Oldgas.com Home  

Click here for Petro Porcelain Sign auction listings


Home | Help | Events | Auctions | Parts | Pictures | Links | Contact
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#783900 Sat Nov 19 2022 03:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Petro Enthusiast
OP Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
I recently bought this 5 gallon rocker oil can and would like some advice on how to clean it up as well as possible. I don’t know much at all about oil cans so I am open to suggestions.

1. How can I clean the oil and grit off the rounded “wrap around” side?

2. How can I “refresh” the en-ar-co graphics side without losing the paint?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Steve

3973B522-3445-42C6-A48E-46AA03FA5483.jpeg 2BB1D553-4253-4A89-8C22-EB648947BA79.jpeg 681330FA-569B-427C-98C4-B10F78BBF377.jpeg B0ABD40A-BDCC-4EC6-8BEE-B10C619410A2.jpeg
Please use For Sale forums to sell

Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category

Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
You can try a diluted 50/50 mix of concrete and metal prep cleaner from Home Depot. Spray it on for 5-10 minutes and hose off for the graphic area. Never done it on an oil can but have done it on painted signs.

Last edited by Paul Bell; Sat Nov 19 2022 06:02 PM.

See our restorations & products! >>>>> https://www.facebook.com/roadrash/
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 15
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 15
I'd start with WD40 . Spray it on let it set. wipe it off , repeat.
It's never harmed anything I used it on , good results.

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 25
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 25
I have had good luck following the initial WD 40 soaking with clean oil and a soft toothbrush focusing only on the rim edge area. I have also coated the graphic area with clean oil and used that as the lubricant/cleaner and hand rubbed the graphic area a small section at a time. Light pressure and a watchful eye should make a big difference for you.

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Here’s a rocker I used prep & etch on….

8EDA470D-E6B7-4FF8-90EC-49A819A59823.jpeg 0DEFD9B1-A033-4905-AC03-453619BC0DD4.jpeg C0857578-FA27-43CA-89F1-9F83D58B156E.jpeg 92D815F5-785D-4F15-B6FB-D20B2FDE4196.jpeg

-Steve B. (WTB: 48" Flying A button, 48" black/org Phillips 66, White Star, and Chevrolet Signs. Also looking for a Wayne 866. Send a PM. Thanks.)
1 member likes this: 20harley01
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Petro Enthusiast
OP Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Steve…are you referring to the concrete and metal prep cleaner that Paul was talking about in his above response?

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
Originally Posted by Stephenwarren30
Steve…are you referring to the concrete and metal prep cleaner that Paul was talking about in his above response?

Looks like the effect I've seen on my signs. The stuff I used is this. There are other metal etches that do the same thing, used a lot in autobody shops for removing surface rust. Been using this stuff for years on cars, but never thought to use it on signs until recently. If you leave it on too long it'll remove all the rust leaving clean metal (with a grey zinc phosphate coating) where there is no paint at all.

Captureffffff.JPG
Last edited by Paul Bell; Mon Nov 21 2022 07:59 PM.

See our restorations & products! >>>>> https://www.facebook.com/roadrash/
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Petro Enthusiast
OP Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
So you are saying 50/50 mix water and etching….spray on front with graphics for how long before hosing off?


Apply mix on sides as long as I want reaching desired affect, then hose off?

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 57
I've used it full strength and 50/50. I think to be careful its good to go 50/50 in a spray bottle and mist it on. Then wait 5-10 minutes and wash off with hose. Dry it off and see what you have, then repeat if you want to. I've typically gone through 3 cycles like this and quit. My goal has been to brighten the colors but not take all the rust away. I've found that it works well on rust stained white areas especially. Sometimes after a few days there will be some white powder that forms here and there that needs removal with some scrubbing. When you are all done with the metal prep, good to clean it really well, to neutralize it. It sounds harder than it is, so far its always worked well for me. Maybe one time I went too far but it was still fine. I've never seen it remove paint other than loose stuff.

Last edited by Paul Bell; Tue Nov 22 2022 08:58 PM.

See our restorations & products! >>>>> https://www.facebook.com/roadrash/
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Yes, do exactly what Paul just said. It’s the exact same thing I do. Might take a few rounds. Buy a dedicated squirt bottle for it to spray it on.


-Steve B. (WTB: 48" Flying A button, 48" black/org Phillips 66, White Star, and Chevrolet Signs. Also looking for a Wayne 866. Send a PM. Thanks.)
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Petro Enthusiast
OP Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 17
Thanks guys! Happy Thanksgiving!
Steve

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 27
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 27
I tried this one time on a rocker can. Did not like the results. Almost like it dulled the paint and I had white stuff all over. Scared to try it again on a sign.


Drive with Care and Buy Sinclair!! I buy Sinclair globes, signs, cans, ect.

Moderated by  Oldgas, Ryan Underthun 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Click here for Gas Pump auction listings

Copyright © 2023 Primarily Petroliana Interactive, All Rights Reserved

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5