How to Repair Rusted Gas Cans

Empty the gas can of any leftover fuel. Fill the gas can with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Thoroughly wash out the gas can. Remove the can's lid and allow the can to air dry. The soap will allow the water to dry before forming more rust inside the can.

Sandblast the rust off the gas can. If a sandblaster is not available, use sandpaper to remove rust by hand. Completely sand the old paint off the can down to bare metal if necessary.

If any holes are discovered in the tin gas cans, lead them in with auto body lead. Remove the lid from the gas can. Heat the bare metal slightly with a torch while sliding the lead stick over the hot metal and melting the solder into the holes to seal the can. Wear welding gloves when performing this task. Take care not heat the can so much that it warps the metal.

Place P-gravel, which is small uniform gravel stones the size of peas, and a cup of sandblasting sand inside the gas can. Cap the gas can and shake it vigorously to move the P-gravel and sand around inside to remove the rust from the metal.

Empty all the sand and gravel from the can. Fill the can with a warm water and dishwashing liquid combination to clean the inside of the can again. This procedure may need to be repeated to thoroughly clean the inside of the gas can. Remove the can's lid and allow the can to completely air dry before painting.

Spray primer on the bare metal of the can. Allow the primer on the can to dry. The can is now prepared for finish painting and labeling as desired.