Aerosal Spray Paint Question

[Dave B.]

This is a more general aerosal spray paint question not just related to Corvettes. I have always had a consistent problem with rattle cans having the standard button tip giving me splatter on the finished surface. It doesn't matter if I keep the tip clean or not. Warming the can before spraying does not help. I never have the problem with cans that have the "fan spray" type spray tip - the type that is now typically available on Duplicolor and Krylon. I recently needed some interior dye paint and the can I received had the old button style tip. Guess what - splatter as soon as I started using it. No vendors seem to have this dye paint in a fan spray type tip. Has anyone experienced similar problems and found a solution to this splatter problem.

[Paul J.]

Re: Aerosal Spray Paint Question

Dave,

You normally get splatter from a rattle can when the pressure is too low for the nozzle to atomize the paint. This can be caused by a partially clogged tip, low propellent, overly thick paint, or operator error. When I run into this the first thing I do is run a needle through the oriface in the atomizer tip. If that does'nt work I go get another tip from a can that I know that works. If that fails I chuck the can.

I have a lot of old cans that this occaisionally happens with, but I almost never see it with a new can.

Paul

P.S. If this is happening with one specific manufacturer they might have propellent issues. I would return the can and if it continues I would stop using thier paint.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aerosal Spray Paint Question

This is a more general aerosal spray paint question not just related to Corvettes. I have always had a consistent problem with rattle cans having the standard button tip giving me splatter on the finished surface. It doesn't matter if I keep the tip clean or not. Warming the can before spraying does not help. I never have the problem with cans that have the "fan spray" type spray tip - the type that is now typically available on Duplicolor and Krylon. I recently needed some interior dye paint and the can I received had the old button style tip. Guess what - splatter as soon as I started using it. No vendors seem to have this dye paint in a fan spray type tip. Has anyone experienced similar problems and found a solution to this splatter problem.

Dave------


This problem has gotten significantly worse since manufacturers changed propellants and/or paint formulations to comply with EPA regulations.

The regulators will tell you this represents "short term inconvenience with long-term benefits". What they don't tell you is that the "long-term" benefits are minuscule or, even, immeasurable.

[Dave B.]

Re: Aerosal Spray Paint Question

Joe,

That's a very logical reason and something that was in the back of my mind. It's also supported by my having this problem consistently but only over the last few years. I don't recall being plagued by it previously and believe me I have been spraying paint from rattle cans for many, many years. I just wish the different spray nozzles which don't seem to have the problem would become more common place. If Duplicolor and Krylon use them, why don't more manufactures follow? Maybe it just takes time for the market place to adjust and compensate for these government rulings that seem so easy for our congress to pass without concern for the consumer consequences. I just wish I could get my interior dye paint down without splatter NOW and not some time in the future when better nozzles are used across the board.

[Frank P.]

Re: Aerosol Spray Paint Question

Dave:

The spray valve you mention is called a Danvern valve, or advertised as the EZ Touch Fanspray nozzle by Krylon. They own the patented valve which will spray in a horizontal or vertical pattern and requires 50% less finger pressure. Krylon also owns Dupli-Color as well as VHT. With changes demanded by EPA paints have had to make major changes to meet the new regulations.

[Dave B.]

Re: Aerosal Spray Paint Question

Frank,

Thanks for the info - very interesting. So it looks like unless other manufacturers pay royalties to Krylon (assuming Krylon would license the spray tip design) they have the market cornered when it comes to superior rattle can spray quality.

Dave Brown

[John D.]

Re: Aerosol Spray Paint Question

In keeping with the subject on spray cans let me tell you about the Gillette shaving creme can.
I have a habit of buying stuff in bulk then throwing a lot away because of the shelve life on an item.
Gillette Shaving Creme. I bought it by the case. Finally used up the last can and went out and bought a couple of new ones. The new cans aren't worth a crap. Nothing wrong with the creme though. But as Joe Lucia said the EPA once again has put a wrench into a good product because worried about the atmosphere. New cans have weak propellant.
Do NOT buy spray cans in bulk. They have a rather short shelf life. Genius here bought several case of Krylawn and lost bucks as the cans died. No matter how much I would shake the can when I attempted to use them the nozzle would immediately clog up.
Wonder how my son is going to get thru life. He's only 21. I am almost a 100. Seems like everything we use is going downhill. Where will it end.