Is there any way to fix old rattle cans?

[Pete J.]

I punch holes in rattle cans all the time. In fact I do it so often I built a tool for it. Definitely safer and much more controlled. No, I won't build one for anyone else. Not willing to assume the liability for someone doing something stupid, like trying it on a can of bug spray.

[clovis]

Mike-I knew that I'd seen or heard of paint stores that offered to shake rattle cans. I was beginning to believe that I had dreamed that up. Thank you for your reply!!!

Pete- That contraption is brilliant!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[Skydime]

Don't quote me (or do anything stupid based upon my analysis) but, it looks like Pete's contraption is similar a lobbed off piston rod end with a screw thread tapped into it. Pretty neat!

[Pete J.]

Don't quote me (or do anything stupid based upon my analysis) but, it looks like Pete's contraption is similar a lobbed off piston rod end with a screw thread tapped into it. Pretty neat!

Well, I've seen my fair share of connecting rod ends, so it not to surprising that I would borrow some of the content. It is really a very common shape. I've seen a lot of bearings and other parts of machinery that are similar. I would bet there were probably 50 similar looking parts on a John Deere combine. In fact a lot of them had the treaded hole for a grease zerk. Main difference here is that I cut what looks like a keyway to let the pressure of the can escape.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Pete J.

[Mike Kucaba]

All of this begs the question: Why doesn't Tamiya(and others) put there sprays in bottles... All colors and all types.

[Pete J.]

All of this begs the question: Why doesn't Tamiya(and others) put there sprays in bottles... All colors and all types.

Probably because they need to be airbrushed. Lacquers don't really brush well. They flash to fast. I suspect that the airbrush paint market for lacquers is rather small.

[Mike Kucaba]

...and all the major paint packagers (Testor's,Tamiya etc.) sell airbrushes. Go figure.

[Pete J.]

...and all the major paint packagers (Testor's,Tamiya etc.) sell airbrushes. Go figure.

Well, airbrushes work with acrylics and they are more "human" friendly. Lacquers and VOC solvent based enamels are really tough on the respiratory system not to mention highly flammable. I suspect the VOC solvent based paints in airbrushes are really very limited. Look at a paint rack and you will see a ton of non-solvent based paints. Edited August 15, 2013 by Pete J.