Halfway through spray painting a metal patio chair, the inevitable occurs: the nozzle of the spray can clogs. These straightforward plastic nozzles are designed to clog easily, but they can be fixed without the use of any tools or harsh chemicals. The sudden failure of an aerosol can is a common occurrence for people who frequently use spray paint or other aerosol cans.
This can be a very aggravating experience, especially since you already paid for the can and there is still a lot of usable paint inside. However, you have a few options for getting paint out of a broken can, depending on the type of can you have and what went wrong. Fortunately, there are a few techniques to fix a broken aerosol can nozzle.
- The Easiest Clearing Process
When a nozzle first begins to clog, clearing it is easiest. To spray inside a box or toward a piece of cardboard or paper for five seconds, wipe excess paint or liquid from the nozzle’s exterior, hold the can upside down, and spray. Normally, the gummy substance that is clogging the pipe is cleared by the air leaving the aerosol can.
- The Soaking Technique
In some cases, soaking the nozzle in hot water will aid in clearing the obstruction from the tiny hole. Pull the spray can’s nozzle out carefully, then place it in a disposable cup with just enough tap water to cover it. Put a metal washer or other heavy, small object on top of the nozzle if it floats to keep it underwater.
Allow it to soak for minimum five minutes, then clean and dry the nozzle on the inside and outside. Put it back on top of the aerosol can, shake it as directed on the can’s instructions, and then mist some cardboard with it outside or somewhere with good ventilation. After about a minute of shaking, hold the aerosol can upside down and spray it once more if it still won’t spray.
The softened material clogging the nozzle should be released due to the pressure buildup. Remove the nozzle once more, and if it still doesn’t clear, insert a fine pin or needle into the spray hole. A wider hole could affect the nozzle’s performance and even cause it to fail, so take care not to do it.
- Cleaning and Clearing Method
Use a water-displacing lubricant spray to unclog a clogged nozzle rather than fumbling with a needle or pin to do so. Remove the spray can’s clogged nozzle, then take the nozzle device off the water-displacing lubricant’s top.
Spray the lubricant several times while holding the clogged nozzle atop the lubricant can. If that doesn’t work, swap out the original nozzle on the lubricant aerosol can and use the lubricant to lubricate both the inside and outside of the clogged nozzle.
Bottom Line
There is still hope if the clog cannot be cleared or if your clearing efforts rendered the nozzle almost useless. Clean the current nozzle or swap it out for one from a similar aerosol can. In many instances, the nozzles can be used interchangeably.