Decanting Gloss Lacquer from a Spray Can

[Guest]

I used Harry's method to decant from the spray can in the garage and it all went well. There was some gas at first but that stopped after about an hour. The can did not heat up from boiling (I didn't touch it). In fact it felt very cold, probably because of the normal effect when a liquid evaporates. I left it until the next day and widened the slit in the can, then used a screwdriver to make a lip to prevent dribbling, before putting it into 10 ml bottles.

Incidentally, the Tamiya can says "100 ml" but I got only less than 30 ml of paint (which is enough for me).

I wonder whether the propellant gas is propene or butane, one of which is used in all sorts of domestic spray can. Its flammable, and letting it all off in one go might cause an explosive mixture. I didn't turn the light on!

Thanks for the help.

[Guest]

The gas boils at a very low temp that is ambient temp if you was to shake it you would see the reaction which is why its important to let it stand so they all the gas dissipates out .Even if you cant see it . Pouring it out will also dissipate it. I don't know as it would be propane or butane but it would surely be one of the light end gases and yes it is highly flammable. But outside is fine as for a gas to be explosive its has to mix with a third of air proportionately.

When you come to use it leave the lid of to get rid of any gases that may still be in it as well.

If its cellulose.

When you come to spay it will great .You will need to use appropriate cleaner to flush your airbrush if its cellulose.

And it has to be an airbrush with appropriate seals, a cheap airbrush will damage the seals.

I use an iwata and its ok for using cellulose.

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I use the straw method also, I decant into old Tamiya jars and never had any issues with mess, the only thing I do different is to place cooking foil over the top of the jar secured with an elastic band, make one tiny hole for air to escape and push the straw tip through the foil to the side of the hole and spray away.

Adrian