Oxalic and then citric?

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Ctbott1
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Oxalic and then citric?

#1

Post by Ctbott1 »

Hi everyone. Been cleaning cans with my son with some mixed results but overall pretty good.

My question is about using citric acid after trying oxalic. I wasn’t sure if it would have any added benefit if the oxalic wasn’t able to clean the rust.

Specifically, I’m thinking about whether it would be useful to try it on a rare can that otherwise is going to end up in the trash.

I Imagine you folks have tried everything out there to clean the cans so I’m looking for any suggestions to try after the oxalic has run its course.


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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

#2

Post by DanielinAk »

I have done this from Ox to citric and citric to Ox. I tend to do this depending on how bad the rust is.
When the rust is bad I first use citric to nail down the rust while using a hot load for fast results.
Then I’ll used the Oxalic to slow down taking the rust off.

I’ve done better using Citric then Oxalic.


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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

#3

Post by DanielinAk »

Another way I’ve had good results is to use a hot load of Oxalic stop where I want then I do one of two things.
1-re dip it in room temperature Oxalic
Or
2-Wait 24 hours or so let the can completely dry then re dip in Oxalic which again will be room temp Oxalic.


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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

#4

Post by Ctbott1 »

Thank you - I’ll have to try it if this doesn’t work. It looks like the rust on the label is just going to be too heavy to clean....but I was really hoping this one would do before I toss it I’ll try whatever I can.
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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

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Post by DanielinAk »

Ctbott1 wrote:Thank you - I’ll have to try it if this doesn’t work. It looks like the rust on the label is just going to be too heavy to clean....but I was really hoping this one would do before I toss it I’ll try whatever I can.
Good Look.
Share a before and after photo


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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

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Post by Ctbott1 »

Here is the can after soaking in oxalic. I wish there was a way to focus on the heavy rust....a paste or another product.
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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

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Post by Conehead »

Citric is much more caustic and aggressive than oxalic. You really have to be careful with it.

Citric will tend to blow holes in the cans where the bubbles are.

The cans that Daniel dump I believe are typically much best to start than what you are digging. That was my experience when I dumped Alaska. I wouldn't even try citric on some of the rare stuff you are digging.

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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

#8

Post by DanielinAk »

There’s still some rust there to work with but I wouldn’t use citric if it was mine. I’d use cool or warm temp Oxalic or metal rescue.


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Re: Oxalic and then citric?

#9

Post by Conehead »

Something to remember.

It took that rust as long as 85 year to form. It isn't going to all come off immediately. I've soaked cans as many as 6 times depending on circumstances. As long as there is that light brown color in the rust, some will still come off.

Please, just be careful with those rare cans you have, lots of us here would love to shelf even those really ratty ones.

BTW, I need that Red Fox Beer qt. also.

It is quite amazing how many "Beer" can you have found. New England was "Ale" back in the day. That's one reason so many of the cans you found are so tough.

Jim
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