Aerosol paint nozzles that are clogged

[Heel n Toe]

I do all the things you're supposed to do and they still clog.

Asking the brain trust for some suggestions for solvents that might open them up... mineral spirits... acetone... gasoline... turpentine... sterno... 150 proof vodka?

[URY914]

I have done the same. PITA. I've watched all the YouTube videos as well. Nothing seems to work. I end up tossing them and using one off anther can.

I've started to clean them right after use, before the paint can dry in them.

The other problem is paint that I can't get out of the can no matter what nozzle I use.

[wdfifteen]

This is a big problem with the "spray in any position" cans. We used to just turn them upside down and blow out some of the propellant to clean the nozzles.

I had the problem a lot, but found a solution. I have a small glass jar of acetone on the work bench that I drop the nozzles in. If I've just used them successfully I only soak them a few minutes, then blow them out with compressed air. If paint has dried in them I soak them overnight, then blow them out.

[Zeke]

^^^I never throw the nozzle away after a can expires, they go in the jar. The white males seem to be the most scarce. Some have been in there for years. I just reach for the ones on top with needle nose.

I'd like a rattle can shaker. The spinning type don't seem worthy but I haven't tried one.

[Scott Douglas]

I scavenged a shaker device out of an old vibra chair recliner my dad had to make a paint can shaker out of it.
Haven't perfected it yet.

[Zeke]

I see attachments for a Sawzall. IDT you need that much violence.

[Baz]

Keep your tips in a jar of mineral spirits.......you'll never have a problem.......

[Heel n Toe]

Thanks for the tips... so it's either acetone or mineral spirits. Will probably try acetone first.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Thanks for the tips... so it's either acetone or mineral spirits. Will probably try acetone first.

Mineral spirits are good for keeping the paint in them from drying and clogging. Acetone will dissolve the dried paint. I use acetone for everything only because it's easier than having two glass jars of flammable fluid sitting on my bench.

[KFC911]

If ya don't want to use flammable acetone, I've found that non-acetone fingernail polish remover works great on removing & dissolving stuff ... and hasn't harmed any surfaces I've used it on. I've been using it for years on stuff .... including dried paint some jerk sprayed on my ex-g/f's white Lexus ....

removes the pink polish from my toenails too !

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

This is a big problem with the "spray in any position" cans. We used to just turn them upside down and blow out some of the propellant to clean the nozzles.

I had the problem a lot, but found a solution. I have a small glass jar of acetone on the work bench that I drop the nozzles in. If I've just used them successfully I only soak them a few minutes, then blow them out with compressed air. If paint has dried in them I soak them overnight, then blow them out.

Originally Posted by Zeke

^^^I never throw the nozzle away after a can expires, they go in the jar. The white males seem to be the most scarce. Some have been in there for years. I just reach for the ones on top with needle nose.

I'd like a rattle can shaker. The spinning type don't seem worthy but I haven't tried one.

Yup. All of mine go straight into a baby food jar of acetone right after use.

I find Rustoleum to be the most difficult to deal with. It often dries in the valve in the top of the can. I wish they made much smaller, "single use" cans. Often the majority of the content in the full size cans is wasted, trapped behind that darn metal valve. Other brands don't seem to suffer this, but I find Rustoleum to be superior for most of what I need spray paint for.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I scavenged a shaker device out of an old vibra chair recliner my dad had to make a paint can shaker out of it.
Haven't perfected it yet.

I'm thinking some kind of bracket that holds the can that I can strap to the tire on my truck. By the time I get home from the hardware store the paint will be ready to use - or in a ditch somewhere.

[1990C4S]

I have good luck wiping them clean with solvent. I rarely get a clogged one.

It seems be the last drip on the outlet that clogs up.

[Rusty Heap]

Last couple days I've been shooting rattle cans of Plasta-Dip and Truck Bed Liner. Both pretty sticky stuff. On the can they mention soaking in solvent if clogged.

[HobieMarty]

I've had cans of Behr paint clog up as I was spraying, very annoying.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[TimT]

You can also buy spares in all sorts of configurations.. male female, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Spray-Can-Nozzle/s?k=Spray+Can+Nozzle

[cjh]

I have been having problems with the cans plugging up. I bought 3 cans of John Deere black paint and the first one lasted about 5 seconds. The second was intermittent and I got maybe 25% - 50% of the product I paid for before it plugged up for good. The 3rd is on the shelf. I shake them before using and try to invert before finishing. I also stick my nozzles into solvent when done.
I have never had any problem with plugging on Krylon.

[Zeke]

I'm thinking of storing my rattle cans upside down as long as they have a cap. When paint pigments settle they settle all over the bottom and the ball can't get into the crease. If some of that sludge gets free and gets to the straw, you're done with that can.

Realistically, the sludge can get into places while the can is inverted as well. Best to agitate the cans periodically like turning bottles on champagne. Just one more thing to have to do. When they were 3 bucks ea who cared?