Removing smoke disoloration from a can

[bradflinders]

I just picked up a can that has disoloration due to smoke. I'm sure this topic has been addressed before but I'd like to know a good product that can help to remove the smoke stain without damaging the can. Any ideas?

[JAL]

Is the smoke discoloration from a fire, or tobacco smoke?

I've had luck removing tobacco smoke discoloration using citrus based cleaners (d-Limonene) and a soft rag... need to take care since d-Limonene can damage some paints if left on for a very long time and the cleaner has a high concentration of it.

As for smoke from a fire, not sure a way to clean that (or if at all possible). Much of that smoke discoloration is from the heat.

JAL

[Monkeysqueak]

Dupont "One Step Polish 1500S" works awesome on cans with tobacco staining or any other stain, for that matter. Just gotta be real careful to not rub overly hard and not too much in one spot. A little goes a long way. I had a smoked 'gansett can (yellow tobacco smoke) that came out looking brand-new when done.

[fallscityfreak]

Dupont "One Step Polish 1500S"

Is that at the automotive store, or the hardwear store? I never had any real luck in removing tobacco stains, and I'll definetly try it!

-fcf.

[Monkeysqueak]

I would try an auto-parts store. One that carries Dupont autobody/paint supplies. I had it left over from buffing the clear coat on my car years ago. Came in a one quart white plastic bottle. When you find it, shake the bottle good to mix it all up first. If you can't find it, find a friend who's in the autobody business & they should be able to hook you up with it or it's equivalent.

[Rocknchip]

Gluekhead once mentioned "Flitz" for that... so I picked up some Flitz at ACE Hardware and wow did it work - be careful though, its a very super fine liquid grit, like "000" sand paper in a bottle. it took off some tobbaco stains from my Blue Royal Amber... nice and white back ground now

[fallscityfreak]

Chip- Have any left? I have a can in mind to try it on, and I'll bring it with me next week when we head up to the show!

-fcf.

[Leon]

I've been using the Flitz for years, It comes in a small tube in paste form or you can get it in a watered down aerosol spray can. Being a Polish, like any polish it is Abrasive which means to much rubbing to hard for to long can remove paint. Follow up with Meguires #7 for that show car shine LEON.

[Farmer]

You should try that application on the "Caveman" face in your avitar. He is looking pretty spotty.

[Barry Travis]

Aw...you guys REMEMBERED!

Like a lot of addicts,I started out with a small squeeze,applying lightly.No,I wasn't going to get hooked.It was nice,but I could leave it anytime.It wasn't a big deal...really.It was a can here or there...until I hit one of my big tin signs.The difference was amazing,and I knew I was in for an hour massage till my fingers hurt.Oh,sweet Flitz!

Now I buy the 2 lb. cans on ebay...sniff.And sure, I turn others on to the "wonder paste."

But I don't deal,so I'm not THAT bad,right?

[cansnatcher]

c'mon, man, I just need a little hit of that stuff till I get myself a fix of my own...... it was sooooo good. Can you bring just a little bit to the next show?

[canhawk]

I edited this post in 2017 to update what I learned by trial and error.

This problem mostly arises on white paint on steel cans, and usually show up on one side, like sun damage. The challenge is to not rub through the clear coat finish and the paint. As someone mentioned in this topic, cleaning aluminum aggressively is not recommended and I would only use soap on aluminum.

For discolored white paint on steel cans, soap and warm or hot water is the first and least risky step. Dawn dish soap is concentrated and works well but I think any concentrated soap will work. The next most aggressive step is cleaner wax, with very fine abrasives. I would try nothing more aggressive than polishing compound, proceeding cautiously and rubbing lightly.

[Leon]

Farmer, I did, you should of seen it before that LEON.

[Barry Travis]

These were found about 25 years ago near Boston during a remodel,then thrown in a box and forgotten.They were "rediscovered" after the rental unit they were stored in had a fire.Even then,they were almost thrown out again.Heres the "wonder of Flitz" in action.

[Rustmonger]

That's amazing Barry, fine job Brother! Pretty impressive can find too, some real sweathearts in there. Roughly how long does it take you to do a can like that? Couple minutes or is it a big job? I've never tried any Flitz on my beer stuff but was using it 20+ years ago on chrome rims on my hot rods. Worked wonders back then.

[MountainCanSeeker]

First post from a newcomer who's back into collecting cans after being a teenage collector in the 70's. Heck, I still don't drink beer, but the lure of going dumping again is just too strong. I'm a dumper at heart I guess. Anyway....

I know I'm a bit of a latecomer to this topic, but I just bought some Ebay cans with smoke discoloration and came here to see how I could clean them. The above ideas are good, but I was lazy and didn't want to drive to the store to get Flitz. So, I tried one of those Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges my wife had under the sink and it worked quite well. It took a little elbow grease, but it cleaned off the smoke grime, surface rust and other dirt while leaving the paint intact. I've used it to clean up some spots on a few other cans since then and it's done the job well. I hope this adds a new method to your can-cleaning tool box.

Now, to get out on my first serious dumping trip in 30 years and find some more old cans to try this method on! I'll have to see if there are any other Southern Colorado folks here who won't mind a relatively newbie tag-along.

[Scott Rollert]

MCS, I might try your cleaning tip. I have some of those erasers. Speaking of CO, there's a good RB presence here. Rustamust & I live in CO Spgs., Mountainrust in Hot Sulphur Spgs., Steve Thompson & Colin S. in the Denver area. You should try to make a Mile Hi chapter trade & meet everyone. The above mentioned rust hounds are active diggers.

[MountainCanSeeker]

Thanks Scott. I'm in Colo. Springs too. I'll have to connect with you and some of the others to go dumping some day soon. Thanks for the lead.

[keithker]

Was curious if anybody ever tried cleaning smoke from a crowntainer. I happened to pick this can up from an auction and was hoping there might be a few tricks of the trade to help brighten it up.......

[willssoda]

Not sure it works on cans but Barkeepers friend works great on ACL bottles.

[Senator Seebs]

Just saw on facebook someone put a quart of water with 9 polident tablets and it actually took away some stain. Give it a whirl.

[Cantageous]

Keith, I've had success call me. 954-224-8104


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