Handy Tool: Spray Can Mixer

[CaveCreekRay]

I always buy an extra can of spray paint to save from making trips back to the store. Some colors I use a lot of, I keep in back stock. It adds up. After calling Rustoleum a few months back and finding out that paint older than a year old is considered "out of date" should it not work, I thought I'd try keeping the cans mixed at least once a year. That is a pain by hand, so I picked up one of these off Amazon: a MixKwik

It fits on your standard reciprocating saw. The can restraint harness looks like it was off a snow board and is very well made. On low speed for 10 seconds and then medium speed for 5 seconds, you can tell the contents are well mixed. I mixed a bunch of warm cans one morning and they felt quite "foamy" inside. Mechanical mixing should prevent the paint from solidifying at the bottom of the can, plugging up the supply tube or spray head.

I figure if I save four cans a year, I will pay for the $24 tool every year I use it.

 

[AndyM]

Great idea! Having just gooped on some paint this is a good get.

 

[SidecarFlip]

The little plastic nozzles on the cans usually die for me before I use up the contents. I bought myself one of those spray can pistol grip triggers. Works well and you don't get a colored finger either

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Problem with the new cans is they won't clean when you invert them, like the old ones did. They will spray inverted.

I have found it is essential that you wipe the nozzle as clean as possible before it dries. When I called Rustoleum, the nice lady sent me some new nozzles to have on hand if I clog one up. Getting the newer styled nozzles on is not as easy as they fit over the stem on the can, unlike the old nozzles that had the stem on the nozzle cap base. This makes a mess as when you press the new nozzle on, you launch paint out of the stem.

If you get a good spray out of a new can and then put the can away for awhile, agitate the can extra before starting another paint operation on another day. The cans seem to really clog up easily on the second use if not well shaken. This tool should really help prevent that.

 

[Workerbee]

Ive cleaned plugged nozzles with mek and laquer thinner, whichever I happen to have around, and they work good again, at least until they plug again.

 

[Daren Todd]

I always buy an extra can of spray paint to save from making trips back to the store. Some colors I use a lot of, I keep in back stock. It adds up. After calling Rustoleum a few months back and finding out that paint older than a year old is considered "out of date" should it not work, I thought I'd try keeping the cans mixed at least once a year. That is a pain by hand, so I picked up one of these off Amazon: a MixKwik

View attachment 46929

It fits on your standard reciprocating saw. The can restraint harness looks like it was off a snow board and is very well made. On low speed for 10 seconds and then medium speed for 5 seconds, you can tell the contents are well mixed. I mixed a bunch of warm cans one morning and they felt quite "foamy" inside. Mechanical mixing should prevent the paint from solidifying at the bottom of the can, plugging up the supply tube or spray head.

View attachment 46928

I figure if I save four cans a year, I will pay for the $24 tool every year I use it.

That's genius!!!!

 

[200mph]

I usually pop the nozzle off and use brake clean to clear the paint from the nozzle. Insert the plastic straw inside of nozzle (paint can side). Just be careful not to get any in your eyes.