Fixing Scratched Interior
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:17
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kingkennas
Hi all
I've got a job where I constantly have to fill up jerry cans from the nearby servo and take them back for machinery and burning, both petrol and diesel.
The boss hates plastic jerry cans and only lets us use steel ones and this isn't for crossing the Canning, this is for a five minute drive in a cold area to fill up one of the mowers or something.
There's one problem with all this, all the steel jerry cans I've had in my car through time (steel jerry cans with sharp edges) I've got the odd scratch on
places like my inside door handles, the front of the glove box etc. This is an 80 series.
Silly thing about it all, the boss hates plastic jerry cans sooo much saying that they're not strong enough, but the steel jerry cans he gives us are 40 years old and don't seal properly, another problem, I get the odd fuel on my carpet.
With them not sealing properly, I have to keep them stored upright, which makes a tricky situation for me, they aren't perfectly secure and they rub and scratch the sides of my doors and the front of the glove box.
There's probably 6 in total ranging from 1 cm to 2 inches, normally about 1 cm thick, maybe half a cm for some.
I've tried Armoral and it doesn't even discise it.
Before I go asking the boss to fix it and possibly losing my next promotion or pay rise, can anyone tell me any special polish or something along those lines that will fix this, or any tricks I can do?
It's an 80 series with
grey interior, like I say I've already tried Armoral.
Thanks
Reply By: Muntoo - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:22
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:22
Couple of suggestions:
Tell the boss to provide a car
Use plastic jerry cans, its not his car
Tell him to get stuffed (not a good suggestion)
Make up a little box and store them in the back somewhere. Have straps in it to hold them down and some rag to soak up spillage.
Get a new dash and interior
I honestly would have put the cans in the rear to begin with but each to thier own.
AnswerID:
413046
Follow Up By: kingkennas - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:27
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:27
Can't put them in the rear, got a huge storage system, the old catch 22 to having a storage system, when you need to fit the golf clubs and shopping in the back during the week, you've only got your back seats.
One thing I forgot to mention everyone, when I say 'scratches' I don't mean the plastic has a big physical scratch through it, just a layer of the colouring is off.
The scratch itself is a
bright grey / silver and the normal interior is a darkish
grey.
FollowupID:
683084
Reply By: happytravelers - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:36
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:36
It's not the bosses car that's getting damaged here. If he can't supply you with a vehicle to transport the fuel then he shouldn't expect you to put forty year old leaking fuel containers in yours. There's also a big question over OH&S here.
Sorry I can't help with the scuff problem, I've got several in my 80 series and would also like to know of any remedies.
Jon
AnswerID:
413049
Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 00:04
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 00:04
If his boss won't supply a trailer or something to carry fuel in do you think he ( the Boss) cares and OH&S.
Mine doesn't. I have a hernia from working for my current employer and a two girls have injured themselves, doesn't want to know us.
Same with a big company i worked for.
FollowupID:
683127
Reply By: Wrong Way Jon - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:43
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 19:43
Hi kingkennas,
Some times I have to carry mower fuel in a jerry can in the front of my 80, so I take a piece of carpet and place it over the can so it protects the dash & the
seat. I even have a thinner strip that protects the door and console.
This is just a thought mind you, try a Dremel tool to grind the scratch out a little then you may be able to colour match it and hand paint it with an artists brush to touch it up. This is if it isn't to deep of a scratch.
As I said it's just a thought.
AnswerID:
413051
Reply By: Member - Amy G (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 20:28
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 20:28
I know you can buy vinyl dye which you can use to change dash colour etc. I have no idea how it would work on a small area though- you'd want to get a pretty good colour match!
AnswerID:
413060
Reply By: PradOz - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 20:33
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 20:33
Have a look in the phone book etc for a local bumper repairer. Apart from repairing the bumper I think most could do interiors too. If not they may know who or ask at a panel
shop
AnswerID:
413063
Reply By: chris_s - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 21:04
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 21:04
I think you have a REAL OH&S problem.
Imagine one spark with fuel vapor or leaked fuel on the floor!!!
AnswerID:
413069
Reply By: kingswoodwagon - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 23:50
Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 23:50
Your solution may lie at www.seek.com
AnswerID:
413088
Follow Up By: Wayne's 60 - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 04:31
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 04:31
An alternate solution may be to use the boss's car, with the same amount of protection around the same old ... non sealing cans ..................
As others have said .................... OH&S regs will have a far larger impact on the current situation.
FWIW .................. would I put my employer's leaking fuel containers into MY pride and joy?? or would I be happy to use his vehicle??
.... and the answer is ............................
Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.
FollowupID:
683139
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 10:04
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 10:04
You have a far bigger issue here than upholstery damage....the risk of an explosion from petrol vapour could kill you & others. Please take the advice above & stop carrying petrol in unsafe containers............oldbaz.
AnswerID:
413128
Reply By: Fab72 - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 12:57
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 12:57
I'm pretty sure there are limits (volume wise) of the amount of flamable liquids you can carry for commercial purposes in a vehicle before you have to place flamable warning signs on the front and back of your vehicle, correctly earthing the containers and be trained in emergency spill response procedures.
There's some legal issues here as
well.
Be careful, the fine applies to the driver as
well as the employer, and from memory, it aint cheap either.
Contact your local MFS for exact details. I think you might find that the holding vessels are meant to be tested every (????) few years. I know it's 6 monthly in SA for pressure vessels, not sure about flamable liquids.
Check with your vehicle insurer as
well. Bet they wouldn't be too happy if they had to foot the bill in the case of a vehicle accident requiring the dispatch of a HAZMAT crew.
The scratches are the least of your worries.
AnswerID:
413139
Reply By: Robin Miller - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 13:48
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 13:48
Fascinating world isn't it , with so different
views.
Wouldn't use anything but plastic jerries in the car and then with only single hole and large diameter screw on cap.
But as for the problem I am afraid that only a plastic repair guy can fix it
well - we have used one who fixes those things up so
well you would not know it was damaged. They finish off with matching paint.
To stop it happening again in a practical manner you need a lubricant between the jerry and the car / jerry holder etc.
What works brillantly is those cheap woven shopping bags that are all around us these days. Most are a nice fit over a jerry but only come up 2/3 of the height, as required we put another over the top and tuck down into the first.
Saves much damaged to both car and jerry, and will soak up the odd drop but
as per other posters - if it leaks don't use it
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 14:42
Friday, Apr 16, 2010 at 14:42
Just on the subject of leaking 40-year-old steel jerry cans,
If they are what I suspect they are (ex-Aust. army), then IMO they remain the very best choice in steel jerries (assuming of course, they have not been abused, and/ or allowed to rust)..
I have several of these, the oldest of which are dated 1952 (which makes them 58 years old!), and they are rock-solid, and have
well and truly stood the test of time.. I fully expect these to out-last me ;-)
However... The lid seals will not last forever!
If they're not sealing properly, then replace the bl@@dy seals!
these are readily (and cheaply) available, the best (IMO) being those sold under the 'ProQuip' label..
I won't get into the plastic vs steel debate, except to say that I have more steel jerries than plastic ones, and prefer to use steel for petrol... (YMMV)
Sorry, can't help w/- your car interior problems, but if/when I carry jerries inside the passenger area, then they go on the floor between the back
seat, & the back of the front
seat w/s suitable cushioning to prevent tnem rubbing on anything...
Regards, Ed C
:)
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member My Profile Send Message |
AnswerID:
413150
Reply By: Dr Hook - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 14:45
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 14:45
My local Bumper repairer (he comes to you!) fixed some gouges on my rear bumper (trailer got away from me) and rear fender (
Flinders Ranges Rocky Creekbed) for a very reasonable price (3 gouges for $120), and while he was there, he touched up some deep interior scratches (including interior door armrests etc, which sufferred considerable abrasion from
camp gear bouncing over 2000kms of corrugations over Anne Beadell/Connie Sue highwayds) - he did this without extra charge!
Can't see where they were, even in good light.
Dr Hook
AnswerID:
413549