How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

[Jeffrey Cohen]

I hope this is the right place to ask.
Regards,
Jeffrey Cohen

[Boucher42]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Inside rust..............hot water and a stiff bottle brush. Dry thoroughly and seal with beeswax. Thus hindering the rusting process.

Outside rust................steel wool, brass bristled brush, steel bristled brush.

This is all I have to offer on the subject of rust.

[lukegilly13]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Someone with experience using it may chime in here...but i've heard that molasses works well. I've been told to use different mixtures (1 to 4 and 1 to 7) depending on the severity. I would think that if this works you may want to treat the inside. If you are not crazy about beeswax, try mineral oil. You can put a little mineral oil inside the canteen after use and shake it up really well...then pour the excess out. Wash the canteen out well before using again or else you'll be visiting the woods quite often throughout the event.
Anyone out there ever tried using molasses on a canteen? It works pretty well on gun barrells.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Discard it and buy a good hot dipped canteen and take good care of it.
If the tin plating is gone on the inside it is very hard to keep the oxidation process under controll. Beeswax might help or some food ok laquer but I doubt it will satisfy you.
I use my hot dipped canteen since 2002. It has little rist spots at the seam now but now rust water yet.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

delete. off topic. my bad.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

George McGillis makes pretty good hot dipepd tin canteens. Some others make hot dipped drum canteens too. George makes moothsides and drum canteens.
Even though they are pricier than the normal ones they are more authentic and last longer

[Coatsy]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Moderator Note: Guys Mr. Cohen is asking for help with cleaning a tin canteen, not getting a new one. So please stick to the topic. Thanks, Herb Coats

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

I hope this is the right place to ask.
Regards,
Jeffrey Cohen

Add water and baking soda to your canteen, and swish it around real good. Rinse canteen out with water, then allow to dry. Repeat.....

[Prodical Reb]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

I've found that "Naval Jelly" (read and heed precautions on NJ bottle, it is an acid) works really well to rid the rust without using an abrasive. Put enough in to coat the entire inside of the canteen and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Repeat as needed. neutralize and rinse w/baking soda solution and rinse some more to rid the BS afterwards. Dry thoroughly in oven on low, then coat w/beeswax immediately afterwards. I like to drop a quarter of a beeswax candle in there let it melt in oven roll it around to coat the entire interior then dump out while hot. Then put in the freezer to set the BW quickly.

[reddcorp]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

I've found it useful to pour some fine gravel, like the kind you put in a fishtank, into the canteen and shake it around a bit. That will loosen up rust accumulation inside the canteen. Several applications of fresh gravel may be required. Then use one of the various methods described above to finish the job.

Andy Redd

P.S. I've tried the beeswax route and found that the beeswax often breaks off after a while and you can easily swallow a chunk. Or, you can be one with the rust. A little bit of the stuff won't hurt you if you can get used to the taste.

[WpnsMan]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Personally, I would be very cautious of using Naval Jelly as it is very caustic and may leave residue that normal rinsing may not totally flush out.

While I haven’t used it on canteens, I have used common white Vinegar to remove rust on musket parts and even bores with success. Fill it up and let it sit for a day or two. While it may take an application or two, I wouldn’t be concerned to drink after using it as it is non-toxic. Used in conjunction with the fish tank gravel as Andy posted above may speed the process if your canteen is severely rusted.

[ndnchf]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

I have used diluted molasses many times to clean everything from rusty bayonets to musket bores. I like a 7:1 water/molasses solution as it is slow but effective and allows you to pour it out periodically to check progress. Depending on how rusty it is, it may take a few hours or a few days. It really does work well, you'll be surprised. The good thing is its safe to use, unlike other harsh chemicals. When you are done, wash it out with hot water and seal with beeswax.

[dixieflyer]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

Has anyone tried using brewers pitch instead of beeswax to seal it after cleaning?

Warren Dickinson

[faabala]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

I'll second the molasses option. It takes a couple weeks but works great. I derusted almost my entire 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA (everything but the frame) in big garbage cans full of molasses and water.

I'm anti beeswax. I still have my first repro federal canteen from 1981 and it has never rusted and never been beeswaxed. I make sure it is empty and roll up a papertowel to wick out any moisture while it hangs upside down in the closet.

[dixieflyer]

Re: How to clean a semi rusty tin canteen?

OK, molasses can be a vague term, depending on where in the country you are. Are y'all talking about black strap sorghum molasses? I would still have my original canteen from'81 as well David, but I got absent minded once, and let it rust after an event. I've never found another decent one since, they're all cheap electro-plate, etc.

Warren