Salvage a paint can?

[aurfalien]

Hi,

I've a rather expensive can of paint which no longer sprays.  I've tried different nozzles etc and the problem looks to be inside the can.

Since I can't decant it due to lack of spray, is there another other way to get the paint out of it?

I'm guessing no.

I was going to put it in the freezer over night and then take a pellet gun to it so that I can get the paint out but this sounds too juvenile.

[espo]

Hi,

I've a rather expensive can of paint which no longer sprays.  I've tried different nozzles etc and the problem looks to be inside the can.

Since I can't decant it due to lack of spray, is there another other way to get the paint out of it?

I'm guessing no.

I was going to put it in the freezer over night and then take a pellet gun to it so that I can get the paint out but this sounds too juvenile.

More things to worry about than juvenile. If the can still has the propellant it has more pressure than you may realize. I don't have any bright ideas on how to get the paint to come out but there are many others here that can give you something to try. If you're going to write off the can I would suggest as great a distance as possible between you and the can when you open fire.   

[Ace-Garageguy]

There are ways to decant pant other than spraying it through the nozzle.

Shooting the can with a pellet gun isn't among the recommended ones.

lowering the temperature, as in the freezer as you mention, WILL lower the internal pressure significantly.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Longbox55]

 https://youtu.be/InXaSfYqUeI

This might work so that you can at least decant the paint.

 

[Harry P.]

If the problem was "inside the can," the only logical explanation is that the propellant has somehow escaped. And if that is the case... if there was some sort of leak in the can, you would also see evidence of paint escaping through that leak. No way the propellant could escape without some of the paint taking that same route.

Take the can, minus the nozzle, hold it pointed away from you and towards some newspaper, unbend a paper clip and insert it into the nozzle hole. If paint shoots out, the problem isn't the can, it's the nozzle.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If the problem was "inside the can," the only logical explanation is that the propellant has somehow escaped.

Ummm...no. It's entirely possible for the "dip tube" or the valve to get clogged and be impossible to clear. Happens all the time.

Solids precipitate out of suspension, form a hard deposit on the bottom, and clog up into the tube. Propellant is still there, blocked pickup tube keeps it from spraying.

OR, the can will spray OK for a second or three, but the deposits on the bottom will get pushed up the tube and clog the valve.

Most often happens to cans that have been on the shelf a LONG time...which is why it's important to shake the holy snot out of it prior to decanting.

 

Edited June 4, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[aurfalien]

First many thanks for all the replies as I didn't think I'd get any.

I think the dip tube etc as Monsignor Ace mentioned is clogged.

The nozzle has been thoroughly cleaned and tested on other cans.

I called the manufacturer who said there paint is thick and requires much shaking.  They are sending me out a new can free of charge, it's a pity this nearly full can won't be used.

Even if I freeze it, who knows, the paint itself could be damaged.

 

[Harry P.]

Hey, you're getting a free can of paint! Winning!

[Ace-Garageguy]

it's a pity this nearly full can won't be used.

Even if I freeze it, who knows, the paint itself could be damaged.

As I mentioned, there ARE ways to get the paint out of the can even if the valve or dip tube are clogged.

The problem is that they CAN be a little dangerous...not really, and I'm used to doing it, but it's not a procedure I'd explain because of the possibility of something going wrong.

'Bout the worst you can have happen is to get startled and drop the can, which could let paint kinda spray all over everything...which kinda sucks. I've done it.  

Anyway, freezing the can won't "damage" the paint. Jus' 'bout the only thing that WILL damage it is exposure to air.

But like Harry said, "Hey, you're getting a free can of paint! Winning! "

Edited June 5, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[aurfalien]

Hey, you're getting a free can of paint! Winning!

Yep, u b right!  It's the miser in me that I must surpress

 

Edited June 5, 2016 by aurfalien

[Harry Joy]

This may or may not apply here, I don't know. But when I still played with cans of Testors paint, they clogged up constantly. All it took to get them flowing again was to shake them real good, then spray them upside-down.

[Yenkocamaro]

This may or may not apply here, I don't know. But when I still played with cans of Testors paint, they clogged up constantly. All it took to get them flowing again was to shake them real good, then spray them upside-down.

Just make sure to shake the SNOT out of it

 

Cheers,

Lance

[935k3]

Try taking the nozzle off then take an eye dropper and drop some lacquer thinner down the valve.

[slusher]

If the can has been exposed to heat the propellant can be gone without losing paint...

[astroracer]

Put the can in the freezer for an hour. It won't hurt the paint. If you have a scratch awl wrap a rag or paper towel around the point and use it to make a small hole in the top of the can. Any propellant left in the can will vent out the small hole and leave the paint in the bottom. When all of the propellant is gone make the hole bigger so you can pour the paint out into another jar. I've done this many times and it works well if you are careful when making the initial hole. DON'T shoot it with a pellet gun!

Mark

Edited June 5, 2016 by astroracer

[Ace-Garageguy]

Astroracer has the hot setup, and because HE posted it and you can deal with HIS lawyers if you hurt yourself or get paint all over the cat, I'll elaborate some on his technique.

FIRST>>>WEAR GOOD EYE PROTECTION. 

Second:  You need to have the can upright when you breach it so only propellant comes out and not paint.

Look at the illustration above. The best place, usually, to breach the can is on the top end panel, just inside the outer ring that is crimped to hold the can sides to the top. You can hammer the awl or punch straight down at that location. 

Third: It's FAR easier if you put the can in a vise to hold it securely upright and stable, rather than trying to hold the can with one hand, the hammer with the second hand, the awl or punch with the third hand, etc.,...unless you're blessed with lots more hands than come as standard equipment for humans.

Fourth: THINK about the direction you're going to be hitting the awl or punch relative to how the can is supported, and plan accordingly. It seems obvious, but it's easy to knock the can out of the vise and end up with paint spraying out the hole as the can goes rocket-propelled across the floor.

Fifth: Shake the dog-snot out of the can prior to breaching it to get as much pigment and solids back in suspension as possible.

Sixth: Be prepared to be startled by the rush of pressure out the hole when you breach it. And have a rag nearby to catch any paint that may spray out...even though it shouldn't.

Seventh: Gloves are a good idea too.   

 

Edited June 5, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[peteski]

The propellant (butane or other gases) partially exists in a liquid state (mixed with the paint).  When decompressed rapidly as when punching the hole in the can and then removing the awl out of the hole, that will quickly decrease the pressure inside the can causing the propellant dissolved in the paint to start turning into gas (boiling). That will cause the paint to foam up and it will come out through the hole.  Think of what happens when you shake a can of Coca-Cola and then you open it up.

This can be done, but make the hole as small as possible and after puncturing, keep the awl in the hole, using it to restrict and cotntrol the release of pressure. When done slowly, you won't lose too much paint. Also be sure to do this in some area which will not be messed up by paint splatter and wear face protection and old clothes (just in case).

[BigTallDad]

I've been ridiculed elsewhere for suggesting this, but I've tried it and it works. An ice maker kit from Lowes, Home Depot etc.......2 screw type radiator hose clamps that will fit the can.......and the paint can.

The ice maker kit contains a valve that permits a controlled incursion into a water pipe; the same applies to a paint can.

Use the hose clamps to attach the valve to the can, slowly tighten the valve, and puncture the can. When you loosen the valve (not the hose clamps) paint will flow if there is any pressure within the can, so have your collecting container ready. A short piece of tubing (probably included in the kit) will make the transfer easier.

If, when loosening the valve, nothing comes out, that would be an indication that there is no propellant inside the can.

[Mike C]

What I've done it turn the can upside down, then drill into the side with a pin vise close to the bottom. Then I can pour the paint into an airbrush bottle. Then I seal the hole with a piece of tape over it.

Edited June 8, 2016 by Mike C

[Ace-Garageguy]

The propellant (butane or other gases) partially exists in a liquid state (mixed with the paint).  When decompressed rapidly as when punching the hole in the can and then removing the awl out of the hole, that will quickly decrease the pressure inside the can causing the propellant dissolved in the paint to start turning into gas (boiling). That will cause the paint to foam up and it will come out through the hole.  Think of what happens when you shake a can of Coca-Cola and then you open it up.

This can be done, but make the hole as small as possible and after puncturing, keep the awl in the hole, using it to restrict and cotntrol the release of pressure. When done slowly, you won't lose too much paint. Also be sure to do this in some area which will not be messed up by paint splatter and wear face protection and old clothes (just in case).

Yup,this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to remember. I was remiss in neglecting to explain all of this thoroughly. As stated above...

"This can be done, but make the hole as small as possible and after puncturing, keep the awl in the hole, using it to restrict and control the release of pressure. When done slowly, you won't lose too much paint. Also be sure to do this in some area which will not be messed up by paint splatter and wear face protection and old clothes (just in case)."

Also, wrap the can and awl where you're going to punch the hole with a good sized rag. THINK about how paint may try to spray out around the tip of the awl in the hole and plan accordingly.

 

[TarheelRick]

I also have been considering ways to salvage older cans of paint and/or those fairly new ones that have stopped spraying.  Let me throw out another addition to the suggestions already out here.  My thoughts have been to place the paint can in an empty plastic coffee can and surrounding it with playground sand to support the can and help prevent any spills.  I was going to slowly drill through the top of the can, but I can see where the awl punching would be much better.  Thanks for the tips and the confirmation of my ideas.