The biggest perk of using spray paint for a project is that it is cheap, quick, and easy. But everyone has struggled with a clogged-up spray paint can nozzle at some point which turns things into difficult and time-consuming in a hurry!
The best ways to unclog a spray paint can nozzle are poking it with a needle, soaking the nozzle in paint thinner, alcohol, vinegar, or warm water, using a hair dryer, spraying the can upside down, replacing the nozzle completely, or using an air compressor to clear the clog. Be patient when unclogging a spray paint can to avoid damage.
Read on to learn more about how spray paint can nozzles work, how they get clogged, and the best ways to clear the blockage from the can.
How to unclog a spray paint can that won’t spray
Before you start trying to fix your clogged spray paint, you need to figure out exactly where the clog is – the nozzle or the internal straw.
Nozzle clogs are, by far, easier to fix. They are also the more common clog between the two.
What we will do in this article is walk you through diagnosing and fixing your clogged spray paint step-by-step starting with the easiest, most likely fixes and working our way up to the less likely, more difficult fixes.
Let’s get started!
Step 1 – Check the can for pressure
Before we move too far down this list, we want to check the can for pressure.
To check a spray paint can for pressure, just press on the sides firmly with your fingers. If the can feels hard and barely moves when you press it, it has pressure. It has lost pressure if you can easily press and dent the can. A spray paint can that has lost pressure is useless, and there is nothing you can do about it.
If this is you, feel free to skip the rest of the article, head to the hardware store, and pick up a new can of spray paint.
If your can has pressure, read on!
Step 2 – Remove the nozzle from the spray paint can
We just mentioned that we need to figure out where the clog is – the nozzle or the straw – and the best way to figure that out is to remove the nozzle.
For the vast majority of spray paint products out there, you can grab the nozzle with your fingers and firmly pull up to separate it from the can.
At this point, you’ll be able to tell whether you have a ‘male nozzle’ or a ‘female nozzle.’ Essentially, a female nozzle slips down over a little plastic tube sticking out from the top of the spray paint can. A male nozzle will have a bit of plastic tubing coming from the bottom of it, which will slide into the spray paint can.
Keep this information in mind for the next step.
Step 2 – Check the can for pressure
Step 3 – Check the internal straw for a clog
Before I start messing with the paint can nozzles, I like to go ahead and check to see if the straw inside the spray paint can is clogged.
This is a simple test, but it can get a bit messy so you’ll need to prepare a bit. Grab a wad of paper towels, an old shop towel, or anything else that you don’t mind getting paint on.
Male nozzle
If you have a spray paint can with a male nozzle, you’ll need to grab a pencil, small screwdriver, or anything else that will fit into the little hole on the top of the spray paint can. While blocking the opening with your towel, gently press into the hole. If paint comes out, there is no internal clog and you can move on to step 5. If no paint comes out, move on to step 4.
Female nozzle
If you have a spray paint can with a female nozzle, things are a bit easier. Just stand the can upright and press down on the bit of plastic straw sticking up from the can with your towel. If paint comes out, there is no internal clog and you can move on to step 5. If no paint comes out, move on to step 4.
Step 4 – Clearing a clog in the spray paint straw
If your spray paint can’s internal straw is clogged, it can be a bit difficult to unclog it.
Unlike the nozzle, which can be taken off and cleaned easily, the only real way to clear a clog inside the straw is to blow it out with compressed air. What’s more, you’ll need an actual air compressor for this job because spray paint cans are filled to about 100 psi from the factory, so you’ll need even higher pressure than that to force the air into the can.
If you don’t have access to an air compressor, you might have to get a new paint can.
If you have access to an air compressor, you’ll need to find a tip or attachment that will fit into or onto the spray paint can and make a decent seal. If you have something lying around, perfect. If not, you might need to pick up a new attachment at the store (hopefully its cheaper than a new can of spray paint!).
Adjust your air compressor to 120 psi (the maximum for most air compressors), press it into the can, and spray for a few seconds until you feel or hear air making its way into the can. Don’t worry, spray paint cans are rated for at least 200 psi and some are rated for much higher.
Place the nozzle back on the spray paint can and test the paint. If it sprays, you’re good! If it doesn’t spray, repeat the process a couple of times until you are able to clear the clog.
Step 5 – Unclog the spray paint nozzle (4 Easy Options)
If your spray paint can has pressure and sprays out paint when you depress the internal straw, then your spray paint has a clogged nozzle.
In this section, I’ll just list some options for you to try starting with the easiest/fastest and working my way down to the harder/more annoying ones.
Here are 6 options to try:
- Replace the nozzle with one that works
- Use a knife to scrape away dried paint
- Use a needle to poke inside the nozzle
- Soak the nozzle in paint thinner, alcohol, or hot, soapy water
Replace the nozzle with one that works
My first suggestion is deceptively obvious.
If your spray paint nozzle is clogged, just take it off and replace it with one from a can that is working. Yes, you can do that! Just be sure that you are fitting the correct type of nozzle to your can – male or female.
A quick tip here is that anytime you are about to throw away a spray paint can, just pull the nozzle off and throw it in a cup somewhere in the garage. Then one day when you need a replacement nozzle, you’ll have a few to choose from!
Use a knife to scrape away dried paint
If you don’t have a spare nozzle, the next thing to try is scraping off the dried paint from the nozzle to clear it.
As you use spray paint, the paint can start to accumulate around the nozzle’s opening. If you use the paint and let it dry a few times, this accumulation can easily cover the opening and block the paint from coming out.
Just grab the knife and gently scrape the paint away. Be careful not to scrape up the actual plastic though!
Once you’ve cleaned it up, give the can another try. If it sprays, great – stop reading!
If it doesn’t spray, move on to the next step.
Use a needle to poke inside the nozzle
Even with the paint scraped away, you might still have a clog inside the little opening.
Grab a pin, needle, thumbtack, or anything else tiny and pokey enough to stick into the opening and then go to work. Be sure to wiggle the pin around a bit to loosen up the dried paint and go far enough back into the opening to sure that you have clear all the blocks.
Once you’ve cleaned it up, give the can another try. If it sprays, great – stop reading!
If it doesn’t spray, move on to the next step.
Soak the nozzle in paint thinner, alcohol, or hot, soapy water
If you haven’t managed to clear the clogged nozzle yet, then your only real option is to soak the nozzle for a while in something that can help break down the paint itself.
Your best best is to pour a bit of paint thinner in a small container and just let the nozzle soak for a while. If you don’t have paint thinner, you can also try alcohol, vinegar, or plain old hot, soapy water. Let the nozzle soak, poke it with the pin again, soak it for a few more minutes, and then try to spray some paint!
Hopefully, one of these solutions fixed your problem and you’ve already stopped reading.
No really, you aren’t still reading – are you?
