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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Wirelizard on 19 July 2011, 04:49:28 AM

Title: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: Wirelizard on 19 July 2011, 04:49:28 AM
Anyone got a trick to cleaning spraypaint nozzles?

I have two cans of primer and one can of matte dullcoat... with one working nozzle between them, up until tonight. This evening the last clear nozzle decided to hopelessly clog itself! (the other two long ago unsalvagably clogged and were tossed, but I was doing OK with the last until now...)

I've gotten into the habit of swirling the nozzle quickly in thinners after using it, and storing it off the cans. This evening I've soaked it again in paint thinner, poked at it carefully with a needle, soaked it again... all in vain, as the damn thing has entirely clogged.

The three cans range from mostly-full down to one-third-full (going by weight, at least) so it's not that I'm out of primer. It's that I can't spray the damn stuff out of the cans.

Any tricks I've missed? Are replacement sprayheads available?
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: zizi666 on 19 July 2011, 06:01:06 AM
I know graffiti artists buy their cans & nozzles speratly so they can choose the right nozzle for the right job.
A quick google provided a link to this :

http://artprimo.com/catalog/spray-paint-caps-c-27.html (http://artprimo.com/catalog/spray-paint-caps-c-27.html)
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: Dan on 19 July 2011, 07:02:14 AM
I keep all my old nozzles and leave them to soak in some DIY brush and roll cleaner fluid. I then can swap them when the ones that are in use are getting clogged.
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: Heldrak on 19 July 2011, 08:13:19 AM
You do know to turn the can upside down and depress the nozzle until the spray blows clear to clean it after each use, right...?
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: Wirelizard on 19 July 2011, 08:28:06 AM
You do know to turn the can upside down and depress the nozzle until the spray blows clear to clean it after each use, right...?

Absolutely. I do that religiously, clean the nozzles with thinners after that, and the damn things still clog on me. Tomorrow after work I'll hit a couple of the larger hardware stores near home and see if anyone stocks replacement spray nozzles. I already know Home Despot doesn't, but they're generally useless unless you know exactly what you're going for and already know they stock it...
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: zizi666 on 19 July 2011, 10:07:20 AM
Tomorrow after work I'll hit a couple of the larger hardware stores near home and see if anyone stocks replacement spray nozzles. I already know Home Despot doesn't, but they're generally useless unless you know exactly what you're going for and already know they stock it...

You should try to talk to some graffiti artists in your area if you can.
Here in Gent we have a small alley where they are allowed to spray.
I can imagine that in lots of cities they keep a low profile since their activities are illegal  :(
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: Heldrak on 19 July 2011, 11:55:04 AM
I have successfully returned clogged cans of primer to hardware stores if they cease functioning immediately upon their first use. If you still have your receipt(s), you may be able to effect an exchange for a new can.
Title: Re: Unclogging spraycan nozzles?
Post by: FramFramson on 20 July 2011, 04:41:01 AM
Home Despot


Oh wow, I thought I was the only who called it that.  lol