My Can Cleaning Recipe

Instuctions and Methods of Can Cleaning

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Rustomatic
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My Can Cleaning Recipe

#1

Post by Rustomatic »

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:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Good Luck!

Tom Inman


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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#2

Post by MikeS29 »

Nice results! :smt020
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#3

Post by Scott Rollert »

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

#4

Post by Rustomatic »

Scott, that is very important. Neutralize then severly dilute before getting rid of it.

Later,

Tom Iman
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#5

Post by cansnatcher »

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?
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#6

Post by Rustmonger »

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

#7

Post by Scott Rollert »

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

#8

Post by Wheaton »

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.
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#9

Post by MikeS29 »

Hey, would rhubarb deplete you of iron? :mrgreen:
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Re: My Can Cleaning Recipe

#10

Post by chriscanmando »

thanx for the tips tried it out as soon as i read this and it really seems to be working
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