, true value etc. . I think its called a plastic bonding kit. A tube like super glue and a special primer stick . We used a rubber washer /metal washer, then the plug. Had to drain the tank of course. I think we wiped the area with acetone, then applied the primer then glue. Its held up a couple years now. Was weeping very little. A piece of white paper towel on floor maybe one or two drops over nite. A little blue stain running down side of tank from 100LL. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Fly safe everyone.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[peter anson]

Michael's Loctite super glue sounds good. I also have some Loctite 406 which is supposed to work for "difficult to bond materials". Might be the same stuff but must admit I haven't tried it on the fuel tank. I did have a leak in my fuel tank from the fuel level sensor fitting; left a nasty stain too. I successfully sealed it with PR1422 fuel tank sealant. PR1422 is a sulphide curing rubber similar to Pro-Seal that is sold by Aircraft Spruce. I can't recall doing any special preparation and it seems to stick well, but having fixed the leak I wasn't tempted to mess with it. Scuffing up the area sounds like a good idea though.

Peter

[Sonex1517]

Thank you! This is exactly the situation I have - the top fitting at the back of the tank is apparently leaking slightly. The washer method sounds good to try - it's up behind the panel in that oh-so-fun area we all love to work in....