How To Get Rust Out Of Air Compressor Tank

If you have an air compressor in your home, garage, or workshop, you’ve probably noticed a brownish-red rust-like substance forming on the tank. This is a common problem with most air compressors because they are exposed to moisture and humidity on a regular basis.

Fortunately, there are several ways to remove rust from your air compressor tank so that it won’t continue to spread to other surfaces and equipment. These methods will help you get rid of that annoying rust once and for all!

Use kerosene to dissolve the rust.

Kerosene is a solvent that has the ability to dissolve rust. Pour the kerosene into a plastic or metal container with a lid, and place the air compressor tank inside. Leave the tank in the container for at least 48 hours, and come back to check on it every once in a while. Check the tank periodically to see if the rust has completely dissolved and washed away from the surface of the tank. After the rust has been removed, clean the tank thoroughly to remove any traces of kerosene.

With Dry Ice

The dry ice cleaning method is a great way to get rid of rust and the smell that comes with it. Buy a chunk of dry ice and place it in a thick plastic bag. Place the bagged dry ice in the tank and seal the lid. The dry ice will sublimate into carbon dioxide gas and take the rust with it. The carbon dioxide will escape through the lid of the tank. It is important that you only use dry ice in a plastic bag or container to avoid injury from the dry ice’s extremely cold temperature. The dry ice will take about 5–8 hours to remove the rust from the tank. Make sure to check on it periodically. After the rust has been cleaned off, clean the tank thoroughly with water and mild detergent to remove any traces of carbon dioxide.

Utilize a de-rusting metal soak

If you don’t have any kerosene or dry ice on hand, try a metal de-rusting soak. Mix one part salt with four parts water in a plastic or metal container with a lid. Place the air compressor tank inside and leave it there for at least 48 hours, checking on it periodically. The salt water solution will dissolve the rust and leave the tank looking good as new. Clean the tank thoroughly after the rust has been removed to avoid leaving any traces of salt behind.

Use vinegar

Vinegar has many uses, and removing rust is one of them! Pour vinegar into a plastic or metal container with a lid, and place the air compressor tank inside. Leave the tank in the container for at least 48 hours, checking on it periodically. Once the rust has dissolved from the tank’s surface, clean the tank thoroughly to remove any traces of vinegar.

Conclusion

While rust can be an annoyance, it is important to keep in mind that it’s a natural process. It is caused by oxidation and the reaction of iron with oxygen in the air. The methods above will help you get rid of the rust from your tank and make it look good as new again. Now that you know how to get rust out of your air compressor tank, you can say goodbye to this pesky problem once and for all!

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