Removing foam from around tank

[cc lancer]

There has got to be a quicker way to remove foam from around a gas tank than what I am doing.<br /><br />I made a 3" chisel and with a hammer and Iam taking it out a chunk at a time, from around the tank. I am trying not to scratch the tank, what have you guys used?

 

[cowboyup]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

I took two 100 gallon tanks out this summer. I tried a long flat nosed screwdriver, prybar, aceotone, chisel, paint scraper, utility knife, claw hammer and a whole lotta curse words. Heck, i even had time to make up some new ones. Chunk by chunk, piece by piece. Think of it as divide and conquer, divide and conquer. Mini battles and victories. It's almost therapeutic. I just put one tank back in this weekend. No, no it didn't take me 6 months to get it out...this rig had other issues. Anyway, wanna guess what didn't go back in the space around the tank? Good luck my friend. And if you can find an easier way, let us know.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

3-inch wire brush (cup) in an electric drill. Takes the foam out in no time. Have the shop vac handy, you’ll need it. I used a brass brush and it bounced off the fiberglass hull without doing any damage. Ate the foam, tho.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

I have to Agree with the Rabbit...........<br /><br />I've also used a Spade Bit,It'll turn it into Small Chunks, instead of Dust, but the Wirebrush works Much Better..... <br />And, it's Safer around things that can Break or get Scratched..........

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

I made it a contest for my kid, and nephew, whoever got out the biggest chunk won a prize in the end we all went bowling

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

Kids...the ultimate cheap labor!<br /><br />I have my 16 year old step daughter taking out her teenage angst and frustrations out on pieces of cement walkway that needs to be "reduced" with a 8# sledge <br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

JustMrWill:<br />Please tell us your secret....threats,....... promises,.....money,....shopping spree. Inquiring fathers want to know.<br /><br />>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>><br />Bondo:<br />Since your are an inventor, what about welding a blade onto an air chisel? I tried the cup brush today, and it is definitely messy.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

It was actually very easy. She wanted a punching bag to "let out some of her frustrations" (school, guys, friends ... all the things we thought were sooooo important). I handed her the safety goggles and the sledge hammer and pointed. A few days later I came home and she was out back smashing away. Asked and she had a bad day at school. Just gotta be creative.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[CTD]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

Electric chain saw, tool of choice for loggers, landscapers, lazy people. Make a couple slices about 2 inches apart then slice out the middle.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Removing foam from around tank

Well CTD that was some advice you gave me on removing the foam with a chain saw........I fired up the poulan and shoved it into the foam, and down I went right through......<br />><br />><br />><br />><br />>Right through the stuff like it was butter. <br />Any one doing this,do at your own RISK, I measured down to the bottom and deducted 3/4 of an inch, I then put a piece of tape on the bar to mark how deep to go, made a cut around the tank and in the back where it was thick, I remarked the bar for the plunge cut and cut it into 4" blocks. With my 2" chisel it came out in big chunks. On the sides where it was about 1" thick I made several cuts, pulverizing the foam. I then used a shop vac to suck out the shavings. <br />In less than 1 hour I have the foam out, all around the 100 gallon belly tank tank. I run the saw just above idle, enough to keep the blade going.<br /><br />CDC, thanks a million, I have been dreading this job and it was nothing to it with your suggestion.