Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Draining Oil Out of cans

Ok, I am awful at trying to use the search function at Oldgas...I can't seem to ever find what I am looking for. So....I just bought a Texaco oil can and it is full, but weeping...i.e. leaking some oil.

Opinions on draining and cleaning out oil. Drill holes in bottom? Top? How big the holes? I used to use an old fashioned can opener for opening beer cans before flip tops were invented. My dad called them "church keys." LOL

After emptying the oil so I put together some Dawn diswahing liquid and water and slosh it arond in the can a few times? Better methods? Thanks....

Results page for doing a Google Custom Search on Oldgas.com for Draining Oil Cans.

Use the Google Custom Search form at the bottom right of all Shop Talk forum pages. The top right of this page also has that form.

What I do with my quarts is to take a small leather punch, and tap it with a hammer to create 2 small holes opposite each other IN THE BOTTOM!! The tops of cans often have nice embossing or paint, and doing it on the top will decrease value. I then rinse it out with dish soap and water several times, and leave it in the house to dry. If leaking persist, take the plastic lid off a 1lb. coffee can, and use it as an "oil can coaster" fits quart cans great.

Oil can coaster....... Thats the best idea I've heard all year Luke.

I take an old ice pick and just hit two small holes in the top and drain, then clean and rinse with Dawn. When on a shelf you can't see the holes and no future leaking if not all the way clean which you might get from holes in the bottom.

That is a good idea! Wonder if you could by the coffee can lids by themselves somewhere?

I gently tap a finishing nail at two places on the bottom, 90 degrees from the displayed side of the can, and drain. Wash with dawn rinse, repeat.

It's Search at the top I struggle with..not sure if it is the dates I use or what...LOL..I am just awful at it. Will try the Google one. Thanks all....

My method step by step

1. Use a pick to place the drain holes on the bottom, one on the seam the other opposite (little graphics for oil to run down)

2. Drain and let set for 24-48 hours

3. Clean out residual oil with isopropyl alcohol 90% let set for 1 hour

Easy as 123

Equipment used:
Hammer
Small straght pick from a pick set
Funnel
Empty container for oil
Rags

My method.

Two holes in the bottom of the can and let it drain an hour or so. Spray brake cleaner into can and slosh it around while covering the two holes. Drain brake cleaner out and rinse inside of can with water. DO NOT GET BRAKE CLEANER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAN.

I use a church key to make two holes on top, 90 degrees each way from the display side of the can. Drain, wash with liquid dish soap with some Brasso mixed in, drain, rinse, drain, display.

i enjoy doing it just like they originally did... i let it sit in one of my oil can drain racks with 2 small holes in the bottom.

then rinse with dishsoap a few times and let it sit to dry. then either recycle the oil or bottle some up and save it for my chain saw as bar oil.

Now that's what I call getting the oink out of the pig.....Gather up the residual and use it in the shop...

yep... or if you have a gravel driveway, you can use it in areas to control weed growth. but shhh... i didnt say that, its probably not exactly 'environmentally friendly' to allow it to enter the ground.

The can in question...Quart of Quality Texaco Motor Oil...