Sodatheology - Part 2 : Got A Sick Can....?

So, you are a coke cans collector, welcome to the neighborhood - welcome to my neighborhood. When I got started collecting cans in 2000, I was by myself,....the stranger in a stranger land type thing looking around alone the cans. I would buy a cans, put it on my shelf and yahoo! I had a collection. Geeeee....was I in a shock years later when my cans made a sticky green and dark fuzzy mess on my shelf and floor. I discovered that cans LEAK!. Not exactly rocket science, but of major importance just a same.

So, all you rookie cans collectors stop right now and go empty your cans before the mess come to you. My suggestion is to poke at least one hole in the bottom of the cans or underneath the pull ring. Value is determined by the outside of the cans not by the can's contents. Then I have also found the need to keeps cans out of the sunlight, extreme heat, humidity and free from friction. Sunlight will fade them over time as will heat. Constant handling, or poor packing will scratch them and moisture will cause them to rust and corrode.

If you have been the victim of leakage or other unfortunate cans damage, I have some tips and tricks to help repair or rejuvenate your cans.

1. Drain all new cans before display them in your collection.

2. If you cans has leaked, but nothing else, drain the rest - it will contain a moldy slime that will eventually eat a hole in the bottom.

3. If your cans has faded, the only thing you can do is take it out of direct light and heat and protect it.

4. If your cans is dented, you might try a) applying gentle pressure to the outside of the cans to manipulate it back into shape b) having poked a hole already, attempt to blow in the hole and inflate it like a balloon c)fill can with soda, plug the hole, shake it and allow pressure to push it into shape d) fill cans with water, plug hole, place in freezer and allow water to freeze and expand the cans.

5. If your cans has expanded on the top, be sure it's empty, then get a hammer, screwdriver and piece of cloth - set the cans upright, lay the cloth on the cans top, place screwdriver on the dent/hump and gently tap the deformation back into shape. Be sure not to hit too hard.

6. If your cans has expanded on the bottom, be sure it's empty, then get a small rubber mallet or ball pen hammer and a cloth - place the cans upside down, gently tap the dent back down enough or allow the cans to sit flush.

7. If your cans is missing a pull tab / pull ring, get a replacement part from others cans, removing it with tweezers, bending it gently back and forth until it comes off. Then using clear glue and tooth pick lightly coat both the inside edge of the mouth of the cans and outside edge of the tab-laying it gently in place on the glue. Use the pick to adjust the position and allow this to dry.

8. If your cans is rustly maybe you can apply a coating of oxalic acid or you can use model paint to retouch up the missing paint.

As you can see, cans collecting is a little more involved then bottle collecting but can be a really rewarding experience just the same. Till then happy collecting.