A Handy Hint

[caryc]

Ever been using something like WD-40 and have the can run out of propellant when the can still feels like almost a quarter full? Here's how to fix it.

Get yourself a small valve stem like you see in picture one. I used an air nozzle that grips the valve stem. It just makes it easier. Place the valve stem down tightly over the nozzle on the spray can and shoot the air to it.

I don't remember where I saw this, maybe on YouTube, but it actually works.

 

[Jeepnik]

Hmm, I wonder what happens if you over pressure the can. I think it's going to leave a mark.

 

[JPGLSG]

Hmm, I wonder what happens if you over pressure the can. I think it's going to leave a mark.

Yea you could have 3/4 of a can of WD40 all over the place........

Remember Cary, 99.9% of accidents that happens to the over 70 Men are caused by.....I wonder what would happen if I tried this, I saw it on the youtube.........Don't do that.....

 

[caryc]

Hmm, I wonder what happens if you over pressure the can. I think it's going to leave a mark.

I put in 15 pounds and it sprayed fine. You would probably be alright with far less. I'll try maybe 5 pounds next time if it runs out again.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Use Care; ALL kinds of things can happen when you pressurize a can; You MIGHT damage the valve and be UNABLE to stop it from spraying, OR as pointed out Not knowing what pressure they used at the factory, you could possibly OVER pressurize the can and have it split or pop the whole valve assembly out (sounds like the Crimp holding the valve in might NOT have been tight enough)

Experience: QC manager at Rust-Oleum plant in Hagerstown, MD where we filled aerosol paints

 

[caryc]

Use Care; ALL kinds of things can happen when you pressurize a can; You MIGHT damage the valve and be UNABLE to stop it from spraying, OR as pointed out Not knowing what pressure they used at the factory, you could possibly OVER pressurize the can and have it split or pop the whole valve assembly out (sounds like the Crimp holding the valve in might NOT have been tight enough)

Experience: QC manager at Rust-Oleum plant in Hagerstown, MD where we filled aerosol paints

Actually, the spec sheet on WD40 says it's under 95-115 PSI. I don't think you'll run into problem shooting 20 pounds or less into it.

So what if you damage the valve and it won't stop spraying? Then you just throw it away like you would have in the first place.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The propelent in those cans used to be propane and that would run close to 90 PSI on a warm day.

We had a thread about a year or two ago about home filling of those small cook stove propane tanks by pressing the pressure relief valve down to relieve pressure and then filling with liquid propane. Talk about tricky.

 

[eveled]

My father had an aerosol can explode on him. The bottom blew off, Hit him on his thigh and left a nasty bruise. A couple of years later he said he could still feel it.

Made me more careful around spray cans.

Still a good idea if used wisely. Thanks Carry.

In the past I've drilled a hole in the top and dripped the oil out.

 

[Fox Mike]

Instead of reloading it try placing it in a pan of very hot water for a little while; that works too.

 

[Colonialgirl]

The propelent in those cans used to be propane and that would run close to 90 PSI on a warm day.

We had a thread about a year or two ago about home filling of those small cook stove propane tanks by pressing the pressure relief valve down to relieve pressure and then filling with liquid propane. Talk about tricky.

You should have seen one of them come out of the "gas" room where the valve failed and it was spewing the "propane" (actually a combination of a couple of gases) and then it ignites. Quick action by the filling crew was to grab it and toss it into an open top drum; OR the one time when gas from a leaker got into a sump in the floor and THEN ignited.

 

[Montelores]

Instead of reloading it try placing it in a pan of very hot water for a little while; that works too.

I'm sorry, but this is a very bad idea.

http://firewize.com/blog/2010/02/safety-warning-stored-pressure-aerosol-cans-can-explode

http://www.chemaxx.com/aerosol12a.htm

Please listen to CG on this one.

Monty

 

[protoolman]

I take paint cans out when empty and depressurize them by sticking them with a knife and cutting them open to get the agitator out. It's usually a kids glass marble. Sometimes it's a ball bearing. My kids liked the marbles.

 

[Enigma]

I depressurize expended aerosol cans by ventilating them with bullets. They spin through the air with wild abandon.

 

[blume357]

One of the top 5 stupidest things I've done in my life (there's more) was when I lit a small fire set a 1lb propane tank beside it and backed up about 25ft and shot the tank.

 

[Fox Mike]

Instead of reloading it try placing it in a pan of very hot water for a little while; that works too.

I'm sorry, but this is a very bad idea.

http://firewize.com/blog/2010/02/safety-warning-stored-pressure-aerosol-cans-can-explode

http://www.chemaxx.com/aerosol12a.htm

Please listen to CG on this one.

Monty

ALL cans with gas in them can explode. What I am suggesting is just to heat the can enough to expand the gas still in there a little bit. I am not suggesting that you put it in boiling water for an hour. Note I said "very hot" and "little while". Been doing it for years and it does work.

 

[coach]

One of the top 5 stupidest things I've done in my life (there's more) was when I lit a small fire set a 1lb propane tank beside it and backed up about 25ft and shot the tank.

We used to do similar with spray paint cans, small fires and a bb gun. Sometimes we just waited for the inevitable explosion. Lots of fun. I guess today someone would call the police.
I recently threw out a few cans without any more propellant. I might have tried but my anti-self maiming resolution may have stopped me. Maybe.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I like it. A little compressed air with an air pump say 35 PSI and you are back in business. I had an air freshener can go down the other day and I punched a hole in the can and drained the liquid into a jar with a paper towel in it and I use it to freshen the garage, not that it needs it but the jar thing is just a little too crude for the house. Maybe I have some Scotch blood in me?

 

[ronto]

Does WD-40 cost so much that you have to attempt this in order to save a buck or so?

 

[dougader]

One of the top 5 stupidest things I've done in my life (there's more) was when I lit a small fire set a 1lb propane tank beside it and backed up about 25ft and shot the tank.

Bro-in-law and I did this, too, but at 50 yards. FWIW, afterward we thought 50 yards wasn't far enough away.

There have been ads on websites and facebook showing a refilling setup for the 1 lb disposable propane bottles... and people saying they cool them down to cram even more into them.... <==== now this is DANGEROUS. Overfilling propane tanks/bottles can cause explosions when the temp goes up. If it happens near an ignition source you may not survive the burns. I was assisting on such an explosion case/trial prep that eventually settled for right around $1 Million USD and the damage to human flesh is something you never want to see or experience.

Cary's tip has merit. I'd start at 5 psi... or use for target practice as others have posted.

 

[Jeepnik]

Hmm. Original propellant is propane. You are pressuring it back up with air. Now let's see if I can remember that stuff I learned as a fireman about air and fuel in a pressurized vessel. Oh yea, could go boom if the can ruptures.