How To: De-rust 4 Gallon Can

[Owen Evans]

I picked up a nice 4 gallon can last weekend. Based on the traces of black (grey?) paint and the absence of a petrol-y smell, I suspect that this was originally a water can.

Problem is, the interior is rather rusty (photo 3). Any tips on a product I could use to coat the interior, to stop the rust getting any worse? Or should I leave well alone?

Thanks,
Owen.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Owen Evans

I picked up a nice 4 gallon can last weekend. Based on the traces of black (grey?) paint and the absence of a petrol-y smell, I suspect that this was originally a water can.

Problem is, the interior is rather rusty (photo 3). Any tips on a product I could use to coat the interior, to stop the rust getting any worse? Or should I leave well alone?

Thanks,
Owen.

Hi Owen,
Nice find! If you want the can just for looks and not to fill it, I would use Waxoyl and either spray it inside or just pour some in and swill it around, then tip any surplus out.

[rob love]

I don't know if you guys have POR-15 over there, but it would be perfect for a can like this. You would want to remove any loose rust, pour some PO-15 in and roll the can around to get the paint everywhere, then drain out the excess. Give it a couple of days to dry, and the can should be lined for life. Basically you do the same thing for a fuel tank, except yours is a lot cleaner than an old fuel tank.

The paint can be had in black, silver, or white.

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Owen,
Nice find! If you want the can just for looks and not to fill it, I would use Waxoyl and either spray it inside or just pour some in and swill it around, then tip any surplus out.

Originally Posted by rob love

I don't know if you guys have POR-15 over there, but it would be perfect for a can like this. You would want to remove any loose rust, pour some PO-15 in and roll the can around to get the paint everywhere, then drain out the excess. Give it a couple of days to dry, and the can should be lined for life. Basically you do the same thing for a fuel tank, except yours is a lot cleaner than an old fuel tank.

The paint can be had in black, silver, or white.

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have a tin a Waxoyl in the shop, so that will be my first attempt in the morning. We can get POR-15 over here, so that may be a follow-up option. Not that I'm intending to drink out of the can though!

Cheers,
Owen.