Two things that you Must Do when using Aerosol Spray Paints
Have you ever had this happen? Your mailbox is starting to look
dull and weathered. It could use a fresh coat of paint. So you
decide to paint it the same color as your window shutters. You
purchase a can of custom matched aerosol spray paint and you
paint the mailbox. It looks great, a perfect match with the
window shutters. After using the aerosol spray paint, you
replace the cap on the can and put it in your storage room.
A couple of months later, you want to paint an outdoor flower
pot the same color as the mailbox. You get the can of aerosol
spray paint that you used on the mailbox and you press the spray
nozzle and nothing comes out. Even after digging at the opening
of the spray nozzle with a paperclip, the can will still not
spray. So you end up throwing away a half of can of spray paint
and you still need your flower pot painted.
Or maybe it did spray, but now the color does not match the
mailbox and shutters. It had changed colors or something. It
might have even looked like the right color at first, but
changed color as you used it. Again, you end up discarding the
half-filled can of paint. What a waste of your time and money.
What caused these problems? Is there something you were doing
wrong?
At one time or another, everyone one has used an aerosol can of
some type. It is simple and anyone can use them. You just point
the can, press the spray nozzle and that's it. Even though it
seems very simple, there are important instructions and safety
precautions that need to be followed. These are printed on the
labels of each aerosol spray paint can. They include
instructions about shaking the can, when and where to use the
product. Even how to properly clear the spray nozzle after each
use. That will ensure that the next time you need to use the
can, it will be ready. Certain steps should always be taken,
every time you use an aerosol spray paint.
The first and the last things that you do, when using an
aerosol spray paint are the most important. The first step is
always to shake the can vigorously, and listen for the shaker
ball to rattle. Then continue to shake the can for at least one
to three minutes. This helps to assure that the paint is
thoroughly mixed with the solvents and propellant that are also
enclosed in the can.
When the color of the paint varies from the expected color, the
most common solution to this problem is to vigorously shake the
can. Since the propellant used in aerosols is a liquid gas, the
propellant mixes with and actually becomes part of the paint.
The pressure of the propellant as it escapes through the opening
of the spray nozzle, allows the paint mixture to propel out of
the aerosol can. Thus another important reason for shaking the
can. During use, the can should be occasionally shaken to insure
that the paint stays thoroughly mixed at all times. The pigments
of the paint can settle to the bottom of the can, while spraying
for a long period of time.
To insure that the aerosol spray paint works every time it is
used and the contents of the container are completely emptied
out. The last thing you must do, is to clear the spray nozzle.
When you are finished using the aerosol spray paint, you must
turn the can upside down and press the spray nozzle. This
removes the paint that was left in the spray nozzle and the dip
tube. Immediately after the paint has been cleared from the
spray nozzle and dip tube, the color of the spray will become
clear. At that point, the spray nozzle has been adequately
cleared of paint. You can now replace the cap and store as
recommended on the can label. The aerosol spray paint will be
ready for the next time you need it. When using aerosol spray
paint, these two very simple, but very important steps must be
taken to achieve maximum results. So if you follow these simple
and important instructions, when using aerosol spray paints, you
will help ensure that the color of the paint stays uniform with
the original color. You will be able to completely empty the
paint from the cans and get the maximum coverage that you
deserve. Using aerosol spray paints are economical, easy to use
and produce professional results.