how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

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how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#1

Post by FLAFUN »

I recently purchased some acid off ebay and want to try cleaning some cans. how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak cans for ??
i was given a bay state can and want to soak it but i noticed a couple of pin holes will the can desinergrate on me and should i use hot or cold water ? sorry for all the questions but its better to ask then ruin a nice can right ?
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#2

Post by Diamond State Boy »

a lot of variables in this decision. What kind of acid? has it been soaked b4?.....is it solid with pinholes or fragile?
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

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Post by ILLINICANS »

No matter what.....I would try it out on a more common can.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#4

Post by Diamond State Boy »

ILLcans....This is no time to be sensible! :smt005 :smt020
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#5

Post by FLAFUN »

can is solid to the touch and acid bought was oxalic acid. i will try to upload pitcure later today.
thanks, steve
also can acid be used over and over if i save the water in container or is it best to use new ?
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#6

Post by dumper5 »

This is how I Do it. Pre wash with soap & Water to get Dirt off.(If you don't do this it will Weaken acid)5 Gallon Bucket of Hot Tap water to 1lb of Acid(You can get 24 cans in a 5 gallon Bucket). Soak for 1hr. Check at the 1hr. If not done put back in. After cans are done Rinse in clear water Bucket(Let set for a couple of Minutes). Then let then set in a 5 gallon that has Baking Soda(About 4 or 5 Table Spoons of Baking Soda to 5 Gallons of hot or cold Water). And let set for a few Minutes(this will Nutrilize the Acid). Remember to use Rubber Glovers!!! Also Do it out Side.:smt023 :smt023 :smt023 :smt023
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#7

Post by Diamond State Boy »

good advice from Dumper5 (as with most in this forum) you can do the math for smaller batches...seen guys use a large jar for one can so you can monitor the can. one thing alot of us have learned the hard way is...a strong hot solution will fade...(red especially). good luck and post a pic.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#8

Post by Jon »

Twice today I've read - James Mahler's above post, and Chris Taylor's comments following his ADK dumping video - that guys neutralize the acid while cans are still in it. Does that help? Is it an advantage? I've never thought to do that. I thought the best use of the baking soda was to make the acid better on the environment before I dump it out. Just curious .....
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#9

Post by dumper5 »

You can Do that after You get done Cleaning your cans. (I don't Neutrize the acid while cans are in the Acid).That is what I do. :smt023 :smt023 :smt023 :smt023
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#10

Post by Diamond State Boy »

killing two birds with one stone?....saves a step and neutralizes batch for disposal? just guessing. I prefer to rinse inside and out then neutralize. Then again Chris knows 10x more than me about every aspect of beer cans. :oops:
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#11

Post by Diamond State Boy »

just to be clear...We are all in agreement that the can needs to be part of neutralizing...mine is just a seperate short soak in clean water and bicarb...which dumper5 mentioned.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#12

Post by chateaudebris »

:smt007 :smt007 :smt017,,cleaning dumper cans ,,from the ground down,,,,,,,,,,can be an art in itself,,im always learning new tricks,,,,,,,,all cans clean different,,pull tops are tricky,,all the paints are different on all the different cans,,,use plastic ,never soak cans in a metal bucket?,,,for single can cleaning in a small container use just a bit to test with warm water,, :smt017,,,,,,,,,,there are many ways to clean cans,,,,,,,,,,these tips works well for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,after you get your dirty cans home,,let them dry out for a day to settle the paint shock of moving them into the air after so many years sealed in the dirt,this helps prevent peeling and flaking paint,,,,with a lot of cans to clean,a 5 gal bucket holds close to a case per batch, start with hot ,i use at least a half a 12oz can worth for three or four batches worth ,,start hot on the older rough flats and cones first,,,always monitor the cleaner better stuff in warm to be safe,,,, and let the crustys sit over night in hot,,some cans need many soakings?,, let them dry out a full a day and soak again,,a lot more rust may come off after a second or third round,,,and yes,,be careful with the hot temps on the soft colors and red cans?,,,as the acid weakens and cools.. soak the pull tops and faded stuff?,,, another caution,,if you leave cans in too long and save the acid too long,,the lids and seams will turn green faster? never leave aluminum in overnight!! ,,,,,,one thing i found is using a splash of dish soap with the acid bath for a better cleaning? i found this by soaking old dish soap cans ,,,,joy,,,"that had a bit left inside"and cleaning them with beer cans,,makes dumpers shine,,,after the cans are soaked and rinsed,, sprinkle some baking soda right on the can and scrub with the brush under warm water,,this will nutlilize the acid left on the can and will rinse even more dirt off? ,,,,,,,,play with some rusty common cans and get your own feel for what works best ,, everyone sees the dirty cans different ? ,,,,,,,,,,from trash to treasure ,, for the true dumpers and rust lovers,,,their is a lot of fun in the cleaning of cans,,watching the rust come off,,,,coming back in the morning and see the ugly stuff in the bucket turned into collectable fun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all this talk of cleaning cans,,,,,,,im going digging ,,,,,,,,,,,,,and its only one week till the 16th annual pollock pines beer can show july 30th ,,,,be there ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :smt030
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#13

Post by FLAFUN »

bay state 001.JPG
bay state 001.JPG
bay state 001.JPG
this is the can let me know if it's even cleanable ok ?
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

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Post by dumper5 »

Sure It's Cleanable. But It's A can you must Watch.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#15

Post by Rustomatic »

Steve,

Just looking at that can I would say it has had an acid treatment. There are dark spots where rust or paint used to be. It has rusted over again. If it were me I would put some WD-40 on it and wipe it down with a cloth to knock the light rust off of it. Ahter that I would dry it and leave a light coat of WD-40 on it. Just what I would do.

Later,

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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#16

Post by Mike S »

Some good advice here. Pre cleaning cans is a must! My mixture is about a cup of acid with enough hot water to cover two stacks of cans in a 5 gallon bucket, sometimes ill add a little more for real crusty stuff. cleaner cans can be done in as little as 15 minutes, mystery cans can go a day sometimes two but check them and lightly scrub them with a old toothbrush. I rinse them with hot water also and i never use baking soda but always use good rubber gloves, to each his own i guess. I have found the darker the rust is AFTER the cans have been cleaned once the less chance of anymore coming off but it it still looks reddish you can soak some more. I don't think your baystate will clean anymore, the slight yellow-greenish color spots it has is from already being in acid a little too long or out in the sun while soaking (cover your buckets to help prevent this) Tom is right about the WD-40, it might help bring a little color back and might help rid the yellow-green color from the acid. Here is an example of a can that was cleaned once and had some reddish color rust so i cleaned it again, notice the rust is much darker and it wont really clean anymore at this point.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#17

Post by Diamond State Boy »

while looking at the can pic...WD40 immediately poped into my head, Then I scroll down and see that others thought that too.
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#18

Post by FLAFUN »

thanks guys you are the best !!!!!! :smt023
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Re: how much acid do i use per gallon and how long do i soak can

#19

Post by Diamond State Boy »

Be sure to post an after pic :cool:
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