Why don't the mfg of spray cans of paint (= "poof cans") offer replacement nozzles for sale @ their retail outlets, like Farm & Fleet, or Menards, or Ace Hdw, or John Deere, or CNH? 90% of the time when the can won't spray any longer, it's because the nozzle has blocked either totally or partially. Actually, a partial blockage can ruin your day if you're coming with the 2nd coat. It can really screw up the start of a nice paint job. Normally paint may have dried over the nozzle face. I'm aware of preventative means available to me the user, but they don't always work. Yes, after painting, turn the can upside down & spray for a few seconds to exhaust air (= LP gas) from the can without paint, thereby keeping the nozzle open. 2 problems. 1, it doesn't always work, & 2, then there's the good chance of running out of gas (LP) before the liquid paint is all expelled from the can. Again, aggravating & needlessly expensive.

I'm also aware of the cleaning methods. I use brake cleaner (evaporates fast with no liquid residue) & air hose to blow out nozzles. Sometimes when the paint has dried, I carefully use a pick to break the paint loose around the nozzle & then blow it off with brake cleaner & 120# of air. Of course, make sure you remove the nozzle from the can first so you don't paint yourself. Then, make sure you're holding on to the nozzle tightly when you remove it so you don't blow the nozzle across the shop & lose it, because they don't sell replacements. Any of the methods are time consuming when you want to just pick up a can & paint something. Cost of painting can be much higher when you have to throw away 1/3 of a can. Yes, we keep old nozzles from spent cans if the nozzle was still working.

But, if they'd sell new replacement nozzles for $0.10 each, I'd buy a couple bags & keep them. I realize there are different styles, but that's OK....I'll figure out what to stock. Most stores only sell 1-2 different brands of canned paint, but sometimes they're the same nozzles & cans.

That's my idea. So...where is it already being done that I haven't discovered? I did notice in my local Farm & Fleet last yr they had a display envelope with handfuls of those little red nozzle/straws that go in the buttons of WD40, brake cleaner, etc because they always get knocked off the can. Seems like they're a spring looking for an excuse to go flying. I think there must be thousands of them laying out in our yard since they most often don't make it back to the shop.

Thanks