strange white stuff

[tomale]

I picked up a steel gas can the other day with the purpose of storing race fuel in it.. There is no rust inside but there is this white stuff, the can looks like it is galvinized so I am wondering if it is some kind reaction to that, any Ideas how to deal with it.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[tacrac]

I certainly can't say for sure what it is but by any chance has the can had regular gas in it before ?
Every year when I clean out the carb bowl in my lawnmover I find very fine white sludge.  It is probably sediment from the great gas we now get at the pump

[tomale]

I have no idea if the can ever had gas in it or not.. Actually it looks like the stuff I cleaned out of my ignition cover on my KTM after it had been sitting for so many years.. Magnesium and moister just do not get along..  its  got me to thinking. thanks for the input.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[t20sl]

If the can is galvanized then the white stuff could be corrosion.  Galvanizing is nothing but an almost pure zinc coating but under humid conditions and low oxygen it will definitely corrode. White corrosion is a common problem that affects the zinc coating on galvanized steel. Zinc reacts by oxidizing. This leaves a white corrosive material on the steel that can cause extensive rusting.
Ted  

[tomale]

Ted, thats what I kind of thought, the can looks like it has been closed up for a long time which means there would be low oxygen and any tempature changes could cause there to be moisture, would a solution of vinger and water clean that up?

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki