Questions about cleaning Apache's

[Bob DeCamp]

I was finally able to add an Apache to my collection and pick up an extra in the process. As you can see from the picture they are quite toasty! The cans look slightly better in the picture than they do in person. I think the flash may have something to do with it. Here are my questions:

1) Would some additional soaking highlight the label a little better or just fade what little is left?

2) Would a clearcoat of laquer help to highlight the label?

In any event, I am thrilled to have taken this one off of my want list and even got an extra for my totes!

Thanks for any and all help. Bob

[Bob DeCamp]

DOH!

[Rustmonger]

Sorry to say they look as good as they're going to get. I definately wouldn't clear coat those cans, it'll just turn 'em turd brown and make them even harder to read. They look like they've been soaked to death already so further soaking with either fade them or just make 'em that yellow/green color that we all love so much. If it were me I'd just leave them alone and be glad I have 'em. Just my opinion. Nice score.

[apacherobert]

Bob,

I would leave them as they are. If the were soaked any longer they will start to fade. Unfortunately i ruin some of them.
Robert

[Bob DeCamp]

Thanks for the info Robert, I will leave them alone. Hope you find some more!

[mybrotha]

Bob...I agree with the las post...I've soaked a ton of cans here in the desert where I have taken all the rust of the can and it's smooth as silk...but most often only the most brilliant part of the can is still visible...I have an Abc and a Weiland that look just like your APache only a bit clearer...those cans looked like they have been soaked alot hoping for a better result and I agree completely that they're as good as they are going to get...I have sprayed clear coat on as a test to see if you can make them look cleaner and it's worked for me...It will bring back sharpness to the clean and deepen color...but in the case of an Apache...I'm not sure you'd want to do that...I'm far from the folks expertise on this site, but something like an Apache should probably be just alone...Mike

[JAL]

Don't coat them in Shellac or Lacquer. If you do decide you really want to bring out any color that is left, the best option I have found is the following (old woodworking trick that works for cans):

From your local paint store or hardware store (Ace, Lowes)- mix a 50:50 blend of Boiled Linseed oil and Odorless Mineral Spirits. OMS won't have any impact on the paint left, and the BLO will bring out the color. Don't substitue solvents, OMS is a safe choice. Just brush on, and wipe with a clean rag. BLO will take a few days to a week to fully cure- the OMS will evaporate off within the hour unless it's very cold out.

I would suggest you try on another dumper to make sure your happy with the results...

Here's an Natty Bock that I coated, and it really deepens the color remaining.

[Bryan2]

Interesting.....is this a better option than WD-40 ?