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Corrosion on fuel tank ribs

J

Jb3572

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I bought my kit from another builder who opened and inventoried his wing kit but didn’t build. He then used painters tape to keep similar parts together.

This is what leads me to my current problem. Several of the fuel ribs have some surface corrosion from the tape. Normally I would clean it up and primer it, but of course that’s not an option for these parts.
This leads me to at least 3 options:
A. Replace the parts
B. Clean and protect some other way (alodine?)
C. Ignore and build on since it’ll be covered by fuel

What do the experts here think? Or is there another option that is beyond my knowledge/skill level? I’m leaning towards the first option, but if I don’t have to spend the money, I’d rather not.
ThanksIMG_3156.jpegIMG_3155.jpeg
 
First, are you sure that's corrosion? Have the ribs been cleaned thoroughly? That looks suspiciously like tape residue.

Make sure that it is indeed corrosion before you do anything else.
 
For that little bit, I’d take it off with some maroon scotchbrite and build on. It’ll eventually be submerged in fuel anyway. You will inevitably get some corrosion on parts. If you’re concerned about it, just shoot an email and pic to vans support.
 
Lot's of good advice/recommendations here. I would suggest you first follow Mel's recommendation to determine whether it is residue or corrosion. A bit of acetone, MEK, or even 100LL will clean it up if it is tape residue. Either way, the rib(s) can be "saved". Good luck.
 
Dean Pichon said:
Lot's of good advice/recommendations here. I would suggest you first follow Mel's recommendation to determine whether it is residue or corrosion. A bit of acetone, MEK, or even 100LL will clean it up if it is tape residue. Either way, the rib(s) can be "saved". Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dean, I should have mentioned in my earlier response that I did try to clean it first. Acetone first and when that didn’t work I upped it to MEK. Unfortunately whatever adhesive used on blue painters tape left its mark on the metal.
Good news is that some maroon scotch brite and elbow grease cleaned it up.
 
Jb3572 said:
Thanks Dean, I should have mentioned in my earlier response that I did try to clean it first. Acetone first and when that didn’t work I upped it to MEK. Unfortunately whatever adhesive used on blue painters tape left its mark on the metal.
Good news is that some maroon scotch brite and elbow grease cleaned it up.
Click to expand...
That doesn’t look like tape residue.. It is pretty classic looking corrosion that form under impermeable barriers. They trap moisture.
 
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