#153354
Thu Sep 24 2009 01:18 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Petro Enthusiast
|
OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274 |
I have some cans that are grease covered both inside and out. Pretty nasty stuff, how do I clean these without ruining the painted can.
Couple of painted signs that are dirty with some rust scale and some grease. I'm assuming I could follow the same cleaning procedures as the cans.
Is there anything to remove some of the rust stains?
|
|
|
Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category
Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,780 Likes: 5
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,780 Likes: 5 |
Start with motor oil to soften the old stuff, then try some WD-40 & your finger on back or bottom of can. GO SLOW. For rust I use Citric acid [powder mixed with water, bought at a drug store].
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 19,469 Likes: 1022
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 19,469 Likes: 1022 |
What I've found that works real good is spray a little simple green on a soft cloth, start at the back of the can & proceed slowly. Cuts the grease well- on the real early cans be carefull.
Last edited by advertologist; Thu Sep 24 2009 05:28 PM.
RANDY
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,808
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,808 |
WD-40 first followed with mr cleans magic eraser.. on signs...just the eraser after cleaning with dawn and water.. always works for me. I tried simple green and found on some cases it will dull or remove paint.
Paddy Wanted. Billups, Ride with Rose, Har-V, LORECO, STANOCOLA, Pan Am (early), Hurricane, Evangeline, Canal, Gulf Coast, oil companies.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 686
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 686 |
best product I have found for cutting grease and oil is Brake Kleen.
Colin Latreille Always looking for Quality Canadian Oil & Gas & Ford Signs
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 950
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 950 |
Dawn dish detergent has always worked well for me on grease and at times I'll use mineral spirits.....YES, this will work as long as it's not applied in a soaking manner. Just enough to get the rag a little wet. Used correctly, take off the heavy stuff first followed by the dish washing liquid when there's a minimal amount of residue left and to make it nice and clean.
........Dave ___________________________________________________ Looking for old, rare, auto light bulb tins
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,282 Likes: 12
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,282 Likes: 12 |
Fastest thing in the world is a big pan of gasoline and a soft brush or rag! I've never had the gasoline hurt the paint in any way and it really cuts the grease fast! Try Dicks citrus acid trick for the rust!
Everything Cities Service Specializing in old Gas Pumps kwfrith@gondtc.com Cell#-701-739-6133
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Petro Enthusiast
|
OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274 |
for rust, how is the citric acid applied? can you use a brush (toothbrush) for this? Is this a good method for porcelain as well?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,242
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,242 |
Brake-Kleen is not safe for all cans. I've had it take the paint right off to bare metal with no rubbing. I was trying to use it to get the oil out of a can, and the straw blew off and sprayed the outside. Off came the paint in a few seconds. Be careful.
Wes
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,078
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,078 |
Anyone have before and after photos? Also tell us what you used.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,184 Likes: 4
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,184 Likes: 4 |
I have cleaned some of the oldest oil cans I have with Go-Jo hand cleaner and have never had a problem. I always test a small area just to make sure, but it always worked. Best part is you can rinse it off with water.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,089 Likes: 1
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,089 Likes: 1 |
I like gasoline or varsol,,, both oil based,, and safest,, off the shelf cleaners are risky,,
Wes.......
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,110 Likes: 1
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,110 Likes: 1 |
I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED (AND YOU WOULD BE TOO) ONE TIME WHEN I HAD PURCHASED SEVERAL MOBIL BRANDED OUTBOARD MOTOR OIL QUART CANS FROM AN ESTATE SALE. THESE HAD CRUSTY MASKING TAPE AND MAGIC MARKER ON THEM. I USED LACQUER THINNER ON ONE OF THEM TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN (THE WORST LOOKING ONE) AND LIKE I SAID....I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT IT CLEANED THE CANS AND DIDN'T TAKE OFF THE PAINT. I WAS LIKE "WOW!" TO THIS DAY I AM STILL WONDERING WHAT WAS USED TO PRINT THOSE CANS. AS MANY OF US KNOW USING LACQUER THINNER ON AN OLD OIL CAN OR PAINTED METAL SIGN IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE!
DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGE
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,346
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,346 |
Many good points stated above. There are many ways to clean oil cans but grease cans are more difficult to clean. There is something in the grease that stains the paint & is almost impossible to clean off. So as far as grease cans go I leave them alone
Wanted Owens Motor Oil & Mobiloil Gargoyle. Brad Ralston & my website is www.petrobarn.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,780 Likes: 5
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,780 Likes: 5 |
Most all cans are lithograph printed with INK, not paint.
|
|
|
|
|