Help! About to weld on a bomb!

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Hey guys, I need some welding expertise here! I need to do some welding on a motorcycle fuel tank. It's been empty and dry for quite some time, and I intend on cleaning it very thoroughly. I was going to flood the interior of the tank with inert gas ( argon/CO2 mix) and weld it with oxy-acetylene. Would like to use wire, but the welder got itself stolen ,All I have left is the gas bottle! Is there a better/safer/smarter way to get this thing done? Thanks in advance for any words of advice.                                                                                Chris
Reply:Wash it out with dry cleaning fluid then you will be safe for sure. Local dry cleaners should be able to sell you a pint or so of it.
Reply:Maybe fill it with gasoline to the top. A tank of gas burns, it does not 'blow up'. If the tank burns, you will save yourself the trouble of the explosion............But more seriously, hot soapy water after hitting it with a degreaser spray. Get Gunk engine degreaser, shoot some in, slosh it around, and then wash it very well with hot water and say Simple green or dish soap. Let it soak, and flush it well. Once dry, you should not smell gas. If you do, you need to do more soaking and flushing. HOT water helps this process.For oxy/ acetaline, using an inert gas does not work out too well. Better to just wash and wear.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Why do you need to weld on the tank? Usually there's one of two reasons... one to modify the tank to fit something else or "improve" it, or two, because of leaks.If it's leaking, then that usually means it's got rust issues. Trying to weld a rusty tank seldom works well. To get it prepped right, you usually end up making more holes, or after you are done, you find new ones that grow shortly there after from other bad spots. Rusty tanks usually are best off getting replaced unless it's super rare and hard to get. Otherwise find a decent "donor" and just install the "new" one or buy an OEM part..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by InkydoggyWash it out with dry cleaning fluid then you will be safe for sure. Local dry cleaners should be able to sell you a pint or so of it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedVery bad advice. Dry cleaning fluid contains chlorinated solvents which produce toxic fumes when exposed to arc or flame. Same issue as brake cleaner, covered in several threads here.Simple Green and water is safe and effective.John
Reply:Its lucky not safe.   Takes but a tiny trapped drop of fluid to produce Phosgene gas and cause serious injury or death.   OSHA would be all over that if they knew about it.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks for the advice guys. Have a good one!