... the last time I cleaned my 45 gal alum tank was 6 years ago, time to do it again. I have an 8" inspection lid over the deepest part of the tank, I can't remember if there are baffle(s) in there or not. When I did it last, it was fairly clean, and pretty empty, I just pumped the fuel into 2 jerries to empty the tank and gave that to a truck driver. I used an old broom handle with t-shirts & rags wrapped around a brush, and I think either mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, maybe it was acetone ... whatever it was worked well. Anyhow I mopped up what there was for sludge in the bottom, then wiped down all the surfaces pretty well, then mopped up the bottom again until it was clean & dry. The tank looked new when I was done.

Now I have 45 gallons of fuel. I guess I could run around an borrow 8 more jerries. What I'd really like to do it to have (2) 50 gallon drums or containers on the dock, pump one full through a Racor 500, then pump that into the next tank through the same Racor, then back to the other drum ... do this a few times through the Racor. But where does one fine a couple clean 25 or 50 gal drums ... to borrow ?

And what solvents are best to use to scrub & clean the tank ?

I've also heard of steam cleaning the tank, or using some kind of chemical / degreaser or acid wash to clean it ... but last time the thinner worked fine.

Anyone done this recently and can offer tips on the method / system (short of hiring a tank cleaner who will charge me $400 and do half as good a job) and what did you use for containers and cleaning agent ?

Thanks, cheers, John