I have some rusty stove tins. I'm wondering whether to de-rust them and then spray them a suitable colour. This will mean that I obliterate all the original painted design but they look so scruffy, all rusted and faded. Or should I just thow them out? What do you do with your rusted tins?. Dave.
Hey, Dave, I think it's all a matter of personal choice, when it comes to stove tins. Personally, I would NOT toss them out, but that's just me! I would try to arrest the rust, and clean them up as best you can. I would not repaint them, but, again, that's just me. Ross Mellows, when he was here recently, told me that he uses non-silicone products to clean and preserve his tins. Ross, how about a primer on exactly how you go about it? I know that would be something of interest to lots of us. I was using WD-40 on mine, but I may change, if there is a better way to do it. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Once you get rid of all the rust, a light coat of boiled linseed oil will prevent it coming back. You should be able to see any remaining graphics through it as well.
Paint reconditioner (the rougher grade, for badly weathered paint) is good for removing smaller rust spots, 'flattening' larger ones, and generally upgrading the whole appearance - to be used with care though, because it's only too easy to scrub away cherished details in the process. It's certainly a good idea first to loosen the worst rust by soaking in WD40, and afterwards protecting the whole thing in bolied linseed oil - or even better, a premium grade weapons oil such as Ballistol. (don't know though if this is at all availabe outside here and Germany, where it comes from and is a household word; maybe too in Austria - Motorang might tell us more about that? Fascinating stuff, useful for almost anything, such as anti-sunburn and -mosquito oil, and even - as I recently discovered - as shaving oil) Jur
Thanks for the advice guys. I too would like to know what Ross' technique for restoring tins is. I was going to put the tins in the electrolytic rust removal bath. But I have found it to be an excellent paint stripper. I got off all the old paint from mr 8R this way in great sheets. Dave.
Ballistol is available in every gun shop and store that sells guns in the US. Excellent stuff. I have even used it for cough syrup. Place two or three drops on the back of the tongue. Allow it to drip slowly down the throat, do not swallow. (I was desperate, OK ? ) Nordicthug
Never heard of that one before! But - did it work? Anyway, swallowing probably should do no harm; Ballistol is (supposed to be) completely organic and non-toxic, having been developed - so the story goes - as an all-purpose oil (quite literally) for German soldiers in WW I. Maybe, maybe not, but it certainly goes a long way many years ago I bought a half-liter bottle of the stuff, which somehow never ever gets empty. Jur
Yes it did. Not swallowing is to allow more time in contact with the irritated area. I use Ballistol for lots of lubricating and cleaning tasks. I first got some in a tiny 1 1/2 oz. plastic applicator bottle, then bought a half liter bottle. I'll likely hand it down to my grandchildren. Ballistol is one of those products like 3in1 oil and Vice Grips that have more uses than the makers ever dreamed they could have. Another Product that's been around since the late thirties and I just found a couple of years ago is an adhesive called "Val-A Tear Mender." Since I learned of it I have a small bottle in each of my campers, my boat, both cars, my Mountain man gear and backpack as well as my basement shop. Do a GOOGLE for it. Indespinsible. NT
i may well be commiting a sin here , but cant we protect the tiins with car polish (wax) i use wd40 to get rid od the bad rust then merely polish with a few layers of qulaity car wax/polish like autoglym
Morning, Biffa, I think you have hit upon what Ross told me that he used!! If my memory serves, and sometimes it doesn't (!), I think Ross said he used Simonize car wax, or something like that!! I would think that wax would protect whatever paint is left, just as it does for our cars. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
I received two 71's today and used Breakfree CLP to clean up the rust. Breakfree is a solvent based Cleaner, Lubricant, Preservative used mostly as a gun cleaner and lube. It does a good job with rust. I used a piece of synthetic steel wool and the rust emulsified, then I used a clean rag to wipe it clean. I have another oil based CLP that makes a great preservative, but "Renaissance Wax" should work better for this application of preserving steel. BTW, mine are from '61 and '62.
