Rattle Can problems

[gromit]

I use rattle cans of paint for small jobs and have had a few problems recently.

Large international paint manufacturer's products.
I use the cans a few times (cleaning the nozzle afterwards) then next use the paint sprays out around the stem (under the nozzle) filling my hand with paint !
Two cans replaced a while ago and now one of the replacements being replaced.
It's a pain as I'm part way through a job, I have to clean up myself & the can then go through their complaints procedure.
They ask for a receipt, I say that I don't keep receipts for low value items and anyway I assumed their product would be 'fit-for-purpose'.

They have come to the party both times but I think I need an alternative rattle can supplier.

Anyone else had this problem or is it just me ?

Colin

[Don 130]

To clean the nozzle after use, I always invert the can and spray out the residual paint until only gas is emitted. I assume you do the same?
If blocked, I use a single straight wire bristle on a wire brush to probe the aperture.

Don.

[gromit]

To clean the nozzle after use, I always invert the can and spray out the residual paint until only gas is emitted. I assume you do the same?
If blocked, I use a single straight wire bristle on a wire brush to probe the aperture.

Don.

I tend to wipe the nozzle with a rag covered in turps, saves reducing the gas pressure in the can. Never had a problem doing this.
The nozzle isn't blocked with the problem cans, as it tries to spray from the nozzle it pumps out around the stem. I even tried a new nozzle with the same result.

Colin

[oka374]

I've had the same problem with "thick" paint like the camo, primers and gal paints that have lots of solids in the paint.
You really have to shake the crap out of them to mix the paint otherwise the thick stuff at the bottom will block the nozzle and I always warm the can in the sun or warm (not boiling) water in cooler weather.
I also made a shaker that I found on the net that uses a cordless drill to shake the can for extended periods before use.
You can also remove the spray nozzle and keep it in a jar with turps until the next use as well as cleaning the spout on the can with wire wrapped with a little bit of turps soaked cloth. The latter you have to do with spraycans of fish oil as otherwise they never work again.

[gromit]

I've had the same problem with "thick" paint like the camo, primers and gal paints that have lots of solids in the paint.
You really have to shake the crap out of them to mix the paint otherwise the thick stuff at the bottom will block the nozzle and I always warm the can in the sun or warm (not boiling) water in cooler weather.
I also made a shaker that I found on the net that uses a cordless drill to shake the can for extended periods before use.
You can also remove the spray nozzle and keep it in a jar with turps until the next use as well as cleaning the spout on the can with wire wrapped with a little bit of turps soaked cloth. The latter you have to do with spraycans of fish oil as otherwise they never work again.

I heat the rattle can in cold weather, hot water in a bucket.
I've kept nozzles from previous rattle cans so I always have one to swap out should one block.

The problem I'm experiencing isn't blocked nozzles but the seal round the stem leaking.

Seems I have another credit note to take to Bunnings, problem is I'm not confident that the next can won't fail !


Colin

[jerryd]

I heat the rattle can in cold weather, hot water in a bucket.
I've kept nozzles from previous rattle cans so I always have one to swap out should one block.

The problem I'm experiencing isn't blocked nozzles but the seal round the stem leaking.

Seems I have another credit note to take to Bunnings, problem is I'm not confident that the next can won't fail !


Colin

Buy a decent paint can from your local car paint suppliers, I'd never use a paint can from Bunnings [bigwhistle]

[gromit]

Buy a decent paint can from your local car paint suppliers, I'd never use a paint can from Bunnings [bigwhistle]

I've purchased plenty of cans from Bunnings without issue prior to the recent problems.
Major brand but probably contract filled somewhere.

I'm actually now buying a great epoxy paint from a Clearance centre, much cheaper than a car paint supplier !

Colin

[goingbush]

Ive chucked out heaps of half full / almost full rattle cans because the paint has blocked the tube.
Of course I invert the can & spray till its clear , but they still clog up.

In desperation the other day, I needed some black paint NOW ,( & not waste another 1/2 hour going to Bunnings. ) So took the nozzle off a blocked can & blasted the top with a burst from air compressor as I pushed the tube down. Voila . blockage cleared & can proceed with paintwork.

[gromit]

Well I got an email from the paint manufacturer (begins with D) with a form they wanted signed which said they they weren't admitting liability but as a gesture of goodwill......
I haven't signed and won't bother taking up the offer of a replacement can.

Colin

[JDNSW]

The only thing I can add to the above suggestions is to use thinners not turps to clean the nozzle. I suspect the leakage from the seal is because the nozzle is actually blocked internally.

[V8Ian]

The only thing I can add to the above suggestions is to use thinners not turps to clean the nozzle. I suspect the leakage from the seal is because the nozzle is actually blocked internally.
You'll need to use the correct thinners/turps for the type of paint.

[gromit]

The only thing I can add to the above suggestions is to use thinners not turps to clean the nozzle. I suspect the leakage from the seal is because the nozzle is actually blocked internally.

No, it sprays from the nozzle and empties into my hand at the same time.
If I've ever had a nozzle block in the past it just doesn't spray. Never, until these 3 cans, has it leaked past the stem.
The stem seal seems to be the problem.


Colin

[Don 130]

The only thing I can add to the above suggestions is to use thinners not turps to clean the nozzle. I suspect the leakage from the seal is because the nozzle is actually blocked internally.

Thinners may dissolve the nozzle
Don.