Newbie fount cleaning question.

[Steviebear]

Ok guys, you've added another convert to the club. I just bought my first lantern, a 200a at a garage sale for 5 bucks, first of many, I'm sure. Anyway, it's in pretty rough shape, rusty, missing paint, etc and not suitable for restoration, so I just plan on getting it running and using it while hunting for its prettier sister:) The problem I have is the rust in the tank. There doesn't seem to be any in the fuel, just on the bottom of the tank, but when I try to light it, it only stays lit for a minute or so and then goes out. I take it apart, clean the generator tip, and it does it again. I'm pretty sure it's just getting clogged when it runs. Is there a quick and easy way to clean the tank and remove the surface rust without doing a serious restoration on this lantern? I was thinking nuts and bolts with a cleaning agent of some sort (works on motorcycle gas tanks) and then rinsing until clean. What do you think and what's the best cleaner for a fount?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Steve

[KCStudly]

BB's and shooka shooka.

[oth47]

I used a product called Rusteco on a tractor gas tank; shook it 2 or 3 times a day when I thought of it and the gas tank looked like a new one.It cost a hundred bux a gallon,but it can be strained and reused over and over.I'm sure there's cheaper ways,but don't know if you can get cheap,quick and easy all at the same time.

[campmaster-k]

Just buy your self a small box of bbs (dont shoot your eye out). Dump a lot , say 2000 -2500 and shake with water for about 10 min. No need to use anything but water. It will be rust free. Dump out the milkshake and rinse with alcohol ( because lacquer thinner will melt your paint if it spills on the outside). Blow it dry with compressed air and it will be crumb and rust free. You may need a small magnet to remove the last few bbs.

The alcohol will insure that the found dries completely and quickly .

I save my bbs and use them over and over. Spread them out on a rag or paper towels so they can dry then put them back in the container they came in, they will rust a little but it does not matter.