Cleaning old Jerry Cans

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Renodemona
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Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Renodemona »

Hello!
I still have the old old old Jerry Can that was on the back of my Jeep when I got it. I haven't used it as it was old and looked rusty inside. It does hold liquid so its not completely worthless. Is there something I can slosh around inside to protect it and be able to use it again to hold fuel? With the Ouray trip coming up, another 5 gallons couldn't hurt right?
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
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1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
FiTech Go EFI, Edelbrock Performer intake
3" Rough Country Springs, HEI Dizzy
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2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
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REDONE
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by REDONE »

Honestly, it's probably worth more to a packrat antiquer than to you as a Jerry can. There's a ton of things you could TRY to convert/encapsulate/clean the rust, but is it really worth the risk of plugging up your fuel filter when you're already out in the boonies and using your spare gas?

Put it in your garden next to a rusty metal tractor seat on a post and getcherself a new one. ;)

EDIT>>> There's two things at Harbor Freight I know of that are made in the USA, metal gas cans and plastic dropcloths. go figure. :P

2nd EDIT>>> Fun bit of trivia: In the military, Jerry cans with three handles are for fuel, if it's only got one handle, it's a water can. Don't mix them up! :o
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.
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Renodemona
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Location: Sparks, NV

Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Renodemona »

I've got a new one, just thought it would be cool to have the old one too but you are right about the practicality. Maybe some pickers will come by and offer me a buck for it...
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
--------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
FiTech Go EFI, Edelbrock Performer intake
3" Rough Country Springs, HEI Dizzy
-------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
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REDONE
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by REDONE »

Renodemona wrote:... just thought it would be cool...
You know what'd be cool? Awesome crafty portable camp fire!
Image

It's entirely your fault that I googled "jerry can yard art". :P
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

REDONE wrote:
2nd EDIT>>> Fun bit of trivia: In the military, Jerry cans with three handles are for fuel, if it's only got one handle, it's a water can. Don't mix them up! :o
Fun alter trivia. WW2 water cans had three handles :p

Image
Last edited by Grand_Wag_85 on Wed Jun 29, 2016 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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REDONE
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by REDONE »

More fun trivia: the three handles are so one guy can carry the can using the center handle, or a whole bunch of guys can buddy carry a whole bunch of cans by using the outside handles, Daisy chain style.
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

Did not know that :)
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You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!

AwesomeJ10
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by AwesomeJ10 »

interesting!

SemperFIGuy
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by SemperFIGuy »

I did my fuel tank with Evaporust and Redkote, I have been very impressed with both products, though if you do leave gas in there for a while it will tInt it red, I haven't had any problems with fuel being red.

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ShagWagon
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by ShagWagon »

Maybe some kind of bladder or rhino liner that gas don't eat....
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Tatsadasayago »

A soak with Muriatic acid does the trick for cleaning the insides but doesn't address the returning rust.
Keeping the can full and sealed goes a long way though.
I used to carry two old school steel cans on my M-38A1 that would grow rust after sitting all winter.
I used a 'Jack-Me-Off' hose and siphoned the fuel out while keeping the end off the bottom about an inch. This prevented the rust and any dirt from being picked up by the hose.
For a slow-filling Cherokee like yours, siphoning is a great way to fill without having gas dripping down the side of your rig.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
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JeepsAndGuns
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by JeepsAndGuns »

SemperFIGuy wrote:I did my fuel tank with Evaporust and Redkote, I have been very impressed with both products, though if you do leave gas in there for a while it will tInt it red, I haven't had any problems with fuel being red.

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I 2nd a vote for evaporust. I bought some at my local tractor supply and used it to de rust the water jacket in a 4.0 engine block. It worked very well!
79 Cherokee Cheif. MPFI 401, T18/D20, hydroboost, otherwise stock.
93 YJ. 4.0, 5 Speed, SYE, hydroboost, WJ knuckles/brakes, 8.8 rear, OME 2.5in lift, warn M10000 winch. 31x10.50's
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

What about cleaning old water jerry cans? The one I have from WW2 has some sort of liner in it that's flaking apart. Also has a vague smell of gas, no matter how many times I've filled it the odor remains and it's seen plenty of off-road slosh time. I only ever use it for water for splashing down the engine but I'd like to know that in an emergency I could drink from it and not poison myself...lol
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You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!
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jsinajeep
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by jsinajeep »

Look like I need to bring my JERRY can and parts to Ouray and sell them. :D
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Driftwood
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Driftwood »

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Driftwood
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Driftwood »

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Driftwood
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Driftwood »

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Driftwood
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by Driftwood »

REDONE wrote:More fun trivia: the three handles are so one guy can carry the can using the center handle, or a whole bunch of guys can buddy carry a whole bunch of cans by using the outside handles, Daisy chain style.
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orangecherokee
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by orangecherokee »

I've heard of boiling out old fuel tanks. I assume the same can be done for these. Anyone got any information about that? I've got an old fuel tank and numerous jerry cans that could benefit from something like that. I see Muriatic Acid is a popular choice but there's not any actually "boiling" that takes place. More like sloshing.

edit: I also found this...

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900056-3

motcat
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Re: Cleaning old Jerry Cans

Post by motcat »

I've cleaned probably close to 100 motorcycle gas tanks with muriatic acid. Always dilute, but when the rust is really bad you have to go with a higher concentration of acid. You have to coat the inside of the tank/can with a sealer pretty quick after you've rinsed the inside and removed all the water. Always used the Kreem product:

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/720-636
- John (aka JR)
78 Chief Dad bought new in Kenosha WI, 401, RV cam, Part time kit, Edelbrock+Holly 600, DUI, 3" Rancho, Skyjackers, Crossflow rad, Rust, rust, rust
78 J10 Bob's (Becca's) old J-Truck, Tired 360, Tired TH400, Tired QT, Just really tired, but keeps on runnin
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