How can I remove rust from inside a 5 gallon jerry can

[gregsolds442]

Picked up a couple of 5 gallon jerry cans at a swap meet pretty cheap but they are a little rusty inside. How can I remove the rust EASILY and CHEAPLY?

 

[softailgarage]

I used Muriatic acid with some small nuts/bolts on a motorcycle gas tank. Dilute the acid, shake the can ,the nuts & bolts will help remove the rust.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

This is a good thread. I'm wondering the same thing.

I bought some new 55 drums for race fuel. The guy told me they were "coated and won't rust on the inside".

What kind of coating might that be? Should that be put on the inside of the Jerry cans?

 

[A**holes Garage]

Bag of aquarium rocks and jug of vinegar, shake, drain repeat if necessary.

 

[softailgarage]

Eastwood should have whatever you need...
http://www.eastwood.com/paints/unde...=29103227460&gclid=CNzDuMb1ubkCFUpBQgodwDYADQ

 

[kbs2244]

After putting in the solvent and aggregate, the shaking can get a little tiring.

The best idea I saw was to bungee cord them to the rear wheels of the lawn tractor and then go mow the grass.

If you are worried about leaks, there are a number of gas tank “sealers” around.

 

[crewchief888]

If you are worried about leaks, there are a number of gas tank “sealers” around.

i've always used kreem brand sealer for MC tanks.


no reason why it wont work on a gas can

 

[MFolks]

Try the wood bleach made by savogran, available at most hardware stores. It's Oxalic Acid, that will remove rust, but not damage metal.

 

[shefler29]

I have used this stuff and it works fantastic. Best part about it does not harm anything else.

http://www.metalrescue.com/

 

[Jim/TX/GA]

Check out Evap-o-rust.

Readily available. I get mine at O'Reilley's Auto Parts.

You don't need to fill up the can with the stuff. Pour in a gallon and close it. Lay it on its side. Move to a different side every few days.

 

[mbatarga]

Bag of aquarium rocks and jug of vinegar, shake, drain repeat if necessary.

Add a little rock salt to the vinegar and leave this solution in the tank for several days - shaking with the rocks. The solution will turn black after 4 or 5 days and foam/sludge will occur. This works - I just turned a rusty large link chain that I literally dug up in the garden out in the field. It now is nice and clean.

 

[jayoldschool]

Go to Costco, buy bulk vinegar, fill jerry can. Let sit for two weeks. Pour out vinegar. No more rust. Rinse out inside, think about coating with something fuel resistant.

 

[ZRX61]

1/2gallon of molasses, 4 1/2 gallons of water: mix, fill the can, walk away for 2-4 weeks..

 

[Fast LT1]

I have a question??? Why the hell do people call them a jerrey can? My wife does cause, is this a Canadian thing? Drives me nuts.

 

[jwicker]

Not sure if you will be able to read this, or if it should be used on a gas can but....

 

[PCO6]

Fast LT1 - Jerrycans were first built by the British. They were modelled after similar ones that were built by the Germans. The Brits called Germans "Jerrys" at the time and that's what lead to the term.

 

[aar0s]

1/2gallon of molasses, 4 1/2 gallons of water: mix, fill the can, walk away for 2-4 weeks..

Saw this over on the hamb and was amazed, spent a week looking for something worth soaking to try it out on.

 

[jethrodawg]

Saw this over on the hamb and was amazed, spent a week looking for something worth soaking to try it out on.

The molasses trick is great for getting rid of surface rust on engine blocks and the bores.

 

[justanengineer]

If its the standard NATO (military) style of jerry can Id just head to the next swap meet, I usually see them for $15-20 brandy new. To me, messing with questionable cans and fuel tanks isnt worth the effort or risk, hence why I know a VERY good tank shop/specialist and tip him well.

 

[macattak]

Get some milk stone remover at your local farm supply store. It's phosphoric acid and it will leave a coating behind so you don't get the flash rust like you get from muriatic acid. Dilute it to five parts water to one part acid. Always add to acid to the water. It's a pretty common method to clean up motorcycle tanks. Works great.

 

[Mike Miller]

1/2gallon of molasses, 4 1/2 gallons of water: mix, fill the can, walk away for 2-4 weeks..

I've got a 55 gallon barrel of that mix that's been removing the rust on my stuff for 3 years and still working. It stinks in hot weather but the stuff still comes bright & shiny.

 

[gregsolds442]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I liked the ones about vinegar and rocks and strapping it to a garden tractor wheel but I think I did it one better, I used the vinegar and stones but I wedged it into a 3 Cu ft electric concrete mixer that I picked up last summer for $40. from a guy I worked with. I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

The grip dept. at work use to take its old rusty chain and put it in a cement mixer with just plain old sand and let r go for the day and the chain was like new maybe all you need with the cement mixer is sand???

 

[brownbagg]

battery charger, some washing soda and a piece of scrap metal oh couple gallons of water

 

[Larey]

I work part time at Orielly Auto Parts and we sell Red-Kote for gas tanks frequently around the panhandle of Florida alot. It runs about thirty bucks a quart but has easy to follow directions.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DAM1/REDKOTE.oap?ck=Search_redkote_-1_1283&keyword=redkote

 

[38Chevy454]

As suggested, *any* acid will dissolve the rust (iron oxide). Vnegar is cheap, muriatic is cheap. Phosphoric is nice because it leaves the iron phosphate coating behind on the surface. With any acid, flush with lot sof water, then neutralize it (baking soda cheap and easy), flush more. If you want to really make sure no rust, put some alcohol in and then pour out and let evaporate. Result is clean and dry inside.

I would not worry about any coating. Keep it sealed, full of fuel and it won't rust.