Rustoleum Spray Nozzles

[dkroth]

Is there any way to revive a Rustoleum spray can once it stops spraying?

I've got a dozen cans that may sit on the shelf for months between uses. Tried to use one today to paint a small bobble. No mas. It's not the nozzle that's clogged but the valve or little straw that comes out of the top of the can.

Any options?

 

[tre873]

I usually turn the can upside down when I'm finished and spray until it comes out clear. If it's one of the "paint in any direction" cans, not sure it would work for you.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I take the spray nozzles off and put them into a jar with some strong lacquer thinner (gun wash) . When I need to spray some rattle can paint, I select a nozzle from the jar of gun wash and spray away.
Sometimes I might need to use shop air to blow back through the nozzle.
Here is another tip. I use a rubber air stem from a tire shop. Press the valve stem firmly against the top of the spray can and blow air pressure into the can. The nozzle must be off for this to work properly. I have not had a rattle can blow up, but I never excede 100 psi.

 

[cpttuna]

always keep extra nozzles that have been cleaned out.

 

[The Cobbler]

I always try to spray upside down when done, tho some of the spray at any angle cans don't do as well. I wipe the spray nozzle with my finger to clean off as much as I can. also had good luck soaking them in aggressive thinner ( acetone, lacquer thinner, etc)

 

[engineer2]

Clogged valves have been an issue with Rustoleum since day one. Sometimes upside down clearing and spare nozzles don't even work. That and over-spray that gets everywhere. I avoid Rustoleum spray paint.

 

[Sawdust859]

He's not complaining about the valves but the stem. I've had several Rust oleum plug up at the stem. Most of mine stop very soon. I think it's old paint. Like mentioned sometimes a careful blast of air into the stem will free it up for awhile but will eventually happen again.

 

[engineer2]

Is there any way to revive a Rustoleum spray can once it stops spraying?

Usually it's the valve or the nozzle. I have a plastic container full of known good nozzles. Just swap it out. Shake, shake, shake.

 

[pop pop]

I recently had results soaking the nozzle in WD40, then blowing with compressed air. Don't know if it was a fluke or what, but lacquer thinner nor any other method had ever worked.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I feel your pain. I soak the spray nozzles in lacquer thinner and then blow them out with a blow nozzle so always have extras. However, I was trying to paint my mailbox last summer, and went through 5 cans of Rustoleum that would not spray anyway. They had been on my shelf for a few years. Two of them were brand new, never opened cans! I finally got pissed and threw them all away. I used to "stock up" and buy several cans of the black when Lowe's had them on sale, but I guess Rustoleum has a limited shelf life. Not going to waste my money on it any more.

 

[raspy]

It's not the nozzle that's clogged but the valve or little straw that comes out of the top of the can. Any options?

One thing that will cause this is using the cans when they are too cold. Let them sit in a warm place until they are thoroughly warmed up. I think the instructions say not to use them below 60*, buy 70 or 80 is better. It might also be caused by not being shaken well enough before any paint is sprayed. As mentioned earlier, turn upside down and spray till clear after you are done spraying. Then don't spray the next time until well shaken.

 

[dkroth]

Gave up. Bought a new can today while at Lowe's for something else.

:-(





.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The rustoleum cans have a "spray at any angle nozzle" and can't be cleared out once you are finished spraying. I have had bad cans and a quick email to the company worked for a refund.

 

[toolchaser]

They didn't even respond to my email, my solution was to switch to Dupli-color & Valspar

 

[rattle_snake]

Krylon is a superior product IMO, have to get it at Ace.

Rustoleum is my last choice for many reasons.

 

[mikegt4]

I gave up on Rustoleum a long time ago. Most cans die when still half full. Rustoleum Pro seems a little better but not worth the high price. I also gave up on Valspar @ Lowes after they changed (cheapened) everything. Now I use Ace Hardware Premium and have had excellent results. It sprays beautifully and covers very well. The bonus that it costs less than Rustoleum or Valspar.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I buy Rustoleum at Walmart and have never had an issue with a can yet. I shake the can as I pick it up off the shelf to hear the ball rattle, and shake it while heading to the register. It goes on the shelf at the shop, and gets used as needed.

 

[ER70S-2]

Is there any way to revive a Rustoleum spray can once it stops spraying?

I've got a dozen cans that may sit on the shelf for months between uses. Tried to use one today to paint a small bobble. No mas. It's not the nozzle that's clogged but the valve or little straw that comes out of the top of the can.

Any options?

So you took nozzle off and tried pressing in the little "straw" that comes out of the top of the can? Could the can have lost pressure? For science, maybe you can carefully puncture the can to see if it is still pressurized.

 

[Marctrees]

I did not read all responses, but will report like 20 yrs ago I used like 3 dozen cans, had nozzle problems, called them and they sent me about a dozen loose nozzles.

Overall I was always happy w their paint, but not so much the nozzles.

Marc

 

[paulm12]

I use maybe a dozen cans per year, and have had a quite few plugged nozzles and a few plugged stems. The nozzles I soak in thinner, or just replace (see below). The clogged stems I could not get to work. I twice wrote to Rustoleum (online), and explained the situation. First time a few years back for the clogged nozzles, and they sent me 10 new nozzles. About a year later I wrote about the stems (I assumed that is where the clog was), and noted that several of the cans were a few years old. They asked for the numbers (date codes, etc) on the can, and then sent me a refund check for those cans.

Sometimes being nice is the way to go.

 

[gary the cobra]

Several years ago I put a note on my paint cabinet it said: No More Rustoleum. They sent me nozzles and can still wouldn't spray. Other good spray paints are available.

 

[yhprum]

I usually turn them upside down and push the nozzle and clear them out. Then I take the nozzle off and put on a brake or carb cleaner can and give it a squirt to remove the residual paint.

 

[jonshonda]

Plugging is actually an engineered function of the stem. If it's plugged you know you need to buy a new can of paint.

You're welcome!

 

[Farrier]

One thing that will cause this is using the cans when they are too cold. Let them sit in a warm place until they are thoroughly warmed up. I think the instructions say not to use them below 60*, buy 70 or 80 is better. It might also be caused by not being shaken well enough before any paint is sprayed. As mentioned earlier, turn upside down and spray till clear after you are done spraying. Then don't spray the next time until well shaken.

Winner. Most don't even consider ambient temps or the temp of the can. If i'm painting something crucial, I always warm the cans before using.

 

[gorilla]

I refuse to use Rustoleum spray cans there junk not worth the frustration. I drive across town to buy spray cans that work.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Lacquer thinner in a jar for me. My paint is very old, it happens to a bunch of different brands or paint from time to time.

 

[jdoe213]

I have only had trouble with red and primer. Black and few other colors are good.