One of the questions I get all the time is:
How do you prep old oil cans to make photos on?
Short answer is you cut them up and make plates.
Long answer is a little more involved, so here’s exactly how I do it.
Where I Find Reclaimed Metal for Tintypes
It always starts the same way:
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Local antique shops
- Yard sales
- Anywhere that has old automobilia
I’m usually looking for stuff from the 1930s through the 1980s. Oil cans, gas cans, transmission fluid, brake fluid, brake cleaner, WD-40, PB Blaster. Anything tied to automotive history.
Bonus points if it’s something local to Ohio or something tied to the Big Three.
The goal is simple. Find something that already has a story before I ever put an image on it.
Step 1: Empty the Can Safely
Once you’ve got your can, first step is obvious but important:
Empty it. Safely and responsibly.
A lot of these still have residue in them, and some of that stuff is not something you want on your hands or in your lungs.
- Work in a well-ventilated area
- Use gloves
- Dispose of anything properly
Also, use leather gloves or something similar when handling the metal. Old cans can have sharp edges and will absolutely cut you up if you’re not paying attention.
Step 2: Cut the Can Into a Flat Plate
This is where it starts to look like something usable.
I’ll usually:
- Cut the top and bottom off
- Then cut along the seam
I have an angle grinder, but I hate using it for this. Most of the time I just use tin snips and work my way through it.
You end up with a rough, flattened sheet of metal.
Step 3: Initial Cleaning
Once it’s opened up:
- Wipe it down with a paper towel
- Drop it into an ultrasonic cleaner
- Wipe it down again
After that:
- Hit it with brake cleaner or carb cleaner
- Wipe it down again
- Let it dry
At this point you’re just trying to get rid of oils, residue, and anything that will interfere with the chemistry later.
Step 4: Cut to Plate Size
Now that you’ve got clean metal, it’s time to size it.
I use a cheap paper cutter to get consistent sizes:
- 4×5
- 5×7
- Occasionally 8×10
Most of the time I’m working in 4×5 or 5×7 because that’s what vintage cans will realistically give you.
Finding material big enough for 8×10 is possible, but not common.
Step 5: Prep the Surface
This step matters more than people think.
Take some 0000 steel wool and go over the surface where you want to make the image.
What this does:
- Removes rust
- Evens things out slightly
- Gives the collodion something to grab onto
Then:
- Quick hit with brake cleaner
- Wipe it down
- Let it dry again
Now you’ve got a clean, workable surface.
Step 6: Applying the Black Base (Japanning)
Traditional tintypes rely on a dark surface to make the image visible.
With reclaimed metal, that means you need to create that dark base yourself.
There are a lot of recipes out there. I use John Coffer’s method because I’ve seen it work in person.
Some people use asphaltum, which is simpler, but I prefer mixing my own.
My Japanning Process
I use two different recipes for the coats.
First coat (Recipe #1):
- Pour Japan onto the plate
- Let it dry for about 30 minutes
- Bake at 325°F for about 35 minutes
- Let it cool in the oven
Second coat (Recipe #2):
- Pour onto the plate
- Let it dry for about 30 minutes
- Bake at 250°F for about 30 minutes
- Let it cool in the oven
If it’s not dark enough, I’ll repeat additional coats using the second recipe.
Step 7: Ready for the Tintype Process
Once the plate looks right, that’s it.
It’s ready for collodion.
From there, it follows the standard wet plate collodion process:
- Pour collodion
- Sensitize in silver nitrate
- Expose
- Develop
- Fix
- Wash
- Varnish
If you want the full breakdown of that, I’ve got it here:
https://redrabbitphoto.com/tintype-process/
Why Go Through All This?
Because it changes the final image completely.
You’re not just making a photograph. You’re making it on something that already existed, already had a purpose, and already has wear, texture, and history.
Especially with automotive subjects, it just fits.
A classic car on a piece of vintage oil can metal makes way more sense than a perfectly clean, factory plate.
Reclaimed Metal Tintypes in Central Ohio
I offer reclaimed metal tintype sessions in Central Ohio, including Columbus and surrounding areas.
These are more custom and depend on available materials, but they produce completely one-of-a-kind pieces.
If you’re interested in booking or seeing examples:
https://redrabbitphoto.com/tintype/
You can also check out my automotive photography work here:
https://redrabbitphoto.com/automotive/