stitch678

I knocked over my can of aerosol spray starch and after it hit the floor, the " neck" of the sprayer broke , so l can't put the spray nozzel back on. I've since bought a new can. When l have emptied that, is it possible to use pliers to pull out the piece of white plastic of damaged can and insert the spray button and neck of the empty? I only used that damaged can once. 🙄 l understand this thing will be under pressure...has anyone successfully done that?

JanieW

I had the same thing happen with a brand new can. Sadly for me it wasn't salvaged. Maybe someone smarter than I can help you but for me I had to admit defeat. It was especially hard to take as spray starch is hard to come by in my area.

Quiltwoman44

Hmmmm, it might be worth contacting that company. They may just send you a new can. Sometimes companies can be very nice.

mkc

That piece inserted in the top of an aerosol can is a one-way valve, kind of like a little plunger. The pressure inside the can keeps it closed (presses up on the sealing flange), and when you push down on the nozzle it pushed the flange down, creating a small opening that allowes the pressure to expel the contents in a controlled fashion.

Removing the valve with the contents still pressurized is going to release all the pressure and contents at once and render the can completely unusable. It may also be dangerous, depending on how much propellant is still in the can.

stitch678

l sent an email asking what l can do. I'll let you know if l hear back

Snooze2978

I've always had issues with canned starch so I've starched my fabrics heavily using StaFlo in a dishpan and hung up to dry. Every once in awhile, I'll have to clean the bottom of my iron of excess starch after I've pressed all my fabrics though. But with the canned starch, it was a constant problem.

As to the broken top, can't give you any solutions but I understand what you're going thru. I do a lot of spray can painting and I always have an issue with this one type of paint. It's a topcoat with glitter in it and most times it will clog up after just one use and nothing I do will unclog it so I end up having to just throw it away. I've changed the nozzle hoping that would do the trick, stuck a wire down the hole to unplug it and I just get spray coming out then but not with the nozzle top on. Spray paint has gotten so expensive these days too so I just wait until I have a lot to spray using this special spray so if it clogs up on me, I've used more than just one time with it. I've only had 1 can where I was able to use the entire can of paint so far.

stitch678

Snooze 2978, when l use aerosol starch, paint, or adhesives, after use, l turn can upside down and give a squirt away from anything until just propellant ( air hiss) blows. That clears the nozzle.l was taught this by my dad, a very handy fellow 🙂 . My cans work until they're empty most times. Now if l could just stop dropping things!