Suggestions for cleaning this can

[pinnacle-project]

I went to an auction today and bought this 15 gallon can for $2. My intent is to use it as a trash can in my shop. Tonight, I am cleaning it as best I can with glass cleaner. It has improved it considerably but I would like to do better. I think cleaning this can should be pretty similar to cleaning a steel beer can. I was thinking about using an automotive polishing compound. What do you think? Good idea? Maybe something else would work better? I am definitely not going to dip it in acid since it is so large. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Conehead]

I would use Flitz.

[Ed Johnson]

To me, you have brought it a long way just with the glass cleaner. Maybe just a coat of blue poly or whatever the equivalent is these days? Lots of ways to spend 2 bucks - but that is one of the better ones.

[Jay]

Nice trash can. Before I went to any kind of compounds or finishes I would take some Clorox kitchen wipes and go over it again. I bought a 5 gallon grease can that was covered in grease and dirt and they worked out well for me. Even some easy off oven cleaner ( small amount) can get the tougher spots.

Jay

[pinnacle-project]

I started to use a polishing compound yesterday. It was not the brands suggested above. I believe it was called McGuire's and I decided to try that brand because I already had it. With more practice, it may have worked out but I started to rub out some orange because I rubbed too long after going through another layer of grime. I ended up buying a can of engine cleaner/degreaser at Walmart yesterday for $1.97. I will probably not get around to trying it until Sunday but it seems like a reasonable thing to try.

[Beamer]

Bryan,
I would have been happy with the results in the second picture.

[Ziphippie]

Nice trash can. Before I went to any kind of compounds or finishes I would take some Clorox kitchen wipes and go over it again. I bought a 5 gallon grease can that was covered in grease and dirt and they worked out well for me. Even some easy off oven cleaner ( small amount) can get the tougher spots.

Jay

I thought this was a great tip, applies to any can. Start light and go heavy if needed. I really didn’t want to put anything on these, I’ve wiped aluminum paint off with one swipe. A Clorox wipe cleaned these up after a water scrub did nothing- picked these up recently for $6 in an online auction. Sorry for the hijack but it worked so well I have to post- Ziphippie

clean line-

after

[Flat_Top]

Look great. Are those retro cans or older aluminum cans?

[Ziphippie]

-older aluminum in the test section #240-28 USBC2. Ziphippie

[Sea Monkey]

Bar Keepers Friend... The active ingredient is Oxalic Acid. I use it on large signs...