We always advise our customers to inspect the shipping container when receiving but most important thing is after you receive it, don’t expect to immediately be able to put things in them. Most of them are used for different merchandise, sometimes toxic or sometimes just regular merchandise. By toxic materials, we mean those ones that are non lethal and they are toxic when the shipping container is sealed and that made them toxic, not that bio hazard toxic materials. The shipping containers happen to carry coffee or other spices that they need a special environment, that when sealed makes them toxic, but after empty the shipping container might have still the toxic material sticker on it. Some of them might have some white powder in the corners or on the floor, it might just have carried flour or construction trowel or plaster. Don’t be scared of any material you find inside your shipping container, since they are inspected at the yard inside and out just to make sure they are in one category. They are never released to the customers with dangerous materials in them or that have carried dangerous materials in them.

Inspect the container and ensure the dust and dirt is completely removed. Use a broom or a mop, but the best would be a leaf blower and start cleaning from the back of the container to the front. By doing that you avoid having any seeds, pollen, liquids, smells, stains, etc. Air compressors and leaf blowers are both great options for airing out your container. Whether or not you see pollen or seeds in the container, a strong blower will get rid of most of the detached stuff floating around your container.

When you but a used shipping container you have to understand that the box was sitting in a yard, or it’ been over seas many times and was exposed to different extreme weather conditions. Don’t expect the conex box to be flawless. It might have some surface rust, some minors scuffs or dents. It’s inevitable not to have some minor wear and tear. We always recommend our customers to power wash it and paint it after delivery. To ensure that you use the pressure washer properly, you have to wear a set of safety glasses or goggles. Since you will be doing work in a confined area and anything that is sprayed on can bounce around the shipping container and cause injury, it is vital to have eye protection. Just like the step above, always start from the back and work your way to the front. Corners need to be given special attention because they trap the most dirt. The floor as well needs to be properly inspected as well because they could be rust and dirt that needs to be scrubbed. When the shipping container is dry and all the dents can clearly be seen, you can start thinking about getting it repaired. Once the inside is cleaned to your satisfaction, you can now focus on cleaning outside with the pressure washer which will also expose any weaknesses that need fixing.

After pressure washing inspect outside and inside for any signs of corrosion or rust. When you are walking around inspecting the container and you see some rust on it, worry not as this can easily be fixed by a rust remover and white vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also works a treat too if you have it around. The vinegar needs to be applied on the rusted area and then rubbed with a brush or a cloth. If the vinegar is not effective and is not producing the results quickly enough, you can rub the rust off with aluminium foil.

After the container is dry, you should go over with medium grit sandpaper. A belt sander is something that is very effective when carrying out this process. You will not be required to take out all the paint, it is recommended to attack any spots where the shipping container shows signs of wear, flaking and peeling.

When you are finished with the sandpaper, you need to apply what is known as a primer coat of paint. A nice primer coat will protect the shipping container against corrosion, moisture and make it stronger.

We strongly recommend once the primer coat has dried up, apply a thick, exterior paint both outside and inside of your shipping container. There are many exterior paints that will do the job on your container but it is advised to buy from reputable places to get the best paint for the job.