Carborundum Valve Grinding Compound tin

[Northwoods]

I have one of these two-part tins with decades of grime.
What would be a successful way to clean it without destroying the graphics?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CARBORUNDUM-VALVE-GRINDING-COMPOUND-TIN-EMPTY/153400169283?hash=item23b75cd343:g:0FAAAOxyA4ZRSMsp

[Bill Houghton]

I'd start with the most gentle soaps you've got.  It's been a while since I've used it, but Murphy's Oil Soap has come up in the past for cleaning greasy grimy gopher-guts kind of stuff.

[Northwoods]

I've got Dawn.  It cleans oily waterfowl in the commercials.  Maybe....

[oldgoaly]

I'd avoid rubbing anything against the metal, going to be some residual lapping compound on the can.  Water down some dawn, spray it on rinse, repeat as needed.

[Northwoods]

I'd avoid rubbing anything against the metal, going to be some residual lapping compound on the can.  Water down some dawn, spray it on rinse, repeat as needed.

Good thought.  The Indian heads on the two lids are beginning to appear.