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repairing a gas can

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Tmoose

Mechanical
Apr 12, 2003
5,626
One of our red plastic 5 gal gas cans got a few small slits clawed into it by a snow blower.
In one way I'm glad because I hate the Enviro-Flo spout and its extension tube so now have an excuse to chuck the whole d*mne*d thing into the recycle bin.
On the other hand a new, hopefully better designed can will cost about 20 bucks these days, so I am tempted to repair the holes.
Some online stuff suggests epoxy/JB Weld will work.
i don't think epoxy sticks all that well to propylene or whatever it is the can is made of.

Before I fired up the propane torch to heat a screwdriver and start smearing plastic around I figured I'd ask here.

thanks

Dan T
 
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You will lose $20 in gas when your repair leaks, and I'll let you estimate the damage caused by the possible resulting fire. Buy a new can.
 
Let's pretend it is a big water bottle for the sake of argument, in that case I would suggest friction welding. Get a rod of the same type of material (check recycling symbol on the bottom) and chuck it into a drill, pull the trigger and poke it into the cuts. Maybe get a knife and 'bevel' the edges first so you are sure to get complete material addition and not just blending the surface.

But since it is a gas can, probably best to toss it.
 
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