how do i unblock paint- spray can nozzels

[tylerae40]

I always use spray cans of paint because when i do paint something it's only small and rough. I've got a heap of the plactic tip nozzels off the cans that are blocked, what do i soak or wash them in to unblock them?
cheers tyler

 

[MScott]

Not sure whether soaking in paint thinner and then using compressed air would clear them. Best approach is to avoid the problem by inverting the can and spraying until only air comes out at the end of each painting session.

 

[HOTFR8]

I would try to clean them with a pin as it works for me also make sure you turn them upside down and spray that way the nozzle should not be blocked.

Also sometime warming the can in warm water before you use it can help it not getting blocked. often if it keeps happening it may be a faulty spray tin.

I used to own a hardware store and many of the paint sales reps told me these tips.

 

[CraigFL]

You can watch EBay for them...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...ffdd09a&itemid=330356724760&ff4=263602_263622

 

[Gary S]

Years ago already I gave up trying to keep them clean by inverting them and spraying until I got only air. Many of them still clogged when sitting, and all it accomplished was to waste propellant. I have much better luck by simply wiping the front of the nozzle clean when I finish. It is as simple as wiping across it with your finger or a rag, and for me it has worked much better than inverting the can.
I don't know of any solvent that will reliably dissolve the dried paint and make a dried up and clogged nozzle work again.

 

[fflintstone]

You can watch EBay for them...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...ffdd09a&itemid=330356724760&ff4=263602_263622

why the hell doesnt home depot, lowes or harbor freight sell these!!!! I bet every handyman would want one or two. I would order one today but 1: I HATE Ebay, 2: I refuse to pay more for shipping then the cost of an item.

 

[autopts71045]

I've got a can of spray paint stripper which has the same cap as the Rust-o-leum spray paint I that I often use. After I'm done spraying paint I exchannge nozzels and give on quick squirt thru the stripper. Let it sit and I always know its clean and ready.

 

[Racer_X]

Years ago already I gave up trying to keep them clean by inverting them and spraying until I got only air. Many of them still clogged when sitting, and all it accomplished was to waste propellant. I have much better luck by simply wiping the front of the nozzle clean when I finish. It is as simple as wiping across it with your finger or a rag, and for me it has worked much better than inverting the can.
I don't know of any solvent that will reliably dissolve the dried paint and make a dried up and clogged nozzle work again.

I've been doing this for years as well. It works perfect and doesn't waste propellant.

 

[ZRX61]

I've been doing this for years as well. It works perfect and doesn't waste propellant.

Depends on the user, one guy I know has a shelf full of rattlecans, half full of paint.. & no propellant...

 

[Stephenw]

Sticking a pin in the nozzle will ruin the spray pattern. Try this...

http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=12.msg382#msg382

 

[39 chevy]

Forget all that cleaning ****, First it is better after done spraying, turn can upside down and spray till just air comes out, but if u r like me and always gets lazy or doesn't shake well enough, just when u use your last good paint can and instead of throwing it away, get a nice jar and save all the good nozzel ends, I must have 25 now as we speak, if my clogs, I change it out for a new one! Hope this helps, Dana

 

[38Chevy454]

A lot of rattle can is lacquer paint. Just soak the nozzles in a strong solvent (lacquer thinner for example.....) and they should come clean. Lacquer paint never hardens, it just dries out. So new solvent will wet the paint and clean out. Might also work on enamel paint, can't say i have ever really tried.

 

[Torque1st]

I turn the can over and spray until clear AND wipe the nozzle with my finger. I also have a large collection of nozzles removed from spray cans. I haven't really needed any of them except for a few times when a dropped can lost it's nozzle under a bench somewhere.

I bet soaking in lacquer thinner with a spray of compressed air would clean them out. I have not needed to try this tho. -It may dissolve the caps. If the thinner fails try MEK.

I see 38chevy beat me to the lacquer thinner suggestion.

 

[TagMan]

I invert the can and spray until I just get air out of the nozzle, but then I also pop the nozzle off and force a small stream of lacquer thinner through the nozzle until all the paint is washed away. I use a small plastic squeeze bottle for the thinner. I also put a few drops of thinner in the opening in the can for the nozzle a wash away any paint that might lodge there.

After I use up spray cans, I save the nozzles in a small box and if a nozzle should plug in the middle of a job, I can just switch nozzles.

Also, if the can of paint is not 70°F or warmer, I set the can in a pan of hot water for 10-15 minutes and let it warm up. Cuts out a lot of the nozzle clogging problems.

I've had spray cans of paint for years and have been able to reuse them with almost never having any problems.

 

[yhprum]

After your'e done painting, take the nozzle off the can , put it on a can of carb cleaner and give it a squirt to clean the tip out. Wipe it off and you're done. I can see pros and cons to the upside down cleanout, although I do that too.

 

[reinhardt]

gasoline and a match... solves soooo many problems.

 

[bchee]

Sticking a pin in the nozzle will ruin the spray pattern. Try this...

http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=12.msg382#msg382

excellent tip

 

[tylerae40]

cheers guys
I will get some thinners when next at the shop, I normally turn the cans upside down and spray and wipe, but half the time because of the heat in australia it goes hard in the nozzel itself. I'll also try the carb cleaner and see how it goes- i thing i've got about seven cans of paint hat have gone hard and i'm running out of spare nozzels to sawp. cheers again
tyler

 

[thdewey]

I would try a pin first.
Then I'd try swapping the nozzle from a new can. If you have the same color, use that.
This is what I did last week. I cleaned the nozzle after using it and swapped it back.

 

[Falcon67]

I flip, spray till clear, then wipe. I have no spare tips and no cans missing propellant. My dad used to keep a small collection of tips in some paint thinner - I think - in a baby food jar. So far, I haven't had any issues and some of my cans are 10+ years on the shelf.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If I make sure the can is warm and shake the snot out of it, I rarely have a problem with clogs.

 

[torqueman2002]

Take the nozzle off the can, clear with a short blast from the air gun, and put in a baby food jar with lacquer thinner.

Clean nozzles are there when needed and saves on paint and propellant.

No problems with the lacquer thinner attacking the nozzles.

Workes for clogged nozzles also.

 

[Torque1st]

Take the nozzle off the can, clear with a short blast from the air gun, and put in a baby food jar with lacquer thinner.

Clean nozzles are there when needed and saves on paint and propellant.

No problems with the lacquer thinner attacking the nozzles.

Workes for clogged nozzles also.

Excellent info! -Thanks