Problem with Rustoleum paint ?

[softailgarage]

Is anybody having any problems with Rustoleum spray paints. I now have 5 cans, 3/4 to 1/2 full that wont spray. It's like there clogged but I clean the spray tips every time I'm done The last can (red) would only work holding the can upside down, which after drying left a "matted" finish The only thing in common is they all have the wide, white tip. Also, the paint seems to drip from the tip onto whatever is being painted, it's a pain in the ***. All 5 cans were bought at seperate times, different stores, so I dont think it's a problem of a "bad shippment". Just thought I'd check here first before a rip Rustoleum a new one.

 

[ablebaker]

I've been having the same experience with Rustoleum, doesn't matter whether it's the new wide spray nozzle or the old one the paint clogs in the can. I've tried soaking them in hot water for an hour, leaving them in the sun, etc.etc, and they still don't work. I threw away five cans last week that were at least three quarters full and less than a year old. I am through with Rustoleum, I will drive an extra five miles to get Krylon or whatever else they have. End of rant.

 

[sanddan]

Same exact problem I had last weekend painting cabinets for my wife. She bought the rustoleum paint for the job (I haven't bought that stuff for years) so I had to use it. She returned 4 of the cans to Home Depot as defective so at least it wasn't a total loss.

 

[rburke65]

Problems here also. As I spray, I have more paint collecting below the plastic spray nozzle on top of the can. And not once but every time with these newer cans. I think I am done with the Rustoleum spray paint. I even had the guy a Autozone tell me....'ya know, you have to soak these in hot water before you use them!'. ah.......NO.

 

[jonese]

I had the same problem with a can of sail blue this week. I cleaned the tip several times and even used tips from other cans including a krylon can but they all got clogged after a just a little spraying. I guess it's the paint not the tip itself.

 

[softailgarage]

Alright, so Im not fricken nuts (well,...).Good news for me, baaad for Rustoleum. I'll be gettin' ahold of them tomorrow and post whatever happens. Personnally, for the wasted time, money and aggrevation, not to mention reworks...they owe me.

 

[197044RT]

Same Here...

Welded up a dock gate at the warehouse last week and used rustoleum spray cans to cover up the bare metal - ended up with more on my hands and ground than I got on the work!

terrible experience for sure - no more Rustoleum spray cans for me.

 

[Wingnut65]

Ditto. I've been having the same problems. I've gone to the Krylon cans and have really gotten spoiled with the 10 minute dry time.

But it seems the only R paint that I've had any luck with is the Hammered paints. Maybe with the different chemical components of the paint, they changed the nozzles.

 

[djkeev]

Yep, it's a well documented "problem" and I've experienced the frustration of no spray as well!!

Well, if it's tips, they offer replacement tips you can BUY!!

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=39

Though I think the problem is much deeper in the inherent design of the 'new" system.

Dave

 

[JimVonBaden]

The sad part is that the Rustoleum spray paint, while slow to dry, is some of the best for high exposure paint.

Jim

 

[Gary S]

I agree with Jim. Rustoleum paint has great durability. I use the brush on stuff however because it covers better. Four years ago I bought an ornamental iron fence. It was powder coated black. The powder coating was rusting at the end of one summer. I painted over the powder coating with black brush on rustoleum paint, and the rustoleum has lasted better for the past 3 years than the powder coating did for one year.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I agree with Jim. Rustoleum paint has great durability. I use the brush on stuff however because it covers better. Four years ago I bought an ornamental iron fence. It was powder coated black. The powder coating was rusting at the end of one summer. I painted over the powder coating with black brush on rustoleum paint, and the rustoleum has lasted better for the past 3 years than the powder coating did for one year.

Absolutely!

Roll-on Rustoleum.

Spray-on jams

Roll-on paint with a little polish!

Jim

 

[countryroad82]

I have been having problems with the Professional line myself. Quit buying it and have been using the smaller cans now.

 

[buening]

I typically pull the tip from the can and use compressed air to blow out the clog (use rubber tipped blow nozzle). I also keep a small needle in the tool box to stick in the tip if the compressed air doesn't work. But yeah, I've had the problem with many types of spray bombs.

 

[softailgarage]

Agreed on the Hammered paint, no problems. I emailed "R" this morning with a copy of this thread, we'll see what happens.

 

[Big-Foot]

I've had similar problems with Rustoleum cans - more lately though..

I don't throw away spray nozzles though.. If they are not plugged up by the end of the can, I pull them and put them ina ziplock bag so I can replaced plugged up nozzels..

I have also used a wide open tip ( drilled out ) to purge any thick loads of paint outof the straw.. If I plug two nozzles in a row - one right after the other - a "purge" cycle is needed..

One thing that you need to do is to shake the ever lovin' do-dah out of the cans if you run into any plugging episodes.. That plugging is usually from poorly mixed paint..

Well, that's my $.02 worth on the subject.. Maybe not all the problems are fault of Rustoleum...

 

[impala4speed]

Well, same problem here as well. I knew better than to buy another can of Rustoluem spray paint but I wanted something high gloss and very durable so I tried a can of Appliance Epoxy white to refinish an old bathroom medicine cabinet thinking that this particular product might work better. No dice. Although the finish is glossy the nozzle spit paint so now the finish looks like ****. And I doubt I'll be able to sand this epoxy finish very easily. Yeah, I'm just a little upset with Rustoleum and also with myself; I shoulda' known better.

 

[softailgarage]

I've had similar problems with Rustoleum cans - more lately though..

I don't throw away spray nozzles though.. If they are not plugged up by the end of the can, I pull them and put them ina ziplock bag so I can replaced plugged up nozzels..

I have also used a wide open tip ( drilled out ) to purge any thick loads of paint outof the straw.. If I plug two nozzles in a row - one right after the other - a "purge" cycle is needed..

One thing that you need to do is to shake the ever lovin' do-dah out of the cans if you run into any plugging episodes.. That plugging is usually from poorly mixed paint..

Well, that's my $.02 worth on the subject.. Maybe not all the problems are fault of Rustoleum...

Good idea with the tips, I'll start doing that (if I ever get a "good" can again). The second red can in the picture would work if I "shake the ever lovin' do-dah " out of the can, but still, it's shake for 3 minutes, spray for 10 seconds. Makes for a very long day .

 

[Printer Mike]

Guess I have been lucky. Have used it for lots of projects with good results...

 

[bd8134]

Same problem here. Also got fed up with the long dry time and the mess it causes with overspray. Gone to Duplicolor for engine enamel and exhaust paint. Sooo much nicer, great finish, fast dry and best of all no clogged nozzles.
Bad part is that Autozone carries Rustoleum the same as Home depot etc, bit more of a hunt for Duplicolor.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I quit using R spray paint some time ago, I'd change nozzles and it still didn't work...clog must be happening before the paint even gets to the nozzle.

 

[lametec]

It's been discussed before: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88304

 

[geologist]

I had a can of yellow (Cadmium Yellow, I think?) that sprayed fine with the button fully depressed, but no sooner than I would release the button (finishing a pass) it would deposit large droplets.

 

[softailgarage]

So I emailed Rustoleum yesterday morning with a copy of this thread and got an immediate reply stating they would refund all my money if I provided them with the lot numbers on the bottom of the cans, which I did (glad I didn't just toss the cans). They also offered to send replacement nozzels, but I told them I think the problem is the paint itself, but I dont know for sure . Anyhoo, I did check the other thread on this problem, obviously this has been a problem for awhile now and doesn't look like it's gonna be corrected by Rustoleum, so I'll be buying Krylon from now on. Kinda ****'s cause I still have 29 cans on the shelf It really pisses me off to see a good company go to ****, ignore customer complaints and STILL keep selling the bad product. Too much of that goes on today, It didn't seem to be like that years ago or maybe I'm just getting old and wiser

 

[geologist]

Maybe they dont manufacture the nozzles? Something is a miss.

 

[Gregishome]

I have used a LOT of the R-Industrial spray can paint at work the passed 10 years on black iron fences/ gates/metal patio furniture and have had good luck with the cans with the small black spray heads.... Dont think I recall getting a bad can...

Last year they started putting the "30% more spray/ wide angle" white spray heads on their cans that also spray in all positions. Problem with this design is, you can no longer turn the can upside down and clear the spray nozzle like could be done with the old style black sprayheads. Hmmm, that was clever marketing, I either have to now use the whole can or buy another later.

P.S. The logo on the can, "Stop Rusts" kinks my drawers too, whenever I read that one. Yeah right, every auto body shop would be full of rustoleum paints if that were true.

 

[Ign]

Anyhoo, I did check the other thread on this problem, obviously this has been a problem for awhile now and doesn't look like it's gonna be corrected by Rustoleum, so I'll be buying Krylon from now on.

Good for you. Did you try the fix as outlined in post 45? I have not yet, but need to. I still use a lot of Rustoleum, and it still drips all over my work and my floor.

I even wrote (snail mail) Rustoleum about it, and they replied. They seem genuinely surprised and also wanted the lot numbers. I find it hilarious because it doesn't matter - ALL the cans do this. I saved the letter from the cust svc rep - he asked me to call, and even offered free cases of paint. Again, I don't want to do this - I'm not out for free product.

The problem has to be the tips, why do people think it's the paint? This problem never existed before with the old red tips.

If you switch to Krylon I'm curious how it does. IME it fades and peels within weeks - - months best case.

 

[Ign]

Yep, it's a well documented "problem" and I've experienced the frustration of no spray as well!!

Well, if it's tips, they offer replacement tips you can BUY!!

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=39

Though I think the problem is much deeper in the inherent design of the 'new" system.

Dave

These just look like the old red tips??

 

[JimVonBaden]

Sounds like Rustoleum is at least pretending to care. Fast responses and offers of replacements is pretty good. I would have taken it on the off chance that the new stuff is better.

Jim

 

[pist0lpete]

A friend of mine is a graffiti artist, and I asked him about this today... He described the new Rustoleum as "the biggest problem in my life right now."

It was very cool to get his perspective... It's always interesting to talk to someone who has a deep knowledge of an obscure topic. I learned alot about paint and spray tips; there are a wide variety of tips available for purchase online, and apparently there are stores in Philly that cater to guys who "paint."

http://www.bombingscience.com/shop-tips.htm

Check it out, some of these might come in handy to some of us! Might be worth 5 bucks (plus shipping) for the Sample Pack, just to give it a shot.

 

[Ign]

http://www.bombingscience.com/shop-tips.htm

Check it out, some of these might come in handy to some of us! Might be worth 5 bucks (plus shipping) for the Sample Pack, just to give it a shot.

Interesting and thanks for passing along info. It looks like there's 1 cap that might fit Rustoleum (NY Thins) and 1 that definitely should (Rusto Fats). At $1 per 5 pack of each, I guess you'd be better to spend the $2 and try them out...........assuming you're only interested in Rustoleum (I am).

 

[ntonkin]

Try pulling off the nozzle and soaking it in Rustoleum thinner/cleaner and then fill the small cavity where the nozzle goes with the Rustoleum thinner/cleaner. Let this soak for 5 - 10 minutes. Take the cleaned nozzle and insert in the cavity and pump it.... if it doesn't start spraying, repeat the process. I've never had it take more than twice for even ancient cans of Rustoleum will start to work. Of course even before starting this, I set the can in hot water, let it warm up good and really shake the hell out of it.

Is anybody having any problems with Rustoleum spray paints. I now have 5 cans, 3/4 to 1/2 full that wont spray. It's like there clogged but I clean the spray tips every time I'm done The last can (red) would only work holding the can upside down, which after drying left a "matted" finish The only thing in common is they all have the wide, white tip. Also, the paint seems to drip from the tip onto whatever is being painted, it's a pain in the ***. All 5 cans were bought at seperate times, different stores, so I dont think it's a problem of a "bad shippment". Just thought I'd check here first before a rip Rustoleum a new one.

 

[Fixnfly]

Rustoleum seems to have problems with a few of their products, their deck coating "restore" is one. My co-worker tried the counter top restoration kit and it did not turnout well even though he followed the directions.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Worst paint on the market.

 

[RODDOORS]

It's been a problem since the new improved white nozzle, Surely they know this. I keep taking them back to Lowes - no problem.

 

[pepi]

I use the clear regularly for some projects. Take what I about to say anyway you want. But my habit has always been to turn the can upside down and spray to clear the nozzle. That would work with the old small ones, this new larger one seems to take longer to clear and may not clear at all. I had a new can used it once took the nozzle off and dropped it into lacquer thinner, until the next use, removed it popped in on the can ...... clog, blew out the nozzle it was clear. Put it back on, one shot of paint and clog, pump it again sprits... clog. Every time I pushed the nozzle that was the way it would act, never would spray.

Ok now not so happy, it is holding things up, back to the HD return and get a new can.
Somewhere in the conversation it was mention that the new style nozzle is somehow made that when you finish the paint application, you do not clean it. Just set it aside and it will work fine when needed.

Used this last can of clear with a month or two in between and no problems with clogging. I know this sounds like a fish story and hesitated to offer it up but FWIW, I have found to be true.

@rdn2blazer
''Worst paint on the market.'' not true, you prep the surface right is works just fine, covers good, as enamel it flows out nicely and is polishable. However I am interested in what you think is a great alternative.

 

[driz]

Yes a thread resurrection just so I can rant in honor of the 4 cans I have filled to various levels out in the garage. Of course a look across the shelf shows that none of my other cans have tops on them either as I took them all off to use to get the junk rustolium out of the can for some small immediate project. Of course as everyone else finds you use it and the nozzle becomes plugged and joins the rest of the 20 or so sitting in the lacquer thinner (not that it does any good really) . This stuff is absolutely hands down the worst **** I have ever seen and it didn't used to be. One method I find that seems to work hit or miss, drill out the inside of the straw with a tiny drill bit using your fingers to turn it. You get lots of dried stringy paint out of there and it sprays like **** but if you are fast and good enough you can pull it off. Never again no more EVER. I know what the answer is, KRYLON. buy it use it and be happy because it comes out of the can,

 

[mikeceli]

Probably due to the VOC requirements.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Interestingly, I have used a LOT of Rustoleum paint recently, and all of it comes out of the can great and looks fantastic. See my posts on the motorcycle I am building.

 

[creativecars]

I have had all the above problems with spray cans, regardless of brand. Not uncommon.
One thing I will recommend is getting the paint several days before you are going to use it. Shake well and start storing it upside down, 4 hours later shake again and let sit right side up. Do this several times to get the paint off the bottom. Remember how long this has had the solids and resins settling in the bottom of the can.

This does not help if the nozzle is the problem, but if the solids or resins are plugging up in the bottom, it does help.