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Northwestern Gardening

Saving a favorite watering can

16 years ago

I have a nice metal watering can that's been a favorite of mine. I was just sprinkling a solution of fish fertilizer on some of my potted plants when I realized that this watering can has developed a small hole in the bottom. I can see where another hole is about to pop. I am thinking that if I could find some kind of resin material, I could put tape on the underside of the watering can to plug the holes temporarily, pour in the resin, and when it dries I will have a watertight can again. Does anyone know of a material I could use for this purpose?

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Comments (4)

pianojuggler
16 years ago
JB Weld is great stuff. They also have a product called Waterweld which will set even when applied under water, but since you can dry out your can before making the repair, that's probably not necessary.

Gorilla Glue is also super and you'll find plenty of other uses for it around the house.

Any other epoxy product will work, but epoxy requires mixing and can be a pain to use.

A couple tips:

Clean the area thoroughly. Take a bit of sandpaper, steel wool, or even that pot scrubber thingy from your kitchen and rough up the surface around the hole. This will help the adhesive stick. Note, though, that if your watering can is galvanized, you don't want to scratch off the zinc coating except where the adhesive is going to go, or it will rust.

Read the instructions for the adhesive, particularly about "cure" time. Wait at least the specified time--or even twice that long--before you use the can.

Good luck.
newgeneral
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you, Pianojuggler. I will give it a try.
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mdvaden_of_oregon
16 years ago
I'd second that JB weld.

Either that or a bit of that black pond foam that swells. It's tough stuff.

A bit too spendy to buy a can for a small application.
newgeneral
Original Author
16 years ago
I used gorilla glue to plug the hole and to treat some areas that were ready to develop holes. Then I sprayed the whole bottom with primer so that it wouldn't develop rust where I sanded it. I think it will last me a long time now. Thanks!

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