11-23-2011, 11:24 PM
Place cardboard on a concrete floor in the garage. Set the metal caps can on two small blocks of 4" x 4" wood (holding metal can ends only) tar side down on top of the cardboard. Do this in a well ventilated area and don't breath anymore of the fumes than possible. Use a Milwaukee electric heat gun turned on high, and start heating the can all the way around with heat gun about 4" away from the metal can. Move the heatgun to get all the tar dripping out equally. Keep heating the can till the tar starts melting and dripping on the cardboard below ( usually about 8- 10 minutes). After a few extra minutes of working the heat evenly around the metal can, all the tar and caps will usually fall out the bottom of the can in a melted state of mess. If extra force is needed, wear heavy cloth gloves and use big pliers to hold the metal can, and a screwdriver or corkscrew to help dig out any remaining contents. Use more heat as necessary until job is done. Let cool, clean metal can inside and out, re-paint if necessary, and install new caps. Throw the cardboard away after all the old melted tar and contents cool off, no messin' up the wifes kitchen oven or funky smells indoors makes for a happy home!! Have been there and done it both ways before.