FWIW- Rustoleum spray paint

[PeteVS]

Yes, I know, I shouldn't be using it but... Anyway, they used to use the little red spray nozzles and when I was finished using a color, I'd turn the can upside down, hold the nozzle for a couple of seconds until paint stopped coming out. Then, I'd wipe off the face of the nozzle and put the can away for the next use. THEN, they started using the "fat" white nozzles. When I was finished with a color, I'd invert the can, hold the nozzle and the paint kept coming out as long as I held it!! I figured that they had found a way for a can to spray in any position. Turns out that I was only getting three, maybe four uses out of a can before it was hopelessly clogged. Rats! So, today, I disected a can. Turns out that what they did was put in a monstrous tube from the bottom of the can up to the nozzle. It probably holds enough paint for a half minute of more of spraying with the can upside down. I take that to be a clever marketing ploy to sell more paint. So, now, I'm looking for other brands that will be easier to keep the nozzle cleaned out.

[mountstimothy0]

Plus. With my experience those nozzles are notorious for clogging

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Tapatalk

[Kube]

Originally Posted by mountstimothy0

Plus. With my experience those nozzles are notorious for clogging

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Tapatalk

Ya know, thanks for posting this. I thought it was just me having trouble.

[Karl Wolf]

I've started using WD40 when done. Remove tip from can and spray WD40 through the tip.
Leave it that way... Got to remember to spray- clear- this out before painting next...

Karl

[PeteVS]

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

I've started using WD40 when done. Remove tip from can and spray WD40 through the tip.
Leave it that way... Got to remember to spray- clear- this out before painting next...

Karl

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to try that next time I use a can.

[glennpm]

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I've had the same bad performance with the new white"fat" nozzles clogging up and wasting lots of paint that I can't get out of the can. Soaking in all kinds of solvents was fruitless. Might give the WD40 trick a try. I complained to Rustoleum last year to let them know and that I was seeking other products.

[Bob C]

Thanks for the info, I wondered why I couldn't get the paint to stop coming out when I turned the can upside down

Bob

[40cpe]

As far as I know all spray cans have the tube to the bottom. I haven't used the Rustoleum, but I put the nozzle in a cap of lacquer thinner for a few minutes and then blow through it with the blow gun on the air hose. Then it is clean and dry for the next time.

[4t8v8]

Same here. Found lacquer thinner works good. They need to look at Krylon's spray nozzles. Never have any trouble with them.

[willowbilly3]

Same experience here but I find it's more clogged paint in the tube itself than the nozzle. If you can find Martin Senior paint, it is far superior to Krylon or Rustoleum, the standard run stuff. It is high solids, has a very nice spray pattern and the nozzle is easy on the finger. NAPA used to sell it as their own label.
BTW, we used to cut every empty apart for the cool cobalt blue marble.

[STEVE O]

Thanks for the post. I never held it upside down long enough to clear it. I guess I will waste a lot of paint but its good to know I can aleast save what is left. Also I hated Krylon but in the last few years have improved their product. I had heard Rustoleum and Krylon had joined are were the same company?

[woodiewagon46]

Pete, I have the same issue withe Rust-0lium paint. It seems the only time I can use it is when the can is brand new, even when I hold the can upside down to clear the nozzle.

[TagMan]

I've been using Rustoleum spray cans for years and have always removed the nozzle after spraying, soaking it in thinner and blowing through it.

I also experienced the long amount of time to clear the nozzle with the can inverted and having the nozzle / line clog with the new nozzle. I found that if the temperature of the can is below 70°F, the nozzle will clog, so whether the ambient temperature is low or not, I now sit the can in a pan of hot water (the hottest faucet temp) for about 15-minutes before spraying, shake the can for at least a full minute and spray without clogging. I haven't experienced any clogging problems since I started that regimen.

-Bob

[GB SISSON]

I have at least 25 cans of rustoleum spray paint that are clogged. Some are nearly full. I have installed brand new tips on them and they are still clogged in the tube. Granted, some are ten years old. I really like their paint and continue to buy it and I'm really anxious to learn more tricks from others. Thanks for the tips so far and keep them coming. Why do I save the old ones? No idea. I guess I have lots of shelves...... Maybe I need to switch to the tips that come on brake parts cleaner. I can unload a 5 dollar can of that stuff in 30 seconds.....

[MGG]

Check your store's return policy. Several times when the Rustoleum can has clogged up on me I have returned the can to the store for a full refund. If we all could do this maybe they would get the message to go back to the old design.

[woodiewagon46]

Anybody know how to send this forum to Rust-Olium, they might get the hint.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

I've started using WD40 when done. Remove tip from can and spray WD40 through the tip.
Leave it that way... Got to remember to spray- clear- this out before painting next...

Karl

Lordy, WD40 and any sort of paint in the same neighborhood is a disastrous formula for FISHEYES in the paint. I can't believe there's any guaranteed way to get rid of the gazillions of microscopic molecules of the silicon found in the WD40 that causes the fisheyes. WD40 sprayed across the street can blow into a shop and absolutely destroy a paint job........been there! DD

[alanwoodieman]

my local ACE hardware owner told me that their brand rust paint was made by flood (rustoleum) and I never have trouble with their spray cans

[russcc]

I had the same problem with plugged nozzles. Called Rustoleum customer service, they sent at least 50 nozzles for zip, set for life now. I just throw them away and use a new one.

[325w]

Krylon and rustolem are the same company. That's why krylon is not as good as it used to be. Try to find Seymour brand. It's like using the old krylon. Seymour makes different labels for other companies.

[tubman]

I solved this problem by spraying the last 30 seconds with the can upside down. It takes a little practice, but you can pretty much know when it's going to run out if you do it enough. I have to agree with Mr. Coopman about the WD40 and "fisheye" thing. I was gonna comment on it but got distracted; thanks "V8Coopman" for pointing this out.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I too like Rust-Oleum but really, really prefer how Krylon sprays ....

[Ford Freak]

I've pretty much gone to all Krylon . I like the "fan spray " type nozzle , and its dry to touch in 10 min. !

[slowforty]

Look up youtube "refilling a spray can" this could be the solution. Might be a Big MESS.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by tubman

I solved this problem by spraying the last 30 seconds with the can upside down. It takes a little practice, but you can pretty much know when it's going to run out if you do it enough. I have to agree with Mr. Coopman about the WD40 and "fisheye" thing. I was gonna comment on it but got distracted; thanks "V8Coopman" for pointing this out.

Quite ingenious, spraying upside down. Corporate won't like this one!

[19Fordy]

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Last week I contacted Rustoleum about this "clogging problem" and received the following email. I am not holding my breath re: refund check.

Good Morning James,
Thank you for contacting Rust-Oleum Product Support.
We are sorry to hear of the problems that you are having with our aerosol cans. That is certainly not typical of our aerosols.
As superior performing products, our aerosol formulas have always contained higher solid material than others in the market. Higher solids means better and faster coverage, and ultimately, better performance. Over time, these solids will start to separate from the liquid and the cans need to be shaken to get the mix into a homogenous state again. The longer it sits, the longer it may need to be agitated. Upon shaking the can to get the mixing ball dislodged, we then recommend an additional full minute of shaking to incorporate all of the material. Once mixed and the application has begun, we recommend shaking often during the application. Those solids need to be kept suspended to avoid things like clogging and sputtering.
Depending on the type of nozzle that is on the can, there are a couple of ways of keeping the can spraying properly should it need to be stored and used at a later date. The nozzle itself should be wiped clean and if it has a traditional nozzle(not a spray-anyway nozzle), the can should be turned upside down upon completion of spraying to clear out any product that may still be in the dip tube. This practice will help keep the integrity of the spray performance. However, should the can become clogged, the tip can be rinsed in mineral spirits or paint thinner to loosen any dried material that may have accumulated there. If cleaning the tip does not alleviate the clog, it may be inside the can, which will not be able to be cleared.
Thank you for providing the product number and batch codes. As a goodwill gesture I have processed a refund in the form of a check which you can expect to receive shortly.
Regards,
Megan
We have registered your complaint in our database. Please refer to the File Number in the Subject line of this e-mail for any future reference to this complaint.

[PeteVS]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Last week I contacted Rustoleum about this "clogging problem" and received the following email. I am not holding my breath re: refund check.

Good Morning James,
Thank you for contacting Rust-Oleum Product Support.
We are sorry to hear of the problems that you are having with our aerosol cans. That is certainly not typical of our aerosols.
As superior performing products, our aerosol formulas have always contained higher solid material than others in the market. Higher solids means better and faster coverage, and ultimately, better performance. Over time, these solids will start to separate from the liquid and the cans need to be shaken to get the mix into a homogenous state again. The longer it sits, the longer it may need to be agitated. Upon shaking the can to get the mixing ball dislodged, we then recommend an additional full minute of shaking to incorporate all of the material. Once mixed and the application has begun, we recommend shaking often during the application. Those solids need to be kept suspended to avoid things like clogging and sputtering.
Depending on the type of nozzle that is on the can, there are a couple of ways of keeping the can spraying properly should it need to be stored and used at a later date. The nozzle itself should be wiped clean and if it has a traditional nozzle(not a spray-anyway nozzle), the can should be turned upside down upon completion of spraying to clear out any product that may still be in the dip tube. This practice will help keep the integrity of the spray performance. However, should the can become clogged, the tip can be rinsed in mineral spirits or paint thinner to loosen any dried material that may have accumulated there. If cleaning the tip does not alleviate the clog, it may be inside the can, which will not be able to be cleared.
Thank you for providing the product number and batch codes. As a goodwill gesture I have processed a refund in the form of a check which you can expect to receive shortly.
Regards,
Megan
We have registered your complaint in our database. Please refer to the File Number in the Subject line of this e-mail for any future reference to this complaint.

If you still have Megan's email, perhaps you could reply to her with a link to this thread. Help them realize that there are a lot of people out there who are upset.

[37 Cab]

I use the stuff Ace Hardware sells. Seems to be a good product for anything I need to use it for. (Cheaper too) If I need better stuff I use my HVLP gun.

[19Fordy]

PeteVS: Good point.

I did email Megan this thread to let her know it's a real problem - not isolated cases.

[TagMan]

Next time you get a clogging problem, try setting the can in 4" or 5" of faucet-hot water for 15-minutes. Then shake it up well for a minute and try spraying again. It's always worked for me.

[Dak Rat]

You used to be able to keep a can of rustoleum paint on the shelf for years and it would perform like new--not anymore. Its not just the spray nozzles either, I am convinced that what ever propellant they use now goes bad within a year of purchase. I have thrown away a lot of paint in the last few years. Frustrating!

[36coupe]

Originally Posted by TagMan

I've been using Rustoleum spray cans for years and have always removed the nozzle after spraying, soaking it in thinner and blowing through it.

I also experienced the long amount of time to clear the nozzle with the can inverted and having the nozzle / line clog with the new nozzle. I found that if the temperature of the can is below 70°F, the nozzle will clog, so whether the ambient temperature is low or not, I now sit the can in a pan of hot water (the hottest faucet temp) for about 15-minutes before spraying, shake the can for at least a full minute and spray without clogging. I haven't experienced any clogging problems since I started that regimen.

-Bob

I have a spray can cap full of nozzles that I soak in thinner. I save them from old cans in case a newer one clogs

[TagMan]

36coupe,
I also save nozzles and have a can full of them that were soaked in thinner and blown out with a air nozzle. I've also had clogged cans and used 2 or 3 nozzles that also clogged in a few minutes. I then warmed the can, inserted a clean nozzle and sprayed with no problem.

Just my 2¢ - I give up

[Ross F-1]

I use this stuff for chassis and engine parts. Fantastic durability and I've never had a problem with the spray clogging, even after sitting for a year. Noticeably different than "regular" Rust-oleum.