Cannot get ball to rattle in spray paint can

[brockrwood]

Ok, this is frustrating. I have a brand new can of white, primer spray paint. I have warmed it up in hot tap water for 15 minutes.

I cannot get the ball to rattle to save my life.

Any suggestions?



Any spray paint can with pigment has to have a ball, right?

 

[brockrwood]

I give up. I have soaked this puppy in hot water three times now. I have shaken vigorously. I have banged on ground aggressively. The ball will not rattle.

 

[Sandy H.]

Sounds like you either return it or try it on scrap and then return it. . .maybe their ball didn't drop at the factory.

Sandy.

 

[brockrwood]

Sounds like you either return it or try it on scrap and then return it. . .maybe their ball didn't drop at the factory.

Sandy.

These are about $5.50 each at Home Depot. I would like a new can. That is the cost of a Big Mac.

(Or maybe not, after inflation.)

 

[3stoogesrocketry]

These are about $5.50 each at Home Depot. I would like a new can. That is the cost of a Big Mac.

(Or maybe not, after inflation.)

It's also the cost of a gallon of gas these days . How far away is your HD? Try leaving the can upsidedown for a while .

 

[Steve Shannon]

According to the product label this product does have a ball.
I have had to shake paint cans for several minutes before the ball starts rattling.
I would invert it while shaking the can.

 

[brockrwood]

Try leaving the can upsidedown for a while .

Doh! Thanks for the idea!!

 

[tsmith1315]

soaked this puppy in hot water three times now

On sunny days, I put the can in the sun for a while to warm it up. Free energy, less trouble and it doesn't take too long.

 

[brockrwood]

On sunny days, I put the can in the sun for a while to warm it up. Free energy, less trouble and it doesn't take too long.

Also good idea! Thanks!

 

[rharshberger]

Invest in a paint shaker either the type that fits in a drill or the type that fits in a reciprocating saw if you have one or both tools, they shake paint much better than any human can with less effort.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

They put all kinds of metal objects in those cans. It may just been missed if the something backed up and you could shake your head off and never hear a rattle. Best thing to do is shake it for a few minutes and try spraying on a test object. If it spits, it's bad. If it sprays and covers evenly, use it up.

 

[brockrwood]

Well, I am a Rust-Oleum customer for life now! They are sending me $5.00 so I can buy another can of primer!

 

[steve.c.chemist]

Ok, this is frustrating. I have a brand new can of white, primer spray paint. I have warmed it up in hot tap water for 15 minutes.

I cannot get the ball to rattle to save my life.

Any suggestions?

View attachment 525791

Any spray paint can with pigment has to have a ball, right?

Rust-oleum product support informed me that a couple of their products do NOT have shaker balls (marbles). There one I called about is 224284 a clear acrylic rust inhibitor for spraying told for example. They mentioned there are others.

While this doesn't apply to your situation, I thought I should mention it.

 

[ECayemberg]

I'll mention it since I didn't see it mentioned previously. I take the can and hit the bottom of the can on the sole of my shoe... in my experience this dislodges the ball better than other methods. Rarely do I get a can that won't rattle after a good whack on the shoe. Also, I do the same at the store...I won't leave a store with the product unless I get a good rattle out of the can. Store security hasn't stopped me yet!

 

[Banzai88]

Ok, this is frustrating. I have a brand new can of white, primer spray paint. I have warmed it up in hot tap water for 15 minutes.

I cannot get the ball to rattle to save my life.

Any suggestions?

View attachment 525791

Any spray paint can with pigment has to have a ball, right?

Did it rattle when you bought it? If you're not sure, sometimes the machine misses dropping a marble in the can.

 

[Hobie1dog]

I bet you'll check all the cans at the store from now on.

 

[brockrwood]

Did it rattle when you bought it? If you're not sure, sometimes the machine misses dropping a marble in the can.

I bought it a long time ago. Yes! Lesson learned!

 

[Huxter]

I bet you'll check all the cans at the store from now on.

I instinctually do this every time I have a rattle can in my hands!

+1 for a reciprocating saw shaker. Works really well - even on very old paint cans - really gets the old balls rattling!

 

[Cape Byron]

Works really well - even on very old paint cans - really gets the old balls rattling!

So do angle grinders...



It's early in the morning. My sense of humour is a little weird until my second coffee.

 

[therling]

I instinctually do this every time I have a rattle can in my hands!

+1 for a reciprocating saw shaker. Works really well - even on very old paint cans - really gets the old balls rattling!

Good one!

I came up with a new use for my neglected 1/3rd sheet oscillating sander. The can is held in place with reusable zip ties and a hunk of foam rubber cut from a Goodwill yoga mat. (1001 uses for that stuff.)

 

[Huxter]

There ya go! just put it on the garage floor for an hour or so (kidding) and voila - ready to paint! Very ingenious!