In breezing through the “classics” I read Cecil’s piece about the thin coating inside Coke cans that prevent the liquid from eating through the metal.
I have it on good authority that Coke will indeed eat through the can, given the time. Usually within about a year or so.
When, during the Atlanta Olympics, some prankster at the printing plant replaced “…the red disc icon…” in the copyright message on the carton with “…the red dick icon…” thousands of 12-packs had to be recalled and destroyed. But not before my good friend (who works for Coke) grabbed me one. Hey, collectibles being what they are…
I was shocked when I received a corner of the carton in the mail instead of the whole thing. The collectibility was gone! I frantically called my friend and requested another 12-pack, but the whole thing, and unopened. “I have to take the cans out…they won’t store.” When asked to explain, this Coca-Cola employee informed me that over time the stuff will indeed eat through the can. “Tiny pin holes…” to be exact.
So I have an empty collectible Olympic Coca-Cola 12-pack carton with an obscenity on it. I have not stored a can of Coke for over a year to test this information. I trust the source. “We don’t really tell people that…” was my friend’s explanation.
I have to disagree with you on the coke eating through the cans.I just cleaned out my uncles house and found a case of coke with a coupon for Great America that expired in 94.So that can had to be atleast 7 years old.
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Ditto to fenrir. I took a can of Coke to a net.gathering in Connecticut back in 1996 to give as a gift to someone who didn’t end up coming.
So, the Coke stayed in my car from then on in his honour, and I told him it would stay there until I saw him next and could give it to him.
It remained in the front cup holder in my car for two years after that, until the Washington, DC summer heat finally had its way with the can. The top of the can popped up from the increased pressure inside. But, it’s still sealed.
The can is now in my kitchen cabinet and there’s no leaking or any disfiguration except for the pressure burst.