Spray can wont spray

550Doug · Feb 24, 2021

I got some Oliver green spray cans a couple of years ago and I want to use them now, but having trouble. I know some spray cans have a nozzle that will completely remove from the top and others that leave a small plastic tube extending from the can when the plastic cap is removed. The plastic cap is not clogged so the problem is inside the metal top. Any ideas on getting the cans to spray, or being able to get the paint safely out of the can so I can brush it on?

Mike(NEOhio) · Feb 24, 2021

Just don't look at the top of the can while you're probing it. I've tried to get several unclogged, usually without success. Some laquer thinner or reducer down the
tube may help. Storing them upside down too.

RESLLS · Feb 24, 2021

Did they lose pressure? If so you can push
a rubber valve stem over the straw after
removing nozzle. Put an air line to it
with about 60 psi. There's a youtube on
how. I've done it a couple times.

JMOR · Feb 24, 2021

(quoted from post at 13:33:58 02/24/21) I got some Oliver green spray cans a couple of years ago and I want to use them now, but having trouble. I know some spray cans have a nozzle that will completely remove from the top and others that leave a small plastic tube extending from the can when the plastic cap is removed. The plastic cap is not clogged so the problem is inside the metal top. Any ideas on getting the cans to spray, or being able to get the paint safely out of the can so I can brush it on?

painted my face, hair & glasses long ago when young & inexperienced, so , I say do NOT puncture can, because even though you may think all the liquid is in the bottom, it WILL come out, just like a soda pop fizz!

cjunrau · Feb 24, 2021

I just take a spray nozzle on the air compressor and give it a shot. sometimes it opens the
little plug that is in there.

Stephen Newell · Feb 24, 2021

Paint will settle to the bottom of a can. Some times it takes a lot of agitation to break loose the paint in the tube. Then sometimes the propellant leaks out. I've cut open cans before and put the paint in a sprayer to use it. Just have to make a very tiny hole in
the can first to make sure the propellant is gone.

super99 · Feb 24, 2021

Try squirting some brake cleaner in the tube and let it set. I use a lot of spray bombs, when a nozzle plugs, I take it off and spray brake clean thru it to clean it out and when finished, I spray it thru the nozzle so it's ready next time I use it.

504 · Feb 24, 2021

I have cases of spray paint(long story),the paint will settle to the bottom and plug the drip tube. I have a paint
shaker(15.00 farm sale) and I can put three cans at a time in it. It takes a good 15 minutes before they will
spray.

4wdtom · Feb 25, 2021

Yes, a very small hole made at the top of the can can bleed off the pressure very slowly but make sure ALL the pressure is gone before you enlarge it. The hole can become
plugged and fool you. This is one of those "don't ask how I know" pieces of information.

Determined · Feb 25, 2021

Seems most of the time they plug up is after they have been sitting for a year or five and somebody picks them up shakes the can for 10 seconds then expects it to work.

The paint settles and separates from the solvents in the can the same way as it does in a gallon paint can so you end up with a thick glob of paint blocking the tube if you don't mix/shake it first.

Best results with old cans is shake them good for 5 minutes, really get the marble spinning and moving around while alternating from upright to upside down.
When the 5 minutes are up do it for another 5 minutes.

If they wont spray after this I turn the can upside down and use a pair of side cutters like a can opener to pierce a hole in the can along the bottom rim, once the pressure if any is relieved make a couple more holes in the bottom rim to drain the contents out.

If it has been well shaken and is held upside down no paint will shoot out when you make the hole.

Blackhole49 · Feb 25, 2021

After shaking well, use a rubber tipped air gun and try pressurizing the can. It might clear a clog
and I can usually get the last of the paint out when the can runs out of air. I've only done it on
cans with the nipple sticking up.

JMOR · Feb 25, 2021

(quoted from post at 09:59:54 02/25/21) Seems most of the time they plug up is after they have been sitting for a year or five and somebody picks them up shakes the can for 10 seconds then expects it to work.

The paint settles and separates from the solvents in the can the same way as it does in a gallon paint can so you end up with a thick glob of paint blocking the tube if you don't mix/shake it first.

Best results with old cans is shake them good for 5 minutes, really get the marble spinning and moving around while alternating from upright to upside down.
When the 5 minutes are up do it for another 5 minutes.

If they wont spray after this I turn the can upside down and use a pair of side cutters like a can opener to pierce a hole in the can along the bottom rim, once the pressure if any is relieved make a couple more holes in the bottom rim to drain the contents out.

If it has been well shaken and is held upside down no paint will shoot out when you make the hole.

fter my personal experience (above post), you will not see me trying that again!
Possible blindness, respiratory risk....all for $5....never again.

Determined · Feb 25, 2021

(quoted from post at 10:03:05 02/25/21)

(quoted from post at 09:59:54 02/25/21) Seems most of the time they plug up is after they have been sitting for a year or five and somebody picks them up shakes the can for 10 seconds then expects it to work.

The paint settles and separates from the solvents in the can the same way as it does in a gallon paint can so you end up with a thick glob of paint blocking the tube if you don't mix/shake it first.

Best results with old cans is shake them good for 5 minutes, really get the marble spinning and moving around while alternating from upright to upside down.
When the 5 minutes are up do it for another 5 minutes.

If they wont spray after this I turn the can upside down and use a pair of side cutters like a can opener to pierce a hole in the can along the bottom rim, once the pressure if any is relieved make a couple more holes in the bottom rim to drain the contents out.

If it has been well shaken and is held upside down no paint will shoot out when you make the hole.

Click to expand...

fter my personal experience (above post), you will not see me trying that again!
Possible blindness, respiratory risk....all for $5....never again.

JMOR

If a person is not comfortable with a process then by all means avoid it and sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.

-Piercing bottom rim with can upside down = no liquid present.
If one wants to be extra cautious then place a rag over can before piercing.

-Respiratory? Blindness? It's the same propellant and product that fills the air when you spray it = Wear the same mask and or goggles as required when you are spraying the paint.

Push come to shove duct tape it upside down to a fence post and practice with your 22 at a safe distance.

I agree with what you said about it's only $5 but for some of us it's $5 plus fuel and time for an hour ride each way to town and back.

JMOR · Feb 26, 2021

Another way to get the paint out:

Spray can wont spray

550Doug

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Mike(NEOhio)

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RESLLS

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JMOR

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cjunrau

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Stephen Newell

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super99

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504

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4wdtom

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Determined

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Blackhole49

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JMOR

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Determined

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JMOR

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