restoring spray can pressure

[Beap52 2,231]

I have several spray cans penetrating oil and about half of them no longer spray.  I have decided that two things happened.  1. They have lost pressure and 2.  The straw inside the can has became disconnected. 

 

Some time ago I posted how I restored paint spray cans and I used the same system for penetrating oil.

 

I use a tire valve stem that slips over the straw sticking out of the top of the can and while pressing down, use air chuck to inject air into the can.  You may actually hear the bubbles inside the can of oil.  Although I have never burst a can, I am cautious not to inject too much air. 

 

If  the straw inside had become disconnected, turn can up side down and  use it like the second picture shows. 

 

If you opt to use this on spray paint cans, you might want to wear plastic gloves.  The pink paint on my fingers wasn't too becoming to a fellow like me.

[ri702bill 12,074]

I got fed up with several WD-40 cans that ran out of propellant befor the fluid did. So I bought a 1 quart HFT refillable sprayer that has a Schreader valve you can use a compressor to add air - at any time. Use a funnel after puncturing the discharged can - good to go. Makes for a great spray down device to fog the lathe & milling machine....

[c-series don 11,894]

This beats throwing it on the ground and stepping on it!! I remember years ago a can of WD-40 went bad so my father in law threw it on the ground and stepped on it. He then picked it up and it sprayed like new! Right then and there I remember thinking I’ll never forget about this, and I haven’t! I’ve used this technique many times over the years and have done it in front of other people who thought the same thing I did when I first saw it! Of course it might not get every drop out, but in a pinch when you just need a little more it works. 

[953 nut 65,884]

8 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

WD-40 cans that ran out of propellant 

I have had several WD-40s give out while half full. I clamp them in a vise, drilled a 1/8" hole in them with the hole facing away from me just in case and once I know there is no pressure I drill another hole opposite the first and pour the fluid into a plastic trigger spray bottle.

[Beap52 2,231]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

I have had several WD-40s give out while half full. I clamp them in a vise, drilled a 1/8" hole in them with the hole facing away from me just in case and once I know there is no pressure I drill another hole opposite the first and pour the fluid into a plastic trigger spray bottle.

I've done the drill a hole in the top of can exercise.   Lots of work-arounds from folks in this site I'm sure.

[wallfish 19,939]

2 hours ago, c-series don said:

This beats throwing it on the ground and stepping on it!!

HAAAA, i do that too! LOL