Rusty gas cans--Worth cleaning up?

[maddy]

After experiencing the "joys" of plastic gas cans, I was elated to find a couple of old metal gas cans at a garage sale. They're pretty rusty on the outside, but there are no holes. I can't tell how they are on the inside. Are these cans worth restoring? If so, how would I go about doing that?

[homstdr74]

Originally Posted by maddy

After experiencing the "joys" of plastic gas cans, I was elated to find a couple of old metal gas cans at a garage sale. They're pretty rusty on the outside, but there are no holes. I can't tell how they are on the inside. Are these cans worth restoring? If so, how would I go about doing that?

Clean the rust off the outside, then take a look at the inside with the can pointing at the sun....that should show you if any pinholes have appeared via the rusty pathways.

I know what you mean about plastic gas containers. The new ones, that they claim are "safer" than the older ones, are not only expensive but are outright dangerous. I refuse to get rid of my old metal gas cans that I can just pour gasoline into and out of.

[arabian knight]

Those new plastic cans you have to put a 'vent hole' in them and they work better. I do like the newer spouts as I can tip the entire OLD plastic gas can I have and rest it on the lip of the gas tank on my lawnmower or even the snow Blower. And when lifting it up it snaps closed no spin and yet fills the tank as fast as the oleo spouts. But again this is an older 6 gallon Plastic gas can that has a vent. But on Youtube there are videos on how to put in vents in the newer plastic ones.

[dirtman]

Slosh some muratic acid around the inside. That will kill any rust that's in there. Then swirl some gravel around inside and that will grind off the dead rust.

I have about 10 old plastic cans that I've lost the caps and spout to. I'd like to find someplace I could just get those.