We recently came across a wonderful new company that upcycles vintage military jerrycans into stylish mobile and portable bars – and they rely on Owatrol Oil to finish and protect their creations!
The interview
Intrigued by their product, we reached out for an interview to learn more about them and their process.
Tell us a little about your business.
My name is Daan Held and at 24 years old, I’m proud to be the founder of Glenguardian. At Glenguardian, I transform vintage military jerrycans, most of which date back to World War Two, into detailed Jerrycan Bars. My lifelong interest in WWII history, combined with a passion for craftsmanship, led me to this unique idea.
Fast forward to the summer of 2023, I decided to take things further by exploring new designs. I created three distinct versions: the whisky-inspired ‘The Jacobite,’ the gin-focused ‘The Gintleman,’ and the wine-centred ‘The Bacchus.’ After seeing a growing interest in my products and successfully making some sales, I knew it was time to turn my passion into a business. In August 2023, Glenguardian was officially born.
Based in northern France, I source most of the jerrycans locally. These jerrycans serve as silent remnants of the troops who pushed forward to liberate Europe in 1944/1945 and I feel honoured to give these jerrycans a second life. By upcycling these historical pieces, I create not just luxury decor, but, as I like to call them, functional pieces of art.
Where/When did you first hear about Owatrol Oil?
I grew up in the Dutch countryside, where I spent a lot of time working together with my father on various projects – mostly Land Rovers and boats. Owatrol Oil was a staple in our shed. We used it for just about everything: protecting new parts from rusting, mixing it with paint or varnish to enhance durability, preserving original parts and more. It was a go-to product for ensuring our projects would last for many years to come.
What made you decide to you use Owatrol Oil for your work?
I’ve been using Owatrol Oil for as long as I can remember and its consistent quality is the main reason I’ve stuck with it. It has always delivered reliable results, which is why I trust it for my pieces over other products on the market.
Which of your products do you use Owatrol Oil on?
At Glenguardian, I use Owatrol Oil on the exterior of the jerrycans. After thoroughly cleaning them, I apply the oil directly with a paintbrush. It’s always fascinating to see the hidden colours emerge from beneath the rust. Each time, I’m amazed at how Owatrol Oil revives the original shades, allowing my Jerrycan Bars to truly stand out.
How much oil do you typically use on each piece?
I use a generous amount to ensure each jerrycan gets a solid protective layer. However, with 1L of Owatrol Oil, I’ve managed to cover around 25 jerrycans, so it’s pretty efficient!
Which method of application do you use?
I primarily use a brush when applying it to the jerrycans, ensuring even coverage and protection. However, for more delicate projects, I prefer to apply it with a rag to create a thinner, more subtle layer.
Anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to extend my thanks to Owatrol UK for allowing me to share my story and introduce my business. If you’re interested in seeing more of my (future) projects, I warmly invite you to visit my website or follow me on social media. If you’d like to order a custom Glenguardian Jerrycan Bar, feel free to reach out via email or direct message on any of my social platforms.
More about Owatrol Oil
Owatrol Oil is a deeply-penetrating, rust-inhibiting oil and oil-based coatings conditioner.
When used alone as a rust inhibitor, it saturates deep into the surface, pushing out any excess moisture and air. This process stops rust from causing further degradation and provides a tough yet flexible finish.
Once dry, the surface can then be overcoated as paints can firmly adhere to it, or alternatively, it can be left as a clear protective coat.
Owatrol Oil is available in a variety of sizes, from 125ml to 20 litres and is suitable for both internal and external uses. Owatrol Oil is a versatile product that everyone should have in their toolkit.
A huge thank you to Daan of Glenguardian for using Owatrol Oil on these amazing pieces and for allowing us to interview him. You can learn more about him via his website as well as on his social media pages listed below:
Images and video credit to Daan Held of Glenguardian.
We hope you found this post on vintage military jerrycans upcycled into bars with Owatrol Oil interesting! If you have any other advice or top tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
You can also follow Owatrol UK on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok at @OwatrolUK or join the conversation at #OwatrolUK
About Owatrol Team
Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.
Will this be ok to use on a bed frame that has got rust on the nut and bolts.
Hi there Diane,
Owatrol oil is safe to use for internal projects and will prevent the nuts and bolts from further rusting, however, it will not remove the rust that is already present.
For further assistance, please feel free to give us a call on: 01582 592707 or email us directly at: tech@owatroluk.com
All the best,
The Owatrol Team