[Wes Leitch]

I went to spray polyeurethane on a finished piece and the can was clogged up. I then switched to a can of deft and gave it two coats. I went to spray the back to finish it off and the Deft can was clogged as well. I've tried freeing the cans up with soap and hot water and I've tried paint thinner. Besides shoving a pin/needle up the nozzle as a last resort, does anyone have any tricks or suggestions to free up clogged spray cans?

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Here's what I do.....When you're finished painting always turn the can upside down and spray till you're just blowing air. That will keep the knozzle clean. Another hint...when the can is empty and as long as the knozzle is not clogged, toss the can but keep the knozzle in a jar of either mineral spirits or laquer thinner depending on the paint. That way you have a spare knozzle in case one clogs on you.

Special note.....Be careful mixing Polyurethane and Deft. Deft is a laquer-based product and will eat up Poly if you're not careful.

[Kenny_S]

That is what I do Lynn. The little bride ask me what I was going to do with all those extra nozzles.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't have that problem? have with other paints....but when I do, I pull the nozzle and drop it in a little acetone...or thinner.....Lynn is right about turning the can upside down, but I hate to do that...you lose a lot of propellant doing that very often. imo

[Curly Early]

Me being a hardware salesman, one of the items I sell is the rattle can paint. Recently the paint company told us to relate to the customer, never shake the can up and down, as from top to bottom and reverse, when you start down, the solids in the bottom of the can will clog the pickup tube and the paint won't spray. They suggest more of a circular motion or what we'd call a wobble shake, making the bottom of the can go back and forth. Next they suggest you do this one full minute before spraying. Me - - I'm low on patience too, but this will help you have less problems. They have also given you correct suggestion of clearing the pickup tube and nozzle by inverting the can and spraying till clear. The can should have plenty of propellant to do this and paint out all the solid.
Thanks, Earl