Tank Leaks / Repair --- "Microseal" --anyone hear of it?

[RonRelyea]

I've posted questions in another post about my leaking fresh water tank, but would like to post this question separately to reach other forumites ...

Has anyone heard of or used "Microseal" ? from their website: " Microsealconsists of resins in a ketone solution and is used to seal porosity in all metals. It can be dipped, brushed or sprayed on to penetrate the pores. The solvent then evaporates leaving the pores sealed with resins." and "Our sealants are used by manufacturers of (and by people servicing) the following products: ... Boat and Marina Owners (salvaging metal water & diesel tanks)" Site says it is FDA approved for water tanks too.

Here's the web url: http://www.microleak.com/brochnew.htm#MDS

Sounds too good to be true ...

 

[KD3PC]

not used this particular product, but in the real world these sealers seldom perform. Note the desire to heat the entire object to 115 degrees. that will be all but impossible on the boat - and where the temp changes you have no idea how the product adheres, or doesn't. You also need some way to coat the entire tank which either means pressure bagging, 360 degree rotation, internal spraying or something to get the product to the entire internal/baffled surfaces of the tank.

In a a manufacturer environment, or on small stable objects it may work as they indicate. But you will not have that option.

I have never had any product hold up in sealing a tank larger than a 3 gallon motorcycle gas tank, for more than a few months. The tank flexes, vibrates, and the bad spot continues to get worse, just now it is coated...and the leak changes direction.

YMMV, but for sure it is too good to be true for your tank. Just replace it with a new one. One more aside, and I am not an enviro nut...do you really want to drink something that came from a tank that requires an MSD

 

[kloudie1]

KD3PC.. remember that the dreaded di-hydrogen oxide is quite toxic too. ;~)
Ron, again, ya gotta know if the corrosion originates from outside or inside.. if outside, like poultice corrosion, no amount of inside sealing will stop it. Note that they recommend coating inside and out for best performance.. My thoughts are that if I could know that the corrosion is originating inside and I had a big access hole.. maybe 8" .. I might attempt a brush-on inside only application for the $100 that it will cost. I have not used this exact product, but have used similar stuff on big oil and chemical tanks.. like those big round things ya see around oil refineries. Mostly, we had good results.. but the prep work is critical and ya really need to know the details of the corrosion mechanism.

 

[Rick]

How hard would it be to just remove the tank and replace it with a new plastic one.

Then your time spent trying to patch the old tank is not waisted.

This place has an infinite supply of sizes etc, and has been used by many owners here, including myself.

http://www.ronco-plastics.com/

 

[ggrizzard]

Replace it!

Amen Rick. I did and it was quick and easy. Cost was reasonable and I don't worry about the leak ruining the NEW cabin teak and holly sole.