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A leaky tank is virtually useless, so you should seal it again quickly. We have summarized how to do this and the differences between plastic and steel tanks in our home article.
Sealing a steel tank – how to do it
First, we’ll tell you how to seal a steel tank. You’ll also learn when it’s better to dispose of the tank rather than seal it:
- The easiest way to reseal a cracked or leaky steel tank is to weld or braze it. Both methods will give you good, reliable results.
- Caution: If you have no experience in welding or brazing, you should leave the job to a professional. You must also ensure in advance that there is no risk of fire or explosion. The tank must be empty, clean, and free of residue.
- It is easier to use a two-component metal adhesive. Apply it to the thin crack or small hole and allow it to harden. The adhesive acts like welding filler and seals the tank just as well. You don’t need to be particularly skilled to do this. The surface to be bonded just needs to be clean and free of grease.
- It’s even easier and quicker to seal the tank with a metal repair compound. This is a type of putty that becomes as hard as steel once it has hardened. You can also use the putty to seal larger areas, which is only possible to a limited extent with the adhesive.
Sealing a plastic tank – how to do it
You cannot seal a plastic tank in the same way as other types of tanks; you have to use different methods. The following information explains how to repair your tank:
- The easiest way to seal your plastic tank is with plastic adhesive. However, you must proceed with great care, as plastic is very difficult to glue. This is primarily due to the solvents it contains, which usually prevent strong bonds from forming.
- Safety note: You should test your tank with water to make sure it is really leak-proof. Avoid testing it with gasoline or other environmentally harmful substances. Before applying the adhesive, you should sand the area to be glued with sandpaper.
- Alternatively, you can use a tool from alpine sports, namely repair sticks for damage to coatings. These are used for the undersides of skis and can also be used as a sealant for your plastic tank. You need to light the stick and hold the dripping material over the crack or hole. Once it has dried, your tank will be sealed again.
