Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Question about a Utica Savage gun oil can

Hello,this is my first post in this forum but I've lurked for quite a while.

I bought a Utica,N.Y. Savage gun oil can that I would like to clean-up,if that's possible to do without hurting the worth of the can,and I'm sure that with all of the know-how on this forum that someone can advise.

It has a red background and is in pretty good shape for it's age with a few small scratches and chips in the graphics but is dark over-all with what is probably many years of dried oil...my concern is what can I use to remove the dried oil that won't damage the graphics?

Thank you in advance for any advice given.

I would try some WD40. Works great on sticky residue and tar. Tom

I wonder if that purple automotive engine degreaser would be the ticket. Mixed with water it strips grease like crazy and looks like concentrated soapy water.

Goo Gone (citrus based)....I'd test in a small inconspicuous area first.

Man-o-man be careful. Anything that will dissolve the dried oil may well dissolve the paint on the can. If there's any oil left in the can, I would try rubbing vigorously with a soft rag wetted with the stuff. Let the stuff be its own solvent, so to speak.

shoot it for a bit with a heat gun or blow dryer to loosen/soften the residue. It might wipe right off... just dont overdue it.

I have a small collection of oil cans and cleaned a few up.

dave

Welcome to the Savage Collector Forum teamprairiedog.
I do not have an oil can, but if I did I would resist the temptation to "clean it up". Could easily mess it up.
Go the misc. good information topic here and figure out how to post pictures and then do it. There are guys here who have oil cans and perhaps could offer some insight as to whether or not to do anything to it.

If you are talking about the top and spout only and not the painted graphics, here's what I would do. Mask off the painted surfaces and look for someone in your area who does "soda blasting" this process while similar to glass beading utilizes baking soda as the media. It is exceedingly gentle, it will remove the oil residue and leave the metal surface looking original. The cost should be negligible for a small item and there is no chance of a "whoops" as is the possibility with home brewed methods.

I'd try regular old hot water and dish soap...

WD-40

plab

I purchased an old oil/grease can last year. Very nice shape. Washed it with mild dish soap and warm water. All the paint ran and I pretty much wrecked my antique. I would leave any painted surfaces alone. Good luck!

I have a couple of minutes in my collecting life I wish I could have back due to thinking something should be cleaned. In those cases it was best left alone. It's a bad feeling when it happens.