Rustoleum spray cans, high output=****

[BRIANBB]

So I have been painting all sorts of items over the years with Rustoleum spray paints. Cars, boats, motorcycles, bikes, everything. I was always able to get a great finish that saved me money and looked almost as good as a Maaco job. Now I go to the Depot and get two or three cans(Professional High Performance Enamel) for a project at work and the can says New High Output Tip. Take it to the shop and start with the painting. First can works ok for a minute or two and then starts spitting globs of paint. ****, so I grab the next one after cleaning up the first mess and this can does the same thing then the nozzle clogs up. So I grab the third can and try again figuring they cant all be like that,,,,,,Wrong. This one from the get go was spitting paint, wait I'm sorry it was high flowing the paint onto the surface.. So I call the 800 hotline to voice my opinion. They were very nice about it all and agreed to send me my money back. I ask the guy what kind of R&D they did with this and his reply was it was fully tested and they started with the Professional series because they wanted the pro's to spread the word how great it was and made the jobs go quicker. I quickly responded and said they should have started with the cheapo line because the only market they were going after was the average joe thinking "wow I can paint that lawn chair in no time and get back to watching the game".
Anyway please call the Rustoleum hot line if you have any problems with that new spray can. Maybe we can convince the marketing guys they need to return to the old style nozzle for the professional grade as it is the only one that atomizes the paint properly. Thanks for allowing me to vent

 

[stangkid14]

I have to ask, did you shake the can prior to spraying?

 

[BRIANBB]

Just like KC and the Sunshine band said to do. Shake, Shake,Shake!!!!!!!!!!

I have to ask, did you shake the can prior to spraying?

 

[BRIANBB]

Like I said I have been using it for twenty years(Tremco as well) and have always got good results.

 

[cheap bastard]

I've used them to paint a variety of things last year. I found that the old technique of soaking the can in hot water for a few minutes before painting works wonders with that spray nozzle. I'm guessing the chunks "melt" in the can. Were you using the new water based enamel that is required in many states now? Painter's Touch is the name IIRC. There are some great colors with the brand, but the stuff is gloppy. The Ultra Cover 2X is normal enamel with a higher viscosity and larger tip. That one needs to be hot and very well mixed when sprayed. The spray speed needs to be higher also do to a tendency to run. Really, it's just too much paint at one time. I ended up with a bunch of the stuff, so it's been worth figuring it out. I found that the high temp is so important, that I keep one can in the hot water while spraying another. When the temp drops, I switch cans, and reheat the fist can. In addition, the satin finishes are "blotchy" looking. The sheen changes even where only one can is used.
Has anyone tried the "Universal" brand they have? The colors are few, but the stuff is suppose to work on most surfaces.

 

[Gary S]

I hate spray can paint with a passion. I paint as little as I can, and I've found the Rustoleum that brushes on does a nicer looking job than any spray can.

 

[Ign]

Hmm, I just went thru about 4 cans of rusty metal primer with that tip. Overall I liked it but I did notice it was running a lot of product down the front of the can. I figured it was because I was spraying stuff when it was 30 degrees or less in the shop.

Will the old tips fit? I have a small stockpile of the old tips for when they'd clog, which was pretty often.

 

[pirate]

I recently did some painting of playground equipment on a preschool playground. You have probably all seen the horses, ducks, seahorses, etc. mounted on carsprings and cemented in the ground. Plus the swing frames, geodome monkey bars, slide frames and other equipment. This stuff is amost impossible to paint with a brush. It all gets wear and tear from sandy feet, hands and bottoms and even when painted doesn't last long before it gets worn through. However, state licencing, health department and parents mandate it stays painted and looking half way decent.

I purchased about 25 tall cans of the Rustoleum Professional High Performance Enamel in various colors, safety red, safety blue, safety yellow, green and black. i don't know if this is the same paint you are talking about. I noticed some had the red spray tips and some had the new high output tip. For ease of use and covering I found the high output
tip much better then the old style red tip. The new high output tip was also much more comfortable to use with all the spraying.

I was concerned because the painting was done with temperatures only in the 55 to 60 degree range. I did not experience any clogging or blobs. I will admit the goal here was not to get a perfect finish but to add layers of paint for wear and color. I did notice that green and blue covered better then red, yellow or even black. Not sure what that was all about. All and all it came out looking pretty nice even with only minimal surface prep.

 

[airbuff101]

I had exactly the same problem with the Professional as well Brian. About a month ago and 2 different cans from same store.
I called Rustoleum and they refunded me. Asked if they had changed country of origin and she assured me they had not and it was all made right where she sat (Racine WI, it think). She told me to buy a can from a different store but I bought a different brand instead.

I now shake for a solid 2 minutes and have not had a reoccurrence.
Rob

 

[Ign]

The new high output tip was also much more comfortable to use with all the spraying.

That's why you've gotta have the clip-on trigger deal that mimicks a spray gun. It's not even an option IMO.

 

[framer]

I have had same problems but with the old professional paint cans.Some would
shake for 5 minutes befor ball rattles then another minute or so has worked.
I think it maybe old stock or just being cold. Just started some of the stuff.
I will let know later what i think .

 

[wallacemetalworks]

BRIANBB- my husband and I agree 100%!!! We are artist-blacksmiths (www.wallacemetalworks.com) and have been using Rustoleum spray paint to paint many of our items for over a decade. The new caps ****!!! They are terrible and we've been having all of the same problems you have! To make matters worse, we can't even find a spray can handle that even fits over the new "comfort tip" caps (which are extremely uncomfortable, i might add)... So now we'll probably get carpal tunnel syndrome from having to hold these new "comfort tips" for hours while we paint. I've called twice to complain and they seemed genuinely shocked that I'm unhappy. The paint drips, bubbles up and sometimes just plain doesn't want to come out. They keep telling me I must be holding it wrong - that my finger is in the way somehow. I told them that we've been spray painting for over a decade and we're not idiots. The customer service rep did say he'd mail me spray can handle that should fit over these new caps (if he can find one) ... so we'll see about that. I also told the rep to PLEASE include us in their next test group for spray paint because it's obvious that the people who tested these new caps do NOT depend on the quality and comfort of this product the way we do! I just think they should have designed this new "comfort tip" to be optional - we REALLY wish that the old caps could fit on these new spray can bottles!!!! it would make the life of THIS professional a LOT easier

 

[oldwheelieguy]

Im going to agree 100% with the OP, I tried to repaint my winter wheels with this and they came out like ****. had to strip them back down and used duplicolor.

 

[54FordPanel]

I did a thread about refinishing my Dad's patio set, and I used the new cans, and I hated them. Returned 1 can to HD for clogging, but the coverage was bad, and the nozzle made my finger hurt. I'd never buy them again.
I don't know what they were thinking when they brought them out, or who did their testing on this product, but I hated the new cans.

 

[Sterff]

I don't care for them either. I buy the Ace hardware rust stop brand of paint and it actually holds up very well. The only Rustoleum I use anymore is the High temp BBQ paint for on suspensions etc.

 

[wallacemetalworks]

I just submitted a complaint here: http://www.rustoleum.com/cbgcorporate.asp?sn=cu
I included a link to this thread, so hopefully they will get the message that professionals who demand perfection can NOT work with these horrible new spray cans!

 

[1948]

whats annoying is the flat fan tip ones, those are fine for big flat panels, but they **** for wierd stuff like bike frames ect! and the tips arent interchangeable!

 

[Rezarf]

Huh, I just used two cans that really spit all over the place. I am going to call them too. I used to love the stuff.

 

[Plombob]

I used to swear by Rustoleum, now I swear at them. I bought the last can a couple of years ago and that was it for me. Half the paint was left in the can when the propellant quit, and the paint sputtered when it did spray. It was a waste of money.

 

[JasonTX]

The new cans do flow a lot more paint, thus require better control. I put down 10 cans and loved it with a spray handle, I am switching to a real gun for big jobs now though. With rattle cans it is very important to keep the can temp up or your pressure will drop, thne its sfpt! Sfprt! Drip, drip.

 

[sammon287]

I had the same problem with the new tip clogging prematurely after plenty of shaking on a 65-75 degree day. I had to soak it in spirits and blow out with air just to finish the small rust patch job I was doing.

 

[shoot summ]

Had the same problem with some oil rubbed bronze I sprayed on my gates. Finally took the stupid cap off of the can, took the nozzle out of it and used it that way. Works 100% better but overall it is a horrible design. I couldn't find the color in any other can and my wife was dead set on that color.

 

[wallacemetalworks]

I got an email from Rustoleum asking for receipts and paint can numbers so they can refund my money. They also mailed me a free spray paint handle to use with the new tips on the cans and they seem to minimize the flow of paint somehow. Of course, it's a large, bulky handle, so i'm sure if I paint continuously, the paint will drip off the sides of the handle head onto my wrought iron items for customers... Still hate the new cans though

 

[lametec]

Add me to the list of unhappy people. Same problems with the new tip here, and that's during the heat of summer (90°+ F). I also only seem to be able to get about 2/3 of the contents out before they refuse to spray any more.

 

[ChristopherLutz]

Thumbs Up to the OP - I also HATE these new nozzles.

Aside from spraying problems (oh..and they charge you more at the outset) - you are more or less forced to use the whole can.

As advertised, it sprays at any angle....so - no way to clean the nozzle. I used 1/3 of a can painting some outside lights came back the next day to do another coat...completely clogged.

What a pain - I will NEVER buy this paint (in this config) again.

<sigh>

 

[garboui]

When I reach for a rattle can of enamel, its usually Tremclad or Krylon if im in a rush. Though this past summer for a project I needed some Caterpillar yellow. Went down to the CAT dealership and picked up some rattle cans of their rattle can primer and enamel. For the ~$10cdn a can, this is by far the absolute best rattlecan paint I have ever used for a durable single stage paint. Only caveat is that you are limited with only about a dozen colours,

 

[Zeke]

I have had more problems with rattle cans lately then ever before. Is it the nozzle or some new environmentally friendly propellant? Shaking more doesn't do ****.

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

I used about 8 cans of grey primer this summer and they worked fine for me. I shook the bajeepers out of them and it was about 90 degrees outside, which may have helped.

 

[psp]

I thought I was the only one, Rustoleum is garbage. i dont like the way they spray, and I have thrown away a 3/4 full can on multiple occasions because it just stopped spraying. And it tiger stripes like no other.

Krylon all day

 

[Schtauffer]

Those new spray nozzles are the worst I have ever used. The regular ones that were used for decades are much better.

 

[BJ42LX]

You want high volume?!

I had a half can of Rustoleum with a conventional tip. The tip was clogged. I grabbed an empty can of Brake Clean and pulled the tip off that and put it on the paint can.

WHOA! What a blast! It was like painting with a fire hose! I held the can about 24" from the axle and sprayed away! (I was painting a third member). I was able to empty the can in about 20 seconds. Even with the high volume I only had one run. HAHAHAHAHA.....

 

[Ign]

Well after using more of these tips on various colors and primers, I have to agree they're no good. I'm just flat out disappointed as I love Rustoleum otherwise - it's durable, looks good, requires near zero prep, doesnt' care about dirty or rusty surfaces, and is readily available at most hardware stores.

I've sent an email to corporate and am snail mailing a letter, too. Not that I expect any change.....

 

[johnnybentwrench]

I just submitted a complaint here: http://www.rustoleum.com/cbgcorporate.asp?sn=cu
I included a link to this thread, so hopefully they will get the message that professionals who demand perfection can NOT work with these horrible new spray cans!

Good! The new caps **** and the paint does not come out or spits. Dupli color now instead

 

[cglasgow]

Are you referring to these? 'Cause these **** big time!

 

[BRIANBB]

Nope. But I dont have a picture handy. I sent off another email yesterday and directed them to this thread.

 

[cglasgow]

Good -- hopefully they'll look. If they do, they should know that the ones like the one I pictured also spit, sputter, and stop spraying prematurely.

 

[shoot summ]

Are you referring to these? 'Cause these **** big time!

That is the one I've had issues with.

Just remove the entire cap, take the nozzle out of the cap, install just the nozzle on the can, works much better.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wonder how much of the change is a result of trying to follow EPA guidelines. Maybe a propellant change to something more eco-friendly and a less oil based paint and more of a water based paint.

 

[Ign]

Are you referring to these? 'Cause these **** big time!

No, but that style is also horrible. We tried the "Universal" once and swore never again. It was like spraying chunky peanut butter.

So, regarding the new nozzles, Rustoleum also offered to refund my money. I don't completely understand that mentality. I mean, ok, it's a stand-up thing to do............but it doesn't address the long term problem of a poor design.

It's as if they're saying, "Sorry, we'll give you your money back and you can now buy paint from our competitors because we really don't care." That business model can only survive for a finite amount of time.

Just to say "screw you" I'd like to see how many cans they'll refund for me until they catch on. BUT I won't do it because 1)it's unethical and 2)they'll eventually dismiss my complaints as a consumer who complains just to get free product.

I get the feeling that talking to Rustoleum product support is like talking to Sears customer service: they have no ability to actually fix the problem and really just want to pacify you long enough to make you go away.

 

[walperstyle]

note: to anyone that re-uses spray paint, make sure you tip the can upside down and spray to clean the nozzle out.

Apparently new generations of kids don't know this