The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Thanks to the generosity of Ian I have a replacement tank. It needs a clean up with the wire wheel and a lick of paint, but looks to be pretty clean on the inside.



Thanks Ian.

I must say that this is the most helpful and inclusive car club / forum that I have been a member of. I have received free parts from members on two occasions now, plus the forum is friendly and full of great advice and information.
Thanks to all for that, keep up the good work!

I think i would be a bit carefull with a rotary wire brush Bish. I would use an ordinary wire brush and the coat the tank with Dynax S50. A bit messy but it will stop any rust on the tank and prevent further rusting. What do others think?

Tony.

I agree with Tony, however sound the tank may appear, i'd be very wary of using anything too brutal to clean it! Someone I know sent 3 tanks to another member to have them all destroyed by that persons over zealous "cleaning" methods!

Steve

Ok Gents, point taken. I will be careful! I will manually wire brush it off and use a couple of coats of smooth Hammerite - mainly because I already have a litre tin waiting for a job. The underside of the tank, and boot floor where the tank sits, will then get a coat of ankor wax for good measure.

The trouble with paint Bish, is that the rust will carry on underneath Hence the use of an anti rust wax will stop it dead. It is your car of course, this is only what i would do to my car as tanks are rare and a new one very expensive

Tony.

I would also do my best to remove the rust. If you don't fancy mechanical removal use a rust removal gel. When you've done as much cleaning as you dare, I would use a phosphoric acid based rust preventer, then a high zinc content primer, then several coats of paint.


[url=https://flic.kr/p/nTQqKN]

That was done in 2014, offered the old tank on here for free, but it went to the skip eventually. It wasn't leaking but didn't look pretty. Times change, parts get harder to find.
I paid £10 for that tank and travelled to Alnwick for it.

I know what you mean about parts going in the skip, a tank no matter how rare is a large item to store. I know of one person who needs a tank but wont travel, say's he will wait till one comes up local

Tony.

Good advice all, thanks.

Well, I cleaned the tank up gently with a wire brush, and still found a few pin holes. The holes are on the top of the tank where water must have been trapped under the insulation material. The bottom of the tank appears to be sound.
I have decided to stop mucking about, and have given the tank over to my local radiator repair man. He is going to clean it up and repair it for me. I will then treat any remaining rusty areas before splashing on a couple of coats of paint.

I left my knackered tank out for the scrap man yesterday morning with a load of other metal bits and pieces Maybe I shouldn’t of, but I’m sure it was beyond repair, and I just don’t have the space to hoard stuff. Round these parts if you leave any metal out on the driveway it’s gone before you can change your mind!

Round these parts if you leave any metal out on the driveway it’s gone before you can change your mind!
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I hope you dont mean cars as well

Tony.

dollyman wrote: ↑Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:51 am Round these parts if you leave any metal out on the driveway it’s gone before you can change your mind!

I hope you dont mean cars as well

Tony.
[/quote]

No guaranties of that not happening unfortunately!

I’m having a bit of trouble with fitting the chrome trim around the rear panel - the bit that wraps around the rear lights. I just can’t get it to stay on the lip around the curved section. I’ve tried new clips and it just popped back off after a few mins. I tried the old clips and it just popped back off after a few mins. Any tips from anyone would be appreciated! Maybe I will try closing the trim a bit with pliers to make it tighter?

Hi Bish, i think that will work, maybe give the trim a squeeze whilst it is on the clip? Annoying when a trim does that

Tony.

Bish wrote: ↑Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:49 pm

dollyman wrote: ↑Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:51 am Round these parts if you leave any metal out on the driveway it’s gone before you can change your mind!

I hope you dont mean cars as well

Tony.

No guaranties of that not happening unfortunately!

I’m having a bit of trouble with fitting the chrome trim around the rear panel - the bit that wraps around the rear lights. I just can’t get it to stay on the lip around the curved section. I’ve tried new clips and it just popped back off after a few mins. I tried the old clips and it just popped back off after a few mins. Any tips from anyone would be appreciated! Maybe I will try closing the trim a bit with pliers to make it tighter?
[/quote]

Does the clip stay in place or do both pop off, be careful closing the trim as once you done it, it can be hard to get it back without distorting it, if required.

Have you tried putting 2 clips side by side for extra grip.

Thanks Gents. I have tried as many clips as it’s possible to fit in the trim, but still no joy. No worries, it won’t defeat me, I just wondered if there were any tips from people who’ve done it before. I will try giving the trim a gentle squeeze and report back.......

If the trim is distorted it will pop off. Worth trying another trim, they are not hard to come by.

Steve