Spirit can refurbish

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by Etherman, Dec 4, 2022.

  1. Etherman

    Etherman United States Subscriber

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    Here is a quick and easy method to repair small pin holes often found in spirit cans.

    The label states good for: Stops rust, corrosion and leaks.
    -Seals Pinholes & seams
    -Non porous flexible film
    -Resistant to all fuels, alcohol's & additives

    I originally applied the POR 15 to find it would weep out of the small holes. I later used electrical tape applied with sticky side out to avoid having sticky residue left on the can. After wrapping tightly I add a small amount of POR 15. Next I rotated the can to add a thin coating, essentially making a seal tight liner within the can.

    23010207-2674-4BC0-8F5A-7DFAD47ECCF6.jpeg
    AD45DF76-9A3B-4AD4-86C2-407AFF08D5FF.jpeg 9B9EA34C-6605-4989-A7D7-AE9B9A92FD01.jpeg 13B62718-8A84-48E3-873D-7CD88799B3E5.jpeg 2B36A498-2972-4ABB-9C0A-6536958AD130.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2022
  2. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom PotY Winner SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    You’ll agree it’s uneconomical to commit a can of POR15 to the one repair @Etherman, so do you have a method to prevent the bulk of the remaining solution in the can from solidifying, as it’s prone to do once opened?
     
  3. threedots

    threedots New Zealand Subscriber

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    Good idea but I think methylated spirits(alcohol) will break down the sealer and render it useless as what happened when I tried it. Hopefully the product you have used may be more able to withstand alcohol.
     
  4. Etherman

    Etherman United States Subscriber

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    @presscall Hi, yes I would agree using what was a very small amount of an 8 oz can for one repair would not be a good utilisation of this product.

    Looking at the picture date's from previous uses, I did a repair on a stress cracked fount 8/14/2021. I used this same can 2/5/2022 for the spirit can repair. I today gave the can a shake and the contents appear to be viscous and good. Being no expert on the product, the once opened & all contents will harden has not been my experience.

    CB070286-ACE0-4FEB-951E-E86D06893FA4.jpeg

    @threedots So far the this has held up to both kerosene & alcohol:thumbup: I'm curious if the product that failed you was rated for alcohol..
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2022
  5. threedots

    threedots New Zealand Subscriber

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    @Etherman. Sorry my mistake - I see that the product you use is resistant to alcohol. :oops:
     
  6. Pancho United States

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    punch a hole in the lid and put good sticking tape in the hole after use. You can use a syringe to extract the material from the por15 can.
    I think of one guy from CCF who did this, he’s not here I bet. Gunhippie aka Timm over CCF
     
  7. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    @ROBBO55 advises to make a small hole in the POR 15 can, pour out what you need, and seal it with a screw.

    I’ve done this and kept POR 15 ‘alive’ for a few years.

    Tony
     
  8. G1gop United Kingdom

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    Would is not of been cheaper and (IMHO) better to solder the holes? It's not a pressure container.
     
  9. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

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    ...and refresh, too.
     
  10. Etherman

    Etherman United States Subscriber

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    Cheaper, likely so. Better, could be a matter of opinion. To solder the many holes, a thorough cleaning would have removed much of the graphics, enlarged the holes and only solved one issue, attempting to remedy. Alcohol being hygroscopic, having drawn moisture inside the can began to rust from the inside out. Stopping the rust and adding a sealing liner was the chosen route in extending the life of this spirit can.
     
  11. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    I tried to solder them several times.

    Rotten metal did not take it well.
    No way to prepare the inside.
    Soldering destroyed the outside.