A solution to clogged Krylon spray paint cans

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

It used to be that after finishing using a can of spray paint, one could clear the nozzle by turning the can upside down and spraying a few second until nothing but air came out of the nozzle. A number of years ago the makers of most spray cans redesigned the cans to allow them to spray no matter what angle they were held at. This feature has dubious utilitly value and this means the nozzle can’t be cleared by turning it upside down. The result is lots of useless spray cans that still have plenty of paint left in them.

I have discovered a solution, at least for Krylon paint cans. I noticed that they use the same nozzle as the Scalecoat paint cans and are interchangeable. The Scalecoat cans, at least the older ones which is what I have, don’t spray paint when held up side down. After finishing using a can of Krylon, I simply remove the nozzle and put it on one of my Scalecoat cans, turn it upside down, spray a few seconds and I have a clean nozzle which I can then put back on the Krylon cans. I’ve done this about a half dozen times and it has yet to fail to clear the nozzle. For the Krylon cans which already have a clogged nozzle, I just borrow one of the Scalecoat nozzles and then return it to the original can to be cleared. I’ve been able to save several cans of paint that I otherwise would have had to throw out.

I’ve also discovered that Krylon’s line of chalky finish paints also don’t spray when held upside down so that is also an option for clearing a nozzle.

I’m looking for a similar solution to other brands of spray paint such as Valspar or Rustoleum but so far no luck.

2

At work we used Rustoleum “Hard Hat” paints and primers that sprayed at any angle, and would clog the nozzles after the first use.

We cleaned those nozzles by flooding them with CRC contact cleaner.

-Kevin

3

I’ll give that a try. I have some CRC on hand.

When you say you flood the nozzle, do you mean spraying the CRC into the nozzle from the bottom or soaking the nozzle in it?

4

The nozzles on the Rustoleum cans had the same size inlet as the diameter of the red tube that came with the can of CRC. We just put the nozzle on the CRC extension tube and sprayed for 5-10 seconds.

-Kevin

5

While I’ve used spray cans, I don’t especially care for them. Clogged nozzles were always a problem, and shelf-life wasn’t all that impressive, either.

I’ve found the best solution for me to be an airbrush…no clogging, no waste, pretty-well any colour I can mix, and less stuff for the landfill, too.

Wayne

6

Unfortunately, CRC 2-26 doesn’t seem to be available in Canada.[|(]

I searched the CRC Canada site and they showed the product, but when I clicked on the ‘Where To Buy’ icon it showed that ‘No Stores’ in Ontario carried the product.

Bummer!

Dave

7

I had no clue as to what CRC was, but if it’s an electronic cleaner, it’s available HERE, Dave.

Wayne

8

I got mine through Amazon. Have you tried them?

9

I’ve made several attempts to learn to use an airbrush and never could get the hang of it. This was before YouTube videos became widespread so there is probably some now that explain the how-tos of using an airbrush but at this point, I’ll live with the rattle cans.