I thought I just saw this question somewhere else.

I put about 50, 1/4" hex nuts inside mine and just started shaking it in every direction and blew out the dust. Worked for me.

Thanks for the reply. I will pull the tank and give it a try. The tank has a screen on the pickup tube and I installed an inline fuel filter. The tractor runs normally but it sure looks nasty in the tank.

Ray

Use care if there is an internal screen

There's a product I remember from my motorcycle days, essentially a coating you apply to the interior surface. It's a liquid, you pour it into the (rust-cleaned) tank then swirl it all around to get all surfaces coated, and then cures/dries like paint. Don't remember the name or even if it's still made, but check a motorbike shop or forum they may know of it.

Its Red-Kote furl tank liner www.DamonQ.com use a piece chain in tank there reck.

Thanks, Gator Rider for the tip regarding RED KOTE. Their site states that it is sold at O'Reillys auto parts. I will coat the interior of the tank before reinstalling.

Ray

My husband uses a product that will make the inside of your tank look like new! It's called Rusteco (not sure about the spelling). It's rather expensive but it is very eco friendly and really works. You can use it over and over so if you need to soak some rusty tools, etc. it brings the cost down. Just fill the tank and let it set for a day or two. It will look like new inside. Do a google for it.

O'Reillys has that at 28 dollars a gallon I use on old gas caps and pour back in jug all but settlement in bottom. I learn longtime ago that old metal gas tanks on twocycle engine never had rust so I add 4 or 5 drops mixing oil to metal gas tank on 4 cycle engine to prevent moisture from getting to metal it don't effect engine that small amount but coats metal over winter when tank pull in more moisturer. keeping full gas tank action gas blow the moisture away out vent.

I just spray carb. cleaner in it and use the pressure washer. they rise with gas or alcohol.

Thanks to all who responded to this message. I used hex nuts to remove the loose rust, then used spray carb cleaner to remove any fuel residue and then applied Red Kote. I also replaced the fuel line and filter and am back in business.
Spray carb cleaner will remove any Red Kote residue.

Ray