Unusual Uses for EMPTY Spray Can

My father is an electrical engineer and requires different types of liquids and gases such as paint, lubricator, etc, which usually comes in spraying cans. I had few Empty spray cans laying in my fathers workshop and thought I could build something.

Different project will require different tools. Tools used in this instructables is shown in the picture.

Almost all the type of spray cans i have used contain liquid which is inflammable and the can has an warning sticker on the back. We have to make sure the can is empty before tampering it or it may result into explosion. Press and hold the spray nozzle for at least 10 seconds. Repeat this step for 2 more times to ensure the can is 100% empty.

Make sure you are cutting and drilling the can in an open field to avoid any accidents.

This instructables requires lots of cutting and drilling and the edges or burrs are razor sharp which can seriously injure you. Wear proper safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, etc. Don't be shy to take help from and experienced adult if you cannot handle the drilling or cutting, as did I.

Lets start with something simple. Usually Spray paint cans comes with big caps we will be using it to make a small organizer.

Supplies:

• Spray paint can caps
• Hot glue

• Gather different colored 3 to 4 spray paint can caps.
• Remove sticker or sealing if any.
• Clean the cap surface using a cloth.
• Apply hot glue on one cap and press and hold the other cap to the glued cap.
• Let the glue dry.
• Make sure the caps are level while gluing the caps.
• Repeat the same steps for other caps.
• You can further diivide the caps by introducing sections using a cardboard.

Big organizer is same as small organizer the only difference is we will be using spray cans instead of can caps.

These can be used to store drill bits, pencils, pen, markers, etc.

Supplies:

• Empty spray cans
• Marker
• Hot glue
• Hacksaw
• File/Sandpaper
• Spray paint

• Clean the surface of the spray cans.
• Remove rust using a piece of sand paper if any.
• Measure and mark the height required on the spray can using a marker.
• Cut through the marked line.
• Make sure you are removing the top part(nozzle part).
• Using a file or sandpaper remove burrs from the cut section.
• Apply Hot glue on one spray can and stick the other on onto it.
• Make sure the cans are level and aligned properly.
• Paint the organizer using a spray paint.
• You can decorate further if you wish.

You can use flattened body of the spray can as a metal sheet for you instructables. The sheet obtained is bit thicker than the sheet obtained with coke cans hence can be used in various projects.

Here is how I have used this sheet in my instructables.

I have rectified some mistakes which I have made in the previous instructables.

Supplies:

• Spray cans
• Hacksaw
• Mallet
• Tin cutters

• Cut open the spray can along the top and bottom seam using an hacksaw blade. (Previously I had used can openers to cut the bottom seam but can openers makes an indents on the bottom part of the can which is undesirable.)
• Remove the mixing components such as marbles and let the cut can dry (These are usually found in paint spray cans).
• Use tin cutters to cut the can along the joining seam of the can.
• Expand the sheet and you may notice it is resisting it. This is due to the bent provided on the can,this increases the strength of the can.
• Cut the bent part of the sheet using a tin cutter.
• Flatten the sheet using a mallet or hammer (Mallet preferred to avoid indents).
• Use this sheet in your instructables.

This is an simple camping stove you can make using a spray can. It is compact and can be used as a storage device when not in use as a stove hence makes a perfect companion for trekking or camping. Although it is not that efficient it can be used to make tea or coffee etc.

The reason it has been mentioned that the stove is not efficient is because the height of the stove is bit bigger than its diameter. By the time the flame reaches the top it turns into smoke. A small can could have worked perfectly as shown in the picture but it still has got the liquid. Once the can is empty I might give it a thought.

Supplies:

• Spray can
• Hacksaw blade
• Marker
• Cloth Tape
• Drill machine
• Drill bits(4mm, 6mm)
• punch
• File/Sandpaper
• Spray paint(Heat resistant.)

• Using ruler mark 10mm from the bottom of the spray can.
• Wrap the cloth tape or flexible ruler around the spray can. Use the 10 mm marked point as a starting point for the edge of the cloth ruler.
• Measure the circumference of the spray can and divide it into 8 to 10 equal parts.
• Punch the marked points and drill holes of 6 mm.
• Cut the top seam nearer to the nozzle using a hacksaw blade. Notice we are cutting the seam on the dome part not on the cylindrical body.
• Remove the mixing components from the spray can and let the leftover paint in the can dry.
• Using a file remove burrs from the cut and drilled section.
• Drill holes on the top part of the spray can using 6mm and 4 mm drill bits. Please refer pictures for proper understanding.
• Paint the stove using black spray paint. heat resistant paint is preferred.

• Use dry twigs, leaves, paper, wood chips as fuel.
• Insert the fuel from the top opening, add few drops of fire starter such as kerosene, petrol etc.
• light the dry twig outside the stove and insert it into the stove.
• wait for 5 seconds and the put the utensil on top of the stove and you are good to go.

Here is an amazing way to re use your Empty spray can. These can be used to spray pesticides on plants.

Supplies:

• Spray can
• Marker
• Utility Knife
• Soda pet bottle
• Fast curing epoxy
• Teflon tape
• Super glue
• Drill machine
• Punch
• Drill bit(8mm, 10 mm)
• Tire valve

• Separate the pet bottle and neck of the bottle using a utility knife. Cut till the thicker part of the bottle neck starts.(use soda bottles since they are made to handle pressure higher than water bottles.)
• The surface of the spray can is curved and the neck we have cut is flat. Using a file shape the neck of the pet bottle to properly fit on the spray bottle.
• Once the neck is shaped mark the outline of the bottle neck by placing it on the spray can. Place the neck on the top most part of the spray can for marking.
• Mark an approximate center of the outline.
• Punch and drill on the center marked using a 10 mm drill bit.
• Unscrew the bottle cap off the neck and mark center on it.
• Unscrew the tire valve nuts and measure the threaded shaft diameter.
• Use a drill bit nearest to the measured value for 7.85 mm use 8mm drill bit to drill on the bottle cap.

• Once the holes is drilled on the bottle cap insert the tire valve and check if the valve fits snugly.
• The parts where the nuts comes should be out.
• Using proper spanner tighten the nuts on the valve.
• Notice the cap is sandwiched between two rubber washers. This will provide air tight seal.
• Using super glue stick the bottle neck on the spray can on the marked outline.
• Use fast curing epoxy compound to further seal the neck and the spray can.
• Wrap Teflon tape on the threads of the bottle cap.
• Fill the constituent you want to spray.
• Tighten the cap and pressurize the can using bicycle pump.
• A typical spray can is pressurized to 130 to 140 psi.
• Do not use flammable liquid as constituents.

This is an amazing idea which I got to know from a YouTube video. This door knob looks amazing but has one drawback, the top part might hence rust it will needed to be painted.

Supplies:

• File
• Top and bottom Part of the spray can.
• M8 Nut.
• Epoxy Glue

• We are going to use the left over top and bottom parts of can in the sheet step.
• Here we need to use the bottom part of the can which does not contain mixing elements such as marbles. These marbles tends to deform the bottom part when we shake the can for use.
• Remove nozzles and pipe from the top part of the can
• Using a file remove the burrs.
• Drill a 10 mm hole on the top part of the can as shown in the pictures.
• Once the hole is drilled the nut should snugly fit on the hole.
• Secure the nut using epoxy glue.
• Glue the top and bottom part of the can using epoxy glue and let the epoxy dry.
• Make sure both the parts are aligned properly.

Here is an easy and good use of can caps as a plant pot . These can be ideal for small plants such as succulents, Cactus, etc.

Supplies:

• Can caps
• Drill machine
• Drill bits 4mm/6mm

• Remove stickers, sealing from the can caps if any.
• Clean the cap.
• Drill 3 to 4 holes on the top of cap using 6 mm or 4 mm drill bits.
• Fill the caps with soil and plant your plant.
• You can also use spray cans as planters but make sure the cans are made of aluminum or G.I to avoid rusting.

Yo Yo is an ancient toy with proof of existence since 500 BCE. The yo-yo was also called a bandalore in the 17th century. Lets revisit an old fidgeting toy a yo yo

Supplies:

• 2 Top part of can
  File
• Fish net thread
• Drill machine
• Drill bit 6mm/10 mm
• Epoxy glue
• Paint

• Using a file or sandpaper remove burrs from the top parts of the can.
• Remove plastic nozzle part from the top part of the can using pliers.
• Drill hole in the center of the top part of the can using 10 mm drill bit.
• Glue both the top part of the can using strong epoxy glue.
• Stick one end of the thread in the center part of the yo yo we have made make sure the epoxy is strong . Please refer the pictures.
• Paint the yo yo and you are good to go.

I had no use of the stove made earlier so I have re used the stove can to make a candle lantern.

Supplies:

• Spray can
• Tin cutter
• Drill machine
• Drill bit 6mm, 4mm
• 1 mm stiff rod
• Hot glue
• Candle

• Start by drilling hole on the top sides of the can using 4 mm drill bit for handle holes.
• Draw an oval on the body of the can using a marker. In my case I had to use a sharp point sriber to remove existing paint.
• Punch a hole in the middle of this oval and start cutting it using a tin cutter.
• The bottom of the can is convex shaped and hence it cannot hold candle properly.
• Glue a circular cut out from the flat sheet we made earlier in the can.
• Shape and attach the stiff rod to the side holes.
• Stick foil paper inside the lantern for reflection although it is not necessary if the inner surface of the can is already shiny.
• Place the candle and you have a Lantern made of spray can.