Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Bayliss Thomas]

Just purchased an old world 2 gall petrol can for use on my cars running board. The interior of the can has some minor rust spots, nothing over dramatic but I have rinsed can out with an drop of petrol now. Is the rust spotting an disaster or can I still use can for spare petrol? Can has no leaks.

[stuchamp]

I had a one gallon can that had tarnish and a little rust. Put a cup of silica sand in it and took it to a body shop where they put it on their paint can shaker for about 20 minutes. Looks like new inside now.

[Nic Jarman]

I bought an old petrol can to go on the Talbot's running boards so I put some sand in it and gave it a good shake, it looked nice and clean but it started leaking a few days later.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[mid]

I assume that you could coat the inside similar to an actual fuel tank using something like the Frost product?

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8232&frostProductName=Fuel%20Tank%20Sealer%20%28US%20Quart,%20946ml%29

never tried it myself but have heard good things...

[Rusty]

That sort of stuff works well !
My brother uses simmilar stuff on motorcycle fuel tanks. It has to be chemically cleaned with some sort of acid that comes with the kit but works a treat. I recon it would work on your Jerry can !
" Not cheap though !"

[michael1703]

ive done similar except i used nuts and bolts and ball bearings to get rid of the loose rust

[Salopian]

I always thought these cans were tinned metal and have found they rust like the proverbial when this coating has gone. I'd use one of the tank sealers suggested as I have treated mine with success. They will leak round the bottom seam where the turned over lip wears off.
Don't forget the pre war ones are dated (month & year) underneath.
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[Bayliss Thomas]

Great tips, thanks to one and all