Dead spray cans-HELP!

[Manowar]

Over the years I've been stuck with spray cans that don't or stop spraying. You've seen the type-"25% more for the same price!" The tall cans are the worst offenders. Just a waste of money.

I have brake clean, carb cleaner, Kroil and WD-40 cans. They either don't spray or, like the Kroil, just fizz around the nozzle but don't actually spray. Most just don't allow the nozzle to depress.

My question is, does anyone know a safe method to get the contents out of the cans? I'd like to transfer the liquids to regular tin quart cans for use. Hate to throw away full cans of stuff you need in the garage. I know-no puncturing the cans and I don't. I have tried soaking the nozzles and can tops in lacquer thinner to no avail.

Any tips appreciated.

 

[Falcon67]

When I was a kid, a .177 round from a CO2 pistol was good for getting the extras out of a pressurized can. On 7/4, I'd hang them over grandpa's burn barrel for special effect.

My dad used to keep all his color paint spray tips in a baby food jar with thinner. I always clear the tips with the upside down method, then a quick tip wipe with a rag. I usually don't have any problems even if they sit for a long time.

 

[Zeke]

Why not ice pick the cans? I do it all the time. I first puncture near the top to let out any pressure. A pretty small hole. Then I do the bottom at the rim and let the contents flow.

 

[spy604]

If the can wont spray (out of pressure) then its safe to punch a hole in it and drain it out.

 

[graffix000]

Just puncture the can to get the contents. If they don't spray now, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[sberry]

Take an hour,,, get it over with, toss them all out, move on.

 

[rlitman]

If you can squeeze the sides of the can in, then you're out of propellent, and with no pressure, you can ice-pick the cans, and drain them into the container of your choice.

If they feel like there's pressure inside, I suppose you can get a "side can tap", and use that. They're normally used for getting R134a from a can, but would work for anything else too, I guess.

It's caused by environmental laws making companies use propellents that are not as good. Back when CFCs could be used as a propellent, cans didn't really have this problem. Now, with CO2, it happens a lot.

 

[Manowar]

Thanks for the facts and tips all.

 

[Zeke]

Cans that appear to not have any pressure always have a little. Enough to make a big mess if you puncture into the liquid contents. Always open up a little hole up top to be sure.
Besides, that becomes your vent hole to empty the can.

The stream will almost always come just about straight out of the side of the can. Be prepared for that by squirting into something with a backsplash. If you try to hit a jar, small can or open funnel, you will have contents all over the place. Cut the side out of a plastic milk container where you can aim and eventually place the whole can to drain.

 

[tcsalvage]

put them on the floor and step on them to crush the sides in, that gets most of the contents out after that just chuck them and move to the next one. not worth the hassle to mess with them to much when they stop working.

 

[Joe B.]

fire

 

[mslisaj]

Interesting discussion...................

I like everyone else has been plagued by this problem. If the can is truly out of air I will puncture the top of the can with a rag over it to let the last of the propellant out. Then I will pour out the oil or what ever was in it and use it that way. With paint cans have pulled out the nozzle and taken my air hose and put it over the valve and given it a couple of short blast of air, enough to charge the can a little and then it will spray again. I know some folks will think this is not being too smart but it works and I'm very judicious with the amount of pressure I'm putting in the can.

Be careful, think about what your doing and go for it. It works for me.

Lisa

 

[Manowar]

fire

Then how do you get the scalding WD out?



-think I'll let the missus try this one....

 

[Brad54]

Take an hour,,, get it over with, toss them all out, move on.

Exactly.
Besides dicking around with them to get the contents out, now you want to find other containers to put the contents into?
What's your time worth? Plus the cost of the other containers?

Money is tight, but it'd have to get a helluva lot tighter before I try salvaging the contents of spary cans.

-Brad

 

[mslisaj]

Exactly.
Besides dicking around with them to get the contents out, now you want to find other containers to put the contents into?
What's your time worth? Plus the cost of the other containers?

Money is tight, but it'd have to get a helluva lot tighter before I try salvaging the contents of spary cans.

-Brad

Hi Brad,

Well, while I will agree with you that our time is worth a lot more nothing makes me madder then to have a can that is half full or more with WD40 and have it give out. I love the product but the darn cans just don't spray to the end or even close for that matter. So I do go in and get that contents and after I salvage two cans I have a full one that I put in a hand trigger spray bottle. Now on paint, I won't go after the little bit that is left but if I need just a few more shots to finish a project out of this can I will recharge it and finish.

So it can be very worth while in some instances...........

Lisa

 

[srmofo]

If you like wd40, just but it by the gallon and put it into a a squirt bottle...or hell buy a sure shot.

The only reason I save cans like that is to shoot em up when I head out to the farm

 

[camarotoolman]

I have a board with a spike stiking out, like a pungi stick in nam. I puncture the top of the can and point and spay. Works for an old shovel, vise or something not that good. I resell the **** anyway, something painted sells better. here I get paint free at the household recycle at our dump. Helps the environment too.

 

[Manowar]

Exactly.
Besides dicking around with them to get the contents out, now you want to find other containers to put the contents into?
What's your time worth? Plus the cost of the other containers?
-Brad

Dude,
You may be a pro on the clock but I'm an amateur. I'm not a cheap ******* but these cans I have are virtually full.
Plus I hate starting a brake job or such and have to run to the parts store for **** like this. Plus I have clean quart cans from lacquer thinner, Unseal and acetone-no sweat to store Kroil, brake and carb clean.

And Sr- I do use gallons of WD and the squirt bottles. Makes it easy to add these wasted contents to the supply.

None of my problem cans are paint. I know how to keep those clean and flowing.

 

[Zeke]

I'll tell you what IS a waste of your time: taking flak from someone on a forum. If you're gonna do it, just do it. Thanks for coming here and asking. Some here are ready to help.

 

[Manowar]

Some here are ready to help.

-and you have.
Tough crowd here. I have not pushed the discussion beyond my original question and the thanks to those that helped.
Won't take up any more of your time.
At ease.

 

[luvmyhondas]

I'll tell you what IS a waste of your time: taking flak from someone on a forum. If you're gonna do it, just do it. Thanks for coming here and asking. Some here are ready to help.

EXACTLY!

 

[John in OH]

I know exactly the frustration you have with partially full cans going dead. It happens to me all the time ... particularly with spray paint cans ... even when I invert them and blow out the nozzle when I'm done using them.

It seems to me that most of the time something plugs the VALVE within the can. I pull the spray nozzle cap off the top of the can to expose the small tube that goes down into the can where the valve is located. Take a small guage nail or wire and gently place it into the tube. Taking the can and facing the top AWAY from your face and body, push down on the nail/wire and force it down into the tube to force open the valve. Often I hold the nail against a tree trunk and then push the can toward the tree. Result is usually a burst of paint out of the tube, around the nail and onto the tree trunk! Remove nail and replace nozzle cap and the can will most often function properly again.

 

[rlitman]

Or just turn the can upside down when you're done spraying, and blow out the nozzle.

 

[Vettman]

I think the EPA made them change the propellant (maybe Bush did it ) . Probably not as good as they "old stuff". I use an ice pick

 

[RonRock]

I was hoping someone had a great solution to the issue. I also have a lot of cans of different stuff that won't spray.

 

[cnc-me]

Use a rubber tipped blow gun and repressure-ize them with compressed air.

 

[jweller]

Whatever you do, don't fiddle with the nozzle for a minute and then think "oh I'll get to this later" and put the cap back on it and return it to the cabinet. I did that and and returned to a strong smell of paint and a paint cabinet filled with paint, now out of the can.

apparently after I removed the nozzle, fiddled with it, and then stuck it back on the can, whatever was stuck, unstuck itself, and sprayed the contents, a pretty much brand new can, out.

you just gotta laugh

 

[M3Pilot]

If you want to safely de-pressurize the cans, stick them in the freezer for an hour or so.