Topic: Question for the painters

[bwaller]

I use a wheel silver rattle can paint by PlastiKote on one frame. At different points during application it will burp out a bunch of fleck. The can is always well shaken, before & during the job. The frame was primed first and the surface is always clean. Part of the time the coverage is perfect, then will spew out this fleck.

I've used this paint for four years and I always experience the same issue. This fleck sits on the surface and I just remove it with a soft scotchbrite pad. The paint is quite unaffected. This is a race bike not a show piece so I'm able to touch it up regularly.

It's likely the applicator... any ideas what I'm doing wrong? 

[brooze72]

Yea likely the applicator... By that I mean the nozzle, rattle cans tend to drip/clog at the orifice after using it for awhile.  Change out the nozzle or even give it a wipe with some thinner on a rag periodically.

[bwaller]

It was a brand new can, but any other I've used was the same. More likely the other applicator Bruce!

[LesterPiglet]

I don't remember what brands in particular but it has happened to me with lesser well known cans. I don't use plastikote.

[bwaller]

I've used this paint before and not had any issues. It's this silver wheels stuff. I like the colour but probably should have changed brands.

[LesterPiglet]

Actually I have used Steel Wheels in the past few years but I don't know if was Plastikote. It turned out great.

[750K]

Sometimes spray cans will have been sitting on the shelf or warehouse for ages, you will fine the paint solids will settle to the bottom which is where the tube that feeds the valve and nozzle. You might think its shaken well but there's still some sediment that isn't in the mix, cleaning off the nozzle periodically will help as well.

[krusty]

Two things I can think of here.
One is, are you keeping the nozzle fully depressed all the time?
The other is a suggestion. Shake the can well, then after that stand it in a pot of freshly boiled water for a few (3-4) minutes then shake well again.

[NobleHops]

Two things I can think of here.
One is, are you keeping the nozzle fully depressed all the time?
The other is a suggestion. Shake the can well, then after that stand it in a pot of freshly boiled water for a few (3-4) minutes then shake well again.

Boiled water? Like, 200+ degrees?

Call me a nancy boy, but I'd personally aim a little lower to warm up a thin metal cylinder pressurized with propane. I do the same to help rattle cans flow, with water as hot as I can get from the tap, closer to 140 I think.