When you have a small crack in your gas tank, you might be able to save money and perform the repair yourself with a few simple steps. The higher the crack is, the easier it is to repair it on your own, but almost any damage can be repaired easily enough. You won’t require a lot of supplies to perform this repair – simply a gas tank sealer kit and a few tools – and you should be able to repair any crack quickly.
Safety
Before you can perform a repair, you should ensure you are taking the proper precautions. First and foremost, you should empty the car of all gas or at least below the crack. Once you have rid your car of the required gas, it is important to let it completely cool and dry before trying to work on it. If there is even the smallest amount of heat left in the car, you could cause a fire while working on the gas tank. It is important to remember, however, that if you are performing this task in the cold, winter climate, you need a heater near you to ensure the exterior of the tank is not so cold the gas tank sealer will not adhere.
Clean
Before you seal the tank, you need to ensure its cleanliness for the seal to take properly. There is typically a cleaner included in your sealer kit that you should use before anything else to rid the surface of rust, as well as ready the surface to accept the sealer you are about to apply. If the rust damage is severe, you should let the tank sit with the cleaner for a while to ensure all the rust is dissolved.
Apply Sealer
Next, you need to seal the inside and outside of the tank. It is typically best to take care of the outside first and then pour the chemicals into the inside, taking care to coat the entire interior with the sealant for maximum results.
When you have finished applying the gas tank sealer, you need to let it sit for at least 48 hours to allow the excess to drain and the entire surface to dry. It is not a difficult process to repair your gas tank from small cracks or damage from rust; it simply takes a few steps and a little patience to ensure it is done properly.
