Paint spray cans quit when still half full--what to do?

Farnorth

Member
What do you guys do when paint spray cans quit spraying when still half full? The nozzle is not plugged since I can switch to a new one and still nothing out of the can. Really frustrating and seems to happen more now days than years ago.
 
(quoted from post at 06:46:31 09/25/15) What do you guys do when paint spray cans quit spraying when still half full? The nozzle is not plugged since I can switch to a new one and still nothing out of the can. Really frustrating and seems to happen more now days than years ago.

Sometimes the valve just below the nozzle gets clogged. Some aerosol carb cleaner and a small screwdriver MIGHT unclog it, but you will end up with paint on your hands and everywhere else. Best thing I have found to do with those non-functional spray cans is to use them for target practice.
 
Hi
I have had a few do that here, with discharge gas still in them. I think the paint has lumps in it inside the spray can, then the lump plugs the outlet before the nozzle internally. I have changed to new nozzles from a new can and still the same.

I have found that the lump will either plug the new nozzle on the first try if it moves up in to that nozzle. I just take the tip off blow the tip backwards to make sure the plugs not there with the compressor. Or if internally plugged( in the can) I use the same rubber tipped blow gun end on the compressor. Put the clean tip back on the can . hold the blow gun over the tip where the paint comes out. Then with co ordination push the nozzle down and put a short 1 second blast of air back in the can. That then clears the blockage, I re shake the can good and carry on.
DO NOT USE 150 PSI OF AIR THE CAN MAY EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!!! You just need enought to move the lump back in the can ,It's not a lot.
Hope that helps
Regards Robert
 
That has been a common problem with all kinds of spray cans since they started using the environmentally friendly propellant...don't know why but it is annoying.

That said, colors make things difficult as you just about have to buy name brand paint to get those, but if your looking for black, white, or gray primer, try the 'dollar' cans from places like HD and Lowes. I've found they are usually made in the US, they hold up just as long as any of the other stuff, and I have yet to use a can that you couldn't 'spray the bottom' out of.

For non paint cans I usually save up until I have a couple of that particular product and then puncture the can and drain the liquid into a spray bottle, or whatever seems appropriate.
 
Paint sits on the shelf and settles and gets lumps like has been said then keeps feeding the lumps to whatever nozzle tip you put on and clogs it. Frustrating when you pay as much as $15 or more for a rattle can. Found that a tiny wire with solvent helps clear the tip and sometimes the clog will clear if you work the stem up and down with the solvent.
 
Spray paint is one thing that is better to buy from the mega store. If it sits on the shelf in a non climate controlled warehouse for a year or 2 before you buy it, well it's already beyond it's life expectancy. Best to stick with the basic colors too, they have a higher turnover.

I like the Rustoleum 2X that Home Depot sells. It has a larger nozzle, very seldom will I have one quit before it's empty. But any of them will fail if it's not shaken BEFORE the trigger is pulled the first time!
 
Agreed, Wayne.

The number of once nonexistent or rare problems caused by know nothing federales for little or no benefit is staggering.

Dean
 
Low propellant pressure? Warm up the can or use fresh cans. Spray cans tend to loose pressure just sitting on the shelf. Some simple hydro carbon propellants are can be smaller molecules that leak out easier.
 
I had an old can of rustoleum caterpillar yellow that i unplugged with goof off and air pressure on the nozzle. to unplug the can valve I soaked the valve stem on the can and then pressed it against a flat surface ( rough cut board ). Seems to clear out the lumps. Watch out for spraying paint!! Had 3 cans of rustoleum self etching primer from menards that quit halfway through--took them back and they replaced them.
 
I hammer a nail into the top with the can sitting upright with a rag over everything.
Then I let the remaining pressure out very slowly by pulling the nail nearly all the way out.After this I carefully dump it all out into my spray gun. The paint remaining in the can after the presure is released is like soda pop.If you shake it or bump it it will foam up and pressure will again
come out the hole with paint also.
 
I always turn the can upside down when I'm finished and blow the tip tell it is clear never have any problems! I always wondered if you store the can upside down if it will stop clogging when you go to use it again....Jim in N.M.
 
I haven't seen anyone mention 'shaking' I used to have the same problem.. till I found a device that attaches to a recip saw. Holds the can and the saw does the shaking...I built a stand for the saw and now just strap the can in the 'bracket' and let it shake.

I'll start it up ... not full throttle ! and let it shake 5 or 6 minutes. I've only had one or two cans stop spraying in over a year

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055S7DJS...qmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_22cfuojrfp_b

also do a google search on Mix Kwik

later
john[/url]
 
I haven't seen anyone mention 'shaking' I used to have the same problem.. till I found a device that attaches to a recip saw. Holds the can and the saw does the shaking...I built a stand for the saw and now just strap the can in the 'bracket' and let it shake.

I'll start it up ... not full throttle ! and let it shake 5 or 6 minutes. I've only had one or two cans stop spraying in over a year

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055S7DJS...qmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_22cfuojrfp_b

also do a google search on Mix Kwik

later
john
 
I haven't seen anyone mention 'shaking' I used to have the same problem.. till I found a device that attaches to a recip saw. Holds the can and the saw does the shaking...I built a stand for the saw and now just strap the can in the 'bracket' and let it shake.

I'll start it up ... not full throttle ! and let it shake 5 or 6 minutes. I've only had one or two cans stop spraying in over a year

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055S7DJS/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=71375564076&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16799272284027246262&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_22cfuojrfp_b

also do a google search on Mix Kwik

later
john
 
I haven't seen anyone mention 'shaking' ? you gotta shake the crap out of them. I used to have the same problem.. till I found a device that attaches to a recip saw. Holds the can and the saw does the shaking...I built a stand for the saw and now just strap the can in the 'bracket' and let it shake.

I'll start it up ... not full throttle ! and let it shake 5 or 6 minutes. I've only had one or two cans stop spraying in over a year

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055S7DJS/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=71375564076&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16799272284027246262&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_22cfuojrfp_b

also do a google search on Mix Kwik

later
john
 
I have used carb cleaner with a carb spout on paint can and hook to carb cleaner with little red line...push both at same time
 
Back when I worked at GTC, we got a batch of cans with no propellant. The salesman came & shook the can till he was blue in the face. He got one little spit from it. We all laughed!
 
What brand of paint are you using? I've only had problems with NAPA brand spray paint and one can of Carquest paint.

The paint is either too old or you are not cleaning the paint out of the valve after your done.
 
I restore toys. I have at least 75 cans of spray paint at any given time. I have a can of Allis Chalmers cream. It is at least 20 years old and still sprays. I think it has more or better thinner than the new paint has.

Turning the can upside down to clean out the valve is important when you are finished.

Most of the OEM dealers are gone. I buy most of my implement paint from Orcheln's. Van Sickle brand. The toys photos, the tractor and wagon are Van Sickle. The Tonka truck is Rustoeum. Not a big fan of the 2X coverage paint.
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(quoted from post at 08:46:31 09/25/15) What do you guys do when paint spray cans quit spraying when still half full? The nozzle is not plugged since I can switch to a new one and still nothing out of the can. Really frustrating and seems to happen more now days than years ago.

1-Go to pant cabinet and select desired color.

2-Shake up can and test spray on inside of cabinet door.

3-Select 4 more cans of the same color and repeat.

4-When you have confirmed that none of them work, begin changing the nozzle with the ones that fit off of other color cans in the collection.

5-Put all the half full non-functioning cans back on the shelf because some day they may magically decide to start working.

6-Repeat with random colors every few months over the course of 5-10 years.

7-Remove all rattle cans from cabinet and give them all one last chance to work.

8-Any can that lets out a tiny squirt goes back in the cabinet to train all of the new cans you will acquire over the next 5-10 years.

9-Go back to step 1 and repeat.

Hideous colors that you have no idea why you even own, will always work on the first try.
 

You can't always clear them out by spraying upside down the way we used to, because some of the newer cans are designed to spray from any angle.
I usually shoot carb cleaner through the nozzle after I'm done. That helps a lot. And as mentioned, shake it good before using, and frequently while using.
 
what i do is turn the can upside down--hold an air nozzle to the spray cap hole---and push the spray cap and air nozzle at the same time and it pressurizes the spray can.
 
Try this . . . available at Home Depot for about $5.00 . Should also be available from other stores in your area.
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Watch this clip , I have followed the simple process many times and saved countless cans from the rubbish bin . Particularly good for WD40 and the like .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mimSDtqljMA
 

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