How do you make gas and oil stains on jerrycans (Blitz and American) and oil drums? Thanks for your time.

Make a thin wash of oil paint and thinner. Add a small amount to where you want the stain and let it dry. Keep applying the wash until you have the desired effect.

MIcheal, Thanks for the tips. I didn't know you had to keep reapplying it. Just a thought, would you do the same with acrylic paint and substitute the thinner with water? Thanks for your time.

I think that for this application, oils are the best choice. You can get water soluble oil paints, but it's more the thinner and less the paint that makes this technique work.

Thanks for the tips. Finally, (I know I'm going to sound stupid) what kind of colors should I use for oil, gasoline, and deisel? What kind of green, black, and any other types of colors? Thanks for your time.

Use a colour that is consistent with your ground cover. Oil and gas spills tend to pick up dust and crud from their surroundings. VanDyke brown with a little red ochre should work for anything other than a desert dio. Don't forget to add some earth tone pastels to the stain in the final weathering.

Thanks, that helps a lot.

To get a dried-up effect, thin your wash with white spirit. If you like a wet look, try terpuntine instead. Or try with a few drops of each. I use black + brown hints in my wash to get the effect..
Adding more brown can create a rusty effect.