goofy question, only slightly Model A related.....

Chris in WNC

Chris in WNC

Well-known member
I have a tall aerosol can of WD-40 that is almost full but refuses to spray.
Tried a different nozzle from a working can, no dice with it either, so the malfunction is in the can itself.

Now comes the totally stupid part:
Being a thrifty guy, I hate to chuck a full can of WD-40.

Is it possible to open this can and remove the contents WITHOUT great bodily harm or loosing most of the contents in the process?

:rolleyes: I guess I really do have too much time on my hands, but I eagerly await your input on this........
 
A.. return it to lowes or home depot for another. no receipt needed

B.. or call the comp direct
 
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I have a blow gun with a rubber tip and I put it up to the spay nozzle and push the spray nozzle down at the same time I blow air in the can. I never use more than about 60 pounds pressure for this and it has worked for me. I've had the same problem with spray cans of WD-40. I also have a small bottle with a brush that I fill with WD-40. I used a scatch awl to poke a hole on the side of the can near the top. You can also fill a plastic spray bottle, such as an empty Windex bottle.
 
28ACoupe said:
Throw it away and go get some PB Blast, Liquid Wrench, or other such.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't throw it away.
It isn't the best to use as a penetrating oil or as a lubricant, but WD-40 does work good to prevent rust and corrosion, it removes sticky goo, such as left behind by price stickers, and it makes a good hand cleaner if you don't have Goop handy.

WD-40 also works great as a lubricant when tapping threads into aluminum.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
I wouldn't throw it away.
It isn't the best to use as a penetrating oil or as a lubricant, but WD-40 does work good to prevent rust and corrosion, it removes sticky goo, such as left behind by price stickers, and it makes a good hand cleaner if you don't have Goop handy.

WD-40 also works great as a lubricant when tapping threads into aluminum.
Click to expand...

and many other uses such as displaces moisture from wet ignition systems
 
I have used another can that is empty but still has pressure and connected them with the little spray tube to transfer some of the pressure
 
If you try any fixes to the can, wear some sort of safety protection for your eyes and lungs just in case.
 
Freeze the can in your home freezer. The internal pressure will drop. If you can dent the can with your thumb, you can punch a hole in it. I have done several. I like to apply WD40 with an Acid Brush sometimes. I keep some in a small canning jar.
 
This isn't a "goofy" question! I have two cans with the same problem. I took the nozzle off and place the little white tip on whatever it is I want to loosen and push. In some ways this is better, you don't get so much at once. It's more controllable.
Terry
 
Thanks everyone for the great responses.

I was going to take Mitch's advice and return it to Lowe's, but when I went down to the basement garage and got the can the miserable thing actually WORKED!

This is after consistently refusing to work over a period of several weeks. Go figure.

At least I know what to do next time.
I particularly like the freezer solution, and don't worry I will definitely have safety glasses, long sleeves and gloves on before trying to do anything invasive........
 
I discovered the "Freezer method" after leaving a can in an unheated Tractor Shed. It was winter and had been around zero for a week. I needed to start the tractor and when it was real cold the throttle shaft would get stiff and i was afraid of breaking it, so I would give it a shot of the 40 first. One day I left the can in the shed, and when i picked it up to use it next time it actually had a vacuum in it and sucked air in when i pushed the button! I brought the can in the house and next day it was back to pressure. I then put it in the Freezer and the pressure dropped again. So the propellent is very sensitive to temperature, and it contracts when cold. I have done this with Silicone Spray as well and keep some of that in a canning jar for brush application. I like the stuff but don't want it sprayed on other parts.
 
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