Metal gas cans---dealing with/preventing rust

[MarkG]

Thought I'd just start a new thread, since it's a little different topic than another that's already started.

I just bought an Eagle metal gas can. The thing I thought of first was that the paint on the thin, formed metal edge on the bottom will probably be gone in no time and rust will probably start soon after! I have plastic cans too, but I wanted a metal one, in spite of the rust problem.

It sort of seems like a bad design, or maybe intentional to keep you buying more, but I wondered if anyone has done anything to their gas cans to keep the paint intact on the bottom and therefore keep rust at bay for longer. They aren't cheap cans and I want it to last.

I was considering using adhesive caulk to adhere wood 'pads' or something on the bottom to prevent this.

I'd be interested in comments and suggestions. Thanks.

 

[gdocktor3]

Get some Rustoleum Bed liner rattle cans and paint the bottom and a couple inches up all the way around. That stuff is pretty durable when applied correctly. I think attaching a piece of plywood to the bottom is just ridiculous. If the wood ever got wet it would absorb and hold the moisture, helping rust out the bottom quicker.

 

[A_Pmech]

Store your can under a roof. If you keep it off the ground it will fail from dings and dents long before you see any rust.

 

[Provincial]

Treat any area that has exposed steel with phosphoric acid etch, then apply the paint/coating. The etch helps protect the steel and helps the paint grip the steel.

 

[M6erfan]

I keep my metal cans up off the concrete on 2"x12" wood planks in my garage, really helps with the longevity

 

[MarkG]

Get some Rustoleum Bed liner rattle cans and paint the bottom and a couple inches up all the way around. That stuff is pretty durable when applied correctly. I think attaching a piece of plywood to the bottom is just ridiculous. If the wood ever got wet it would absorb and hold the moisture, helping rust out the bottom quicker.

I said wood 'pads'----like feet. Obviously, I wouldn't use plywood, or if I did, I'd use a few small pads of some marine plywood scraps from my boatbuilding days, which will outlast any other wood even without being painted.

The main point is that it would keep the bottom paint INTACT, which would keep it from rusting out even if it DID get wet. Storing them on a couple pieces of wood is probably the best option, I guess.

 

[Wakefield]

I put my big gas can in my oil change pan when they are in the garage-the oil change pan always has a greasy residue of old motor oil that sticks to the bottom of the gas can

Anyone have trouble with the inside of their gas can rusting?

 

[zendriver]

Maybe just use it and not worry.

The metal is still galvanized, so rust should be nearly non-existant, with normal use and care, IMO.

I have similar design cans, that i'm sure are over 25 years old. They look just fine considering. I suppose I could touch up paint the few deep scratches, but I only have so many hours in the day. It is - after all, a gas can.

The insides are galvanized as well.

I have a similar design outboard motor gas tank, that has a stick on u-shape plastic edging, which would protect the edge, but I assume it's to keep contact noise against the boat hull minimal.

Maybe you could try something like that

 

[Farmall450]

Maybe just use it and not worry.

The metal is still galvanized, so rust should be nearly non-existant, with normal use and care, IMO.

I have similar design cans, that i'm sure are over 25 years old. They look just fine considering. I suppose I could touch up paint the few deep scratches, but I only have so many hours in the day. It is - after all, a gas can.

The insides are galvanized as well.

I have a similar design outboard motor gas tank, that has a stick on u-shape plastic edging, which would protect the edge, but I assume it's to keep contact noise against the boat hull minimal.

Maybe you could try something like that

Agreed, they're galvanized in and out. Don't dump them in mud or drag them on concrete and you'll be fine. If not I'm sure the aforementioned bedliner would be fine.