I can't seem to figure out a good way to pour reducer etc.. from the gallon metal can it comes in without spilling, especially when it is full. Thanks for any advice in advance. Zach

I'm glad you asked, I'm having the same problem. The stuff spills all over the place :mad:

Anybody have the answer ? Will one of those little plastic spouts work ? (I just thought of that)

I usually punch a small vent hole on the opposite end of the can. Then I tape over it so it doesn't evaporate or spill. It sure helps me.

Mike

I've had the best luck by positioning the gallon can opening up high and then tilting in the cup or smaller container to it and then lifting the can so the thinner comes out fairly slow and lets air get back into the gallon container.

Drawing of filling out of a 1 gallon container (http://community.webshots.com/s/image9/5/58/78/110055878mamnrP_ph.jpg)

Jim/Saint Louis

Originally posted by Mike72ss:
I usually punch a small vent hole on the opposite end of the can. Then I tape over it so it doesn't evaporate or spill. It sure helps me.

Mike That was the problem....thanks graemlins/thumbsup.gif

If your talking about a rectangular can like a thinner can,try pouring it sideways, so the wide side of the can is facing up. On round gallons like paint,i knock a few drains in the rim where the lid sits on side im going to pour from with a small punch, then just dump it quick and have some rags ready, :eek: no real neat way to do it when its full.

70 has it. You lay the can on it's side with the pour spout UP. That is the hard part to accept. The pour spout is UP with the can laying flat. It goes against everything you would think.
The problem is when you pour it "normally" the air has to go so far from at the top of the pour spout, past the exiting solvent up to the "top" of the can to the air pocket. If you tilt it on it's side with the spout at the highest point you can get it, the air then has only a short way (at least the shortest we can make it with this type of can) and it works like a charm.

By the way, you WILL loose a lot thru evaporation if you punch a hole. I know it is tempting, but you will. In fact it is ILLEGAL in highly VOC regulated areas like the San Francisco bay area. ALL CONTAINERS MUST BE SEALED AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT IN USE. graemlins/beers.gif

Originally posted by MARTINSR:
By the way, you WILL loose a lot thru evaporation if you punch a hole. I know it is tempting, but you will. In fact it is ILLEGAL in highly VOC regulated areas like the San Francisco bay area. ALL CONTAINERS MUST BE SEALED AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT IN USE. graemlins/beers.gif Punch a small hole and seal it up with a small "O"
ring over a sheet metal screw.

On gallon cans without a spout, I use a 2in tape and wrap it around the can. Then when you pour form a V in the tape. Makes for no spills and runnage down the side. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

i have used a small plastic pump inserted into the can (like one used for gear lube). It is east to control.

Wow, 10 responses! This site is great! I will give it a honest effort the Martnsr Mike way and use Eric's tape idea as a backup. Glad I don't live in The Bay Area! Thanks again everbody! Zach graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Zach,
Thought Id DRAW a cute little pic of the TWO different ideas mentioned.

The idea mentioned by 70isfine and MartinSR is shown on the top. You use this method on containers like DT reducer or gallon cans of clear.

The other method of using tape(bottom) you use on gallon cans like primer surfacer or what not because you have no spout to help the product flow...Eric

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/can-pouring.jpg

Ahh a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes creates another thousand questions!

I have been using a soup laddle to scoop paint from the gallon paint cans. I may be waisting a little that sticks to the laddle but the seal on the can stays nice and I don't leave any there so it is probably a draw. As long as it is laquer thinner and not some other type of thinner it is fine to clean the gun and mix cups with any brand of laquer thinner, right?

I use some el-cheapo wash thinner to clean out guns, but run some good reducer thru it before using it again.

Go to Home Depot and get one of the plastic pieces
that clips onto the rim of the can. Works great.