My Can Cleaning Recipe
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- Rustomatic
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My Can Cleaning Recipe
This recipe was in my post detailing my Oregon trip this last fall. I use oxalic acid to clean my cans. More specifically I use Wood Bleach. Wood Bleach is 100% oxalic acid. You can buy it at Ace Hardware. Sometimes Home Depot carries it. I usually by the 12 oz size. I use 5 gallon buckets to mix water and acid. Heres the recipe:
1 - 12oz container Wood Bleach (if you want a weaker solution use half)
Fill 5 gallon bucket almost 2/3 full with hot water out of tap.
Stir in oxalic acid. I use a long wooden stick to stir. Don't stand directly over bucket.
Add cans (make sure they are cleaned once with soap and water) I usually put in from 8 to 12 cans depending on how rusty they are.
Check cans often. You can leave over night or longer.
Scrub tough spots with tooth brush and re-soak as needed.
Rinse with clean cold water and dry. I use a light coat of WD-40 to stop further rust after cleaning.
These are some I left in over night:
Good Luck!
Tom Inman
1 - 12oz container Wood Bleach (if you want a weaker solution use half)
Fill 5 gallon bucket almost 2/3 full with hot water out of tap.
Stir in oxalic acid. I use a long wooden stick to stir. Don't stand directly over bucket.
Add cans (make sure they are cleaned once with soap and water) I usually put in from 8 to 12 cans depending on how rusty they are.
Check cans often. You can leave over night or longer.
Scrub tough spots with tooth brush and re-soak as needed.
Rinse with clean cold water and dry. I use a light coat of WD-40 to stop further rust after cleaning.
These are some I left in over night:
Good Luck!
Tom Inman
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
Appreciate the before & after pix Tom. For the novices it shows how well the process works. One thing I do before tossing out the old acid is neutralize it with some baking soda.
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
Scott, that is very important. Neutralize then severly dilute before getting rid of it.
Later,
Tom Iman
Later,
Tom Iman
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- cansnatcher
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
Amazing results, thanks.
What happens if you don't neutralize or dilute it? Isn't the acid less dangerous after its been around a while? Can you store it after you add water, or does it lose its acidity over time. Or is it less acidic after removing rust?
What happens if you don't neutralize or dilute it? Isn't the acid less dangerous after its been around a while? Can you store it after you add water, or does it lose its acidity over time. Or is it less acidic after removing rust?
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
It get's real weak after soaking and, I would imagine, it would weaken with time anyway. I know it's probably not the right thing to do but I always pour it right down the drain when I'm done. By the time I'm finished soaking cans the PH is probably higher than a Pepsi would be. I chase with a whole lotta' cold water just to make sure (and dillute it further) and I've never had a problem.
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
I just pour the old stuff on the lawn. If there is any acidity left, I figure it will help loosen the soil. Doesn't seem to hurt the grass.
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
I have a septic system, but my acid still goes right down the drain. No problems so far. I found through a little reading that oxalic acid ocurs naturally in quite a few plants. Rhubarb is said to have a fairly high concentration of it and they recommend limiting your rhubarb intake for this reason...if you happen to like the stuff. Gramma used to make rhubarb pies, so I figure my guts must be shining like mirrors by now. I don't know what effect it has on other plants when poured out, but I've never noticed any.
That said, it is a very bad idea to inhale hot acid fumes for any length of time. If I use it indoors (winter) I always do it in the ventilated utility room and use a container with a lid. I have one of those squarish plastic cat litter containers that I saved with a snap-on top. Cheap and effective.
Tom, I may try your "wood bleach" recipe. I have typically used up to 1/2 pound of "technical" oxalic acid in about 4 gallons of hot water with similar results to yours. I don't know what "technical" acid is, other than that's what the can says. Right next to the skull and crossbones.
That said, it is a very bad idea to inhale hot acid fumes for any length of time. If I use it indoors (winter) I always do it in the ventilated utility room and use a container with a lid. I have one of those squarish plastic cat litter containers that I saved with a snap-on top. Cheap and effective.
Tom, I may try your "wood bleach" recipe. I have typically used up to 1/2 pound of "technical" oxalic acid in about 4 gallons of hot water with similar results to yours. I don't know what "technical" acid is, other than that's what the can says. Right next to the skull and crossbones.
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe
thanx for the tips tried it out as soon as i read this and it really seems to be working