A helpful tip for keeping the nozzle on Rust-Oleum spray paint cans unplugged

Rust-Oleum brand spray paint cans spray upside down. This may be a benefit of the product. However, it also means that you cannot clear out the nozzle by tipping the can upside down and spraying. Consequently, in my shop, the nozzles are usually plugged up after the first use. This is annoying. Here is a tip on what I do to keep the nozzles clean. I do not want to waste anything! I desire to use the can right until its empty!
Now, in fairness to Rust-Oleum, I now clean out every nozzle, from any brand, in this manner. If I use a can of spray paint, I automatically clean out the nozzle with brake cleaner. Doing so costs just about nothing, but saves a lot!

[@patrickbateman9887]

This is EXACTLY what I was looking forward. Thanks!

[@stephenhumble7627]

Interesting - maybe the benefit of the upside down feature is that you can get the very last drop of paint out of the can.
As the bottom of the can is concave it would be difficult to get that last little bit of paint out but with this design you turn it upside down and can get the last drop.

[@bryanh1944FBH]

Hi! Thank you for commenting. Maybe that's the reason indeed. Thank you.

[@jaywalt1311]

First time I experienced this I was pretty mad. Same with you're thinking, I couldn't see the point. Who paints upside down? Only once or 2x in my life have I needed to and it wasn't the end of the world. I do the same thing to clean the nozzles on these stupid cans... I dont see any other way.

[@bryanh1944FBH]

Hi Jay. I agree. I too seldom, if ever, paint upside down. Thank goodness for brake cleaner! The 1 minute it takes to do this is worth the effort!

[@robertghorne8607]

I store mine upside down on the lid.

[@hunkydorian]

How about when the nozzle is okay but the can clogs up, which happens a lot.

[@bryanh1944FBH]

I know! What do you do to clear the clog? I try hitting the can pretty hard on the shop floor to drive the clog out. But, that usually doesn't work and it looks like I'm having a temper issue.

[@FPChris]

Helpful tip. Don’t buy that trash. Worst paint ever. Rarely dries properly.

[@patrickbateman9887]

The cynic in me thinks they did this deliberately so you have to keep buying new cans. I've thrown away several that were almost full because they got irreparably clogged.

[@bryanh1944FBH]

Hi Patrick! Thank you for commenting. I kind of feel the same. Yet, they did go through a lot of effort to make the can spray upside down (for reasons that seem hard to understand). Now, I have been told that spare nozzles can be purchased. Yeah right! Like any store would actually carry them. For now, it's a brake clean rinse and that works every time.