How do you get the gas smell out of an old gas can?

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Permalink Reply by Dave Scudamore on April 11, 2010 at 11:32pm

Just spitballing here but what about filling it with odor absorbing cat litter for a while? Dave

Permalink Reply by Brian Watson on April 12, 2010 at 10:27am

One thing I use to defunk coolers that have had fish, deer, and other smelly stuff in them is vanilla flavoring. It masks other odors very well and is pleasant without a heavy chemical smell.

For coolers I put some on a paper towel, wipe it down good, then leave the paper towel in the cooler for a day or so and no more smell.
For a gas can you could put a couple of tablespoons in the can and swish it around and let it sit for a little while and that should take care of it.

Permalink Reply by Warren on April 13, 2010 at 7:46pm

Thanks Brian and Dave. I'm on it - vanilla and some oil absorbent (kinda like kitty litter). It HAS to make it better. After a couple weeks, I'll give it a look. Maybe baking soda if this doesn't work.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 13, 2010 at 7:49pm

Start with hot soap and water and wash it out good, rinse it a million times, wash it again, then try the other suggestions. you need to get all the gas residue out or it will never stop smelling.

Permalink Reply by Warren on April 13, 2010 at 8:05pm

Thanks Michael - (I should have read this 10 minutes sooner). I tried dish soap to start with; it helped and sounds like I should have done it longer and more vigorously. (I thought about mineral spirits to cut the residue, but never tried it). I've been wondering how long it would take to get all that speedy dry out of the can. Reckon I'll find out sooner then later and try some more soap.

MichaelS said:

Start with hot soap and water and wash it out good, rinse it a million times, wash it again, then try the other suggestions. you need to get all the gas residue out or it will never stop smelling.

Permalink Reply by Warren on April 17, 2010 at 9:54pm

Well, here's the results. First, it's probably cheaper to buy a new gas can. Having said that, here's what worked reasonably well for me.

Michael nailed the key point - there was still residue on the (inside) bottom of the can. I poured about a quart of lacquer thinner in the can with a handful of 1/4-20 nuts and shook the crap out of it. I let the thinner set overnight, then poured it out and rinsed with water and dish soap 4 or 5 times (I lost track). It might have been a good idea to leave the soapy water in the can overnight, but I was in a hurry and it smelled OK (trace lacquer thinner, but nothing like before).

My canjo is allowed in the house now - hey, the basement counts :)

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 21, 2010 at 8:57am

Hey good job, and I forgot about the nuts trick. I collect vintage outboard motors and have to clean the scuzzy gas out of those old tanks and 2 stroke mix can really stick up inside a tank! They never come in the house so the smell is ok. Sometimes we need to weld up an aluminum tank so it needs to be real clean and fume free, for obvious reasons.

Warren said:

Well, here's the results. First, it's probably cheaper to buy a new gas can. Having said that, here's what worked reasonably well for me.

Michael nailed the key point - there was still residue on the (inside) bottom of the can. I poured about a quart of lacquer thinner in the can with a handful of 1/4-20 nuts and shook the crap out of it. I let the thinner set overnight, then poured it out and rinsed with water and dish soap 4 or 5 times (I lost track). It might have been a good idea to leave the soapy water in the can overnight, but I was in a hurry and it smelled OK (trace lacquer thinner, but nothing like before).

My canjo is allowed in the house now - hey, the basement counts :)