sap bucket paint??

[vermontpure]

can i use any paint to cover rust spots in sap buckets? any inperfections should boil out...correct??

[OldManMaple]

Ask this again in 45 days

[DrTimPerkins]

can i use any paint to cover rust spots in sap buckets? any inperfections should boil out...correct??

No, you cannot.

[mapleack]

There are food grade epoxy paints out there, but it isn't worth the time and money. If you have to use rusty buckets either get plastic liners for them (they're out there) or drill holes in the bottoms and use them for flower pots. Rusted buckets can be big sources of lead contamination. Boiling will only concentrate the lead in the syrup. Please don't use rusty buckets.

[vermontpure]

thanks for the input guys but i guess i dont understand why i cant just paint them. their are plenty of paints that claim to be "nontoxic when dry" and the paint would be dry before i put them out. im new to all this and i want to do it rite but money is tight but i want to be safe.

[jmayerl]

If you really want to use buckets then go to a bakery and get some food grade plastic ones. We don't need anymore government involment or regulations so let's please not try and introduce toxic stuff to syrup,remember people eat this and give it to small children,

[CBOYER]

First thing to do is to take one of those "non-toxic" paint, and cover internal of all glass you used in the morning breakfeast, for you, your wife, your children. after somes day drinking your morning juice, milk, water you will understand that maple syrup is a pure product, from CONCENTRATION of maple sap...

dont take this as an attack...take this as an advice to help you and your familly.

[vermontpure]

Ok,thanks again and yes, i kinda figured that people eat this stuff. I'm not trying to ruffle feathers,just curious. Maybe just get rid of galvanized buckets all together.

[Spolcik]

Money is tight for everyone. Milk jugs work great when you can't buy buckets. If you can't wait for your family to use the milk to get enough Meijer has the fill your own water and you can just buy the empy jug for about $0.59. I use a lot of milk jugs and they work great just run a hose from the tap to a hole in the jug cap and set it on the ground. Easy cheap way to collect sap.

[vermontpure]

Thanks spolcik. Ive got 50 buckets that are great which is enough for this year but i have another 55 that have dime size or bigger rust spots and was just curious weather they could be used or not. My wife already claimed some for planters. How bout spouts with small rust spots? Can they be used?

[happy thoughts]

How bout spouts with small rust spots? Can they be used?
The fact that they rusted makes me wonder what they're made of. Aluminum and Stainless shouldn't rust. Could they be old plated taps? If so, I'd be very worried about lead. I'd replace them if you're the least bit unsure. Taps are cheap enough especially the plastic ones.

Here's a good link from UVM about lead in older equipment.

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/LeadOut.pdf

[mapleack]

The clear straight spouts from lapiere work fine for buckets, and are affordable at 14 cents. Rusted galvanized taps can also be a big lead source.

[noreast maple]

Replace rusty buckets with sap sacks or some call them bags. bags are cheaper then buckets , just a thought!!!!!!