Home Repair forum - Clogged spray paint cans

Author

Clogged spray paint cans

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-27, 8:25 pm

Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.

What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
only.

Is there a trick or secret I don't know?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

Nate Nagel

2008-03-27, 8:25 pm

Stormin Mormon wrote:
> Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
> shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
> the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
> What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
> says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
> only.
>
> Is there a trick or secret I don't know?
>

pull the nozz hole, run your thumbnail through the little slit at the
bottom of the round part, try again. if it still doesn't work, soak the
nozzle in a little lacquer thinner (the plastic cap of the spray can is
perfect for this.)

When you're done spraying, hold the can upside down and spray until no
more paint (only propellant) comes out of the nozzle. this will clean
it out for the next use.

nate

--
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Cheri

2008-03-27, 8:25 pm

Stormin Mormon wrote in message
<47ec2c1f$0$6163$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>...
>Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job.
I'm
>shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray
from
>the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
>What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can
like it
>says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the
pressure
>only.

I've always thought so. It's very frustrating, and happens a lot with
hairspray too. You're stuck with perfectly good product that you can't
use. I've not found anything that works, but hopefully there is an
answer. It might just be a good idea to save the receipts and start
returning those damned things to the store every single time it
happens.

Cheri

2008-03-28, 9:25 am

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:07:58 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
>shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
>the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
>What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
>says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
>only.
>
>Is there a trick or secret I don't know?

I don't know what is wrong with this can, but I save all the unclogged
nozzles from spray cans so I can change to a new one when I need to.
They're small and 10 years' worth doesn't fill one 8 oz. margarine
contrainer.

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 9:25 am

Thanks, I'll try that next time.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
news:fshaek12e16@news2.newsguy.com...
Stormin Mormon wrote:
> Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
> shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
> the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
> What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
> says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
> only.
>
> Is there a trick or secret I don't know?
>

pull the nozz hole, run your thumbnail through the little slit at the
bottom of the round part, try again. if it still doesn't work, soak the
nozzle in a little lacquer thinner (the plastic cap of the spray can is
perfect for this.)

When you're done spraying, hold the can upside down and spray until no
more paint (only propellant) comes out of the nozzle. this will clean
it out for the next use.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 9:25 am

I tried punch a hole in the edge of the can, on top. Figured I could vent
the gas, and then make a larger hole. Pour the paint out.

Well, shazaam, I got foamy spray paint flying all the heck over. I had done
the poke hole in the sink, with a paper towel over the hole. I got paint all
over a lot of things that aren't supposed to be painted. I'm not gonna try
that again any time soon.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
news:7qidnfkZDOaZpHHanZ2dnUVZ_sGvnZ2d@softcom.net...

I've always thought so. It's very frustrating, and happens a lot with
hairspray too. You're stuck with perfectly good product that you can't
use. I've not found anything that works, but hopefully there is an
answer. It might just be a good idea to save the receipts and start
returning those damned things to the store every single time it
happens.

Cheri

gfretwell@aol.com

2008-03-28, 1:25 pm

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:07:58 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
>shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
>the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
>What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
>says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
>only.
>
>Is there a trick or secret I don't know?
Shake the can longer before you start. It clumps up in the can and
plugs the nozzle. Rustoleum (and the Ace clone) seem the worst for
this.
The best nozzles are the blue ones that have a slit in back and an
exposed wire going into the can.

Smitty Two

2008-03-28, 1:25 pm

In article <47ecfba6$0$6515$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I tried punch a hole in the edge of the can, on top. Figured I could vent
> the gas, and then make a larger hole. Pour the paint out.
>
> Well, shazaam, I got foamy spray paint flying all the heck over. I had done
> the poke hole in the sink, with a paper towel over the hole. I got paint all
> over a lot of things that aren't supposed to be painted. I'm not gonna try
> that again any time soon.

Do not puncture or incinerate. Isn't that what pressurized cans of paint
and everything else have said since the beginning of time? Sheesh,
Christopher, I'm surprised you admitted to making such a bonehead move.

Jim Elbrecht

2008-03-28, 1:25 pm

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:07:22 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I tried punch a hole in the edge of the can, on top. Figured I could vent
>the gas, and then make a larger hole. Pour the paint out.
>
>Well, shazaam, I got foamy spray paint flying all the heck over. I had done
>the poke hole in the sink, with a paper towel over the hole. I got paint all
>over a lot of things that aren't supposed to be painted. I'm not gonna try
>that again any time soon.

Take it outside-- prop it up in a box. Shoot a pellet through it near
the top. Should keep enough paint to make the whole deal less
frustrating.

Jim

Gordon Shumway

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

I had the same problem too. After many years of cleaning and swearing
I discovered the root cause. All of the problematic cans were very
old, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 plus years. Once I threw out
all of the old cans and bought some new ones the problem was solved.

There is probably a shelf life for this stuff and it would be nice if
it was printed on the can. YMWV...

G.S.

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:07:58 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
>shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
>the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
>What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
>says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
>only.
>
>Is there a trick or secret I don't know?

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

I guess you've noticed, I don't always follow directions.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Smitty Two" <prestwhich@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:prestwhich-4A2FB7.08420728032008@news.phx.highwinds-

Do not puncture or incinerate. Isn't that what pressurized cans of paint
and everything else have said since the beginning of time? Sheesh,
Christopher, I'm surprised you admitted to making such a bonehead move.

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

I'll try that next time. Pointy hunting pellets?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Jim Elbrecht" <elbrecht@email.com> wrote in message
news:5o4qu3hs9nrtk1vf0poqnacfs5t9blqu3i@4ax.com...
On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:07:22 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I tried punch a hole in the edge of the can, on top. Figured I could vent
>the gas, and then make a larger hole. Pour the paint out.
>
>Well, shazaam, I got foamy spray paint flying all the heck over. I had done
>the poke hole in the sink, with a paper towel over the hole. I got paint
>all
>over a lot of things that aren't supposed to be painted. I'm not gonna try
>that again any time soon.

Take it outside-- prop it up in a box. Shoot a pellet through it near
the top. Should keep enough paint to make the whole deal less
frustrating.

Jim

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

Which brands work properly?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

<gfretwell@aol.com> wrote in message
news:805qu3h3dpv9l0aqr53jlv3t98rrkf621n@4ax.com...

Shake the can longer before you start. It clumps up in the can and
plugs the nozzle. Rustoleum (and the Ace clone) seem the worst for
this.
The best nozzles are the blue ones that have a slit in back and an
exposed wire going into the can.

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

Yes, these were a couple years old. Bet that's it. I wonder, if I stored the
cans upside down..... ???

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Gordon Shumway" <Rhonda@Planet.Melmac> wrote in message
news:mbdqu3t1t0ra1vlp4207o3b276d9pvng29@4ax.com...
I had the same problem too. After many years of cleaning and swearing
I discovered the root cause. All of the problematic cans were very
old, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 plus years. Once I threw out
all of the old cans and bought some new ones the problem was solved.

There is probably a shelf life for this stuff and it would be nice if
it was printed on the can. YMWV...

G.S.

N8N

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

On Mar 28, 3:08=A0pm, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spambloc...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Which brands work properly?
>
> --
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> =A0www.lds.org
> .
>
> <gfretw...@aol.com> wrote in message
>
> news:805qu3h3dpv9l0aqr53jlv3t98rrkf621n@4ax.com...
>
> Shake the can longer before you start. It clumps up in the can and
> plugs the nozzle. Rustoleum (and the Ace clone) seem the worst for
> this.
> The best nozzles are the blue ones that have a slit in back and an
> exposed wire going into the can.

I hate those. I like the plain old Krylon ones.

nate

Jeff Wisnia

2008-03-28, 5:25 pm

Stormin Mormon wrote:
> I tried punch a hole in the edge of the can, on top. Figured I could vent
> the gas, and then make a larger hole. Pour the paint out.
>
> Well, shazaam, I got foamy spray paint flying all the heck over. I had done
> the poke hole in the sink, with a paper towel over the hole. I got paint all
> over a lot of things that aren't supposed to be painted. I'm not gonna try
> that again any time soon.
>
Sounds like you made too large a hole and the gas which may have been
absorbed in the liquid paint caused it to foam out like opening a shaken
up bottle of soda pop.

I've saved the paint in several plugged cans over the years, by turning
them upside down with the lid on and punching a VERY small hole in the
bottom with an awl and a hammer.

I always punched through a several layers of rag and just tapped on the
awl several times until I heard gas begin to escape and then waited
until that sound stopped, then made the hole larger to make sure it
hadn't just plugged up.

After that I used a church key to make a couple of decent sized holes in
the can bottom and rescued the paint.

I never experienced the "foamy explosion" you described.

Mayb I was just lucky.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

gfretwell@aol.com

2008-03-28, 8:25 pm

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:08:46 -0700 (PDT), N8N <njnagel@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>
>I hate those. I like the plain old Krylon ones.

I guess that is why they make both kinds.
The blue ones shoot a vertical "fan" spray. If you are not used to
using a spray gun that might throw you. I think they start and stop
more reliably too.That is important if you are laying up light coats
instead of just spraying it on till it droops and backing off a bit
;-)

Nate Nagel

2008-03-28, 8:25 pm

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gfretwell@aol.com wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:08:46 -0700 (PDT), N8N <njnagel@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> I guess that is why they make both kinds.
> The blue ones shoot a vertical "fan" spray. If you are not used to
> using a spray gun that might throw you. I think they start and stop
> more reliably too.That is important if you are laying up light coats
> instead of just spraying it on till it droops and backing off a bit
> ;-)

I have used a spray gun, and the fan spray is kinda nice at times, but
those @#$%# blue nozzles always seem to clog easier and also require
more force to operate, IME. At times I've ended up switching to using
my thumb to operate those things as my index finger gets just plain
tired. The plain old Krylon ones seem to work easier so they're less
fatiguing on the finger and they just plain work.

Just MHO, YMMV...

nate

--
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gfretwell@aol.com

2008-03-28, 8:25 pm

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:25:45 -0400, Nate Nagel <njnagel@roosters.net>
wrote:

>gfretwell@aol.com wrote:
>
>I have used a spray gun, and the fan spray is kinda nice at times, but
>those @#$%# blue nozzles always seem to clog easier and also require
>more force to operate, IME. At times I've ended up switching to using
>my thumb to operate those things as my index finger gets just plain
>tired. The plain old Krylon ones seem to work easier so they're less
>fatiguing on the finger and they just plain work.
>
>Just MHO, YMMV...
>
>nate

LSMFT huh?
I guess I don't use a spray can for anything that takes that long. If
I have anything close to a whole can of spraying to do I like my
little touchup gun or a cup gun.
I did shoot the roof of a van once with spray cans. Two light coats of
primer and a coat of white Rustoleum. I bought one of those clip on
trigger deals that holds the nozzle down for you. I was really
surprised at how well it came out. If I didn't have air now I would
have one of those.

Nate Nagel

2008-03-28, 8:25 pm

gfretwell@aol.com wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:25:45 -0400, Nate Nagel <njnagel@roosters.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> LSMFT huh?
> I guess I don't use a spray can for anything that takes that long. If
> I have anything close to a whole can of spraying to do I like my
> little touchup gun or a cup gun.
> I did shoot the roof of a van once with spray cans. Two light coats of
> primer and a coat of white Rustoleum. I bought one of those clip on
> trigger deals that holds the nozzle down for you. I was really
> surprised at how well it came out. If I didn't have air now I would
> have one of those.

if I have anything REAL big to do, I'll fire up my friend's HVLP, but
most of the time I'm detailing small car parts where I'll clean one
part, prime it, clean the next part while the first one is drying, paint
the first, prime the second, etc... so yeah I get a lot of quality
Krylon time

I'm pretty good with a spray can if I may say so myself; if I'm being
careful it's hard to tell that a part wasn't done with a gun (I've used
spray cans for steering columns, dashboards, etc...)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
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gfretwell@aol.com

2008-03-29, 3:25 am

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:22:15 -0400, Nate Nagel <njnagel@roosters.net>
wrote:

>if I have anything REAL big to do, I'll fire up my friend's HVLP, but
>most of the time I'm detailing small car parts where I'll clean one
>part, prime it, clean the next part while the first one is drying, paint
>the first, prime the second, etc... so yeah I get a lot of quality
>Krylon time

>
>I'm pretty good with a spray can if I may say so myself; if I'm being
>careful it's hard to tell that a part wasn't done with a gun (I've used
>spray cans for steering columns, dashboards, etc...)
>
>nate
It sounds like you need one of those clip on spray handles. Get a real
one from an auto paint store. They make working with spray cans a
whole lot easier.
I can do some pretty good work with a spray can too. Once you learn
how to paint you can work with almost anything. I had some good
teachers. I knew a guy who could shoot better than stock quality paint
on a motorcycle with a spray can.

David Nebenzahl

2008-03-29, 3:26 am

On 3/27/2008 3:07 PM Stormin Mormon spake thus:

> Took a can of Rust Oleum white spray paint out side. Quick spray job. I'm
> shaking the can as I walk outdoors. Got about half a second of spray from
> the can, and the spray stops. Nearly new can.
>
> What's with that? Do they do that on purpose? I did shake the can like it
> says on the label. And it was upright, so I wasn't venting the pressure
> only.
>
> Is there a trick or secret I don't know?

Dunno if this has already been mentioned in this thread (OK, I'm lazy
and don't want to read the whole thing), but what I do is keep all my
spray-can nozzles in a jar soaking in lacquer thinner. Pop one onto the
spray can, use it, then return it to soak when done. I have no problems
with clogs (at least with nozzles), though sometimes the damned *cans* clog.

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-31, 8:25 pm

I used the can opener blade of my Leatherman. The awl and couple rags would
have been much better.

At this point, I'm not courageous enough to try it any time soon. Dump the
can, and be done with it.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Jeff Wisnia" <jwisnia@conversent.net> wrote in message
news:13uqmp1ri91kk6d@corp.supernews.com...
Sounds like you made too large a hole and the gas which may have been
absorbed in the liquid paint caused it to foam out like opening a shaken
up bottle of soda pop.

I've saved the paint in several plugged cans over the years, by turning
them upside down with the lid on and punching a VERY small hole in the
bottom with an awl and a hammer.

I always punched through a several layers of rag and just tapped on the
awl several times until I heard gas begin to escape and then waited
until that sound stopped, then made the hole larger to make sure it
hadn't just plugged up.

After that I used a church key to make a couple of decent sized holes in
the can bottom and rescued the paint.

I never experienced the "foamy explosion" you described.

Mayb I was just lucky.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Stormin Mormon

2008-03-31, 8:25 pm

That's two votes for Krylon. Thanks for the field report.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
news:fsjupp02t43@news2.newsguy.com...

I have used a spray gun, and the fan spray is kinda nice at times, but
those @#$%# blue nozzles always seem to clog easier and also require
more force to operate, IME. At times I've ended up switching to using
my thumb to operate those things as my index finger gets just plain
tired. The plain old Krylon ones seem to work easier so they're less
fatiguing on the finger and they just plain work.

Just MHO, YMMV...

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

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