DIY Spray Paint

Intro: DIY Spray Paint

It’s easy to create your own spray cans. =)
Spray paint can be expensive and you might not be able to find the exact color you are looking for.
You can use any type of paint available acrylic, plastic, water based, food coloring, ink, permanent ink, etc.
(...with the only precaution that it won’t dissolve the plastic bottle itself )

STEP 1: Materials + Tools

Materials
2-3 Bicycle inner tubes (used or old you only need the valve)
Coca Cola bottle (it’s made to withstand a lot of inner pressure)
Spray paint can ( EMPTY)
Plastic air tube (found at pet stores for aquariums)
simple plastic pen

Tools
hacksaw
awl
pliers
pliers cutter
bike pump
lighter

STEP 2: COMPLETELY Empty Spray Paint Can Before Cutting It!

Very important!! COMPLETELY empty spray paint can before cutting it!
It should be empty of ANY air or paint residue.
…then pierce the can with the awl in an open & safe area, pressure might still exist in the can. You need to COMPLETELY remove the air before cutting the can this is important because the can might explode if any pressure still exists in it when you saw the top off.

STEP 3: Remove As Mush Metal Around the Valve As Possible

With the pliers cutter and pliers remove as much metal around the valve as possible and remove any pointy edges.  
You will end up with something looking like this.

STEP 4: Cut the Valves Off the Bicycle Inner Tubes

With scissors or exacto knife cut the valves off the bicycle inner tubes.

STEP 5: Pierce the Coca Cola Bottle

Heat the awl with the lighter and pierce the Coca cola bottle.
The hole must be as big as the bicycle valve to fit tightly.

STEP 6: Create 3-4 O-rings From the Bicycle Spare Tube.

Create 3 O-rings from the bicycle spare tube.
place one on the valve that will go on the bottle.

STEP 7: Insert the Valve on the Bottle

Insert the valve on the bottle.
With the pliers tighten the small nut from the outside of the bottle so the O-rings adhere to the bootle from the inside.

The bottle part is ready. =)

STEP 8: Pierce the Coca Cola Bottle Cap

Heat the awl with the lighter and pierce the Coca cola bottle cap.
The hole must be as big as the bicycle valve.

STEP 9: Create the Cap Valve

Cut the “valve part” from the valve.

Insert 2 O-rings one from the upper side & one from the inner side and secure tightly with 2 nuts.

Fit a piece of air tube on the inner side long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle.
(liquid will have to go through this tube to escape from the bottle)

Place another piece or air tube on the outer side of the bottle cap (as long as you want) and secure tightly with hot glue or zip ties this connection must be super secure. (you don’t want paint squirting everywhere!)

STEP 10: Create the Can Valve Part

Stretch the air tube as to securely fit the plastic part of the can valve.

Take a piece of the plastic pen and stretch the end in a V shape to be able to fit tightly around the valve and the air tube.

Then gently hit it to insert the plastic pen part around the valve securely you can use a zip tie to keep it secure.
(you don’t want paint squirting everywhere!)

STEP 11: You Are Ready =)

You are ready =)
Test the finished product with some water. Slowly increase the pressure inside and check for any leaks or moving parts…
If all is secure your spray painter is ready. A good indicator of how much pressure exists is when the label is stretched around the bottle.
Only fill half of the bottle with paint and leave the rest of the bottle for the compressed air to build up.
You are ready to use your spray painter!

*Tip for graffiti writers..
If you make the air tube on the upper part of the cap long enough, you can even make an undercover sleeve spray thingy ;)
just place the bottle part in your backpack and pass the air tube through your sleeve.

Have fun! =D

Comments

[sfreeman10]

I've recently have tried to redesign my laptop by spray painting it but couldn't find the right color. This video lets me get the right color and the spray paint design. Sweet instructable.

[Cheesey125]

Try hydro dipping

[AaronF106]

Instead you should utilize more of the top valve end cap part & connect it to one of the plastic trigger spray guns. It would make a great consistent spray while the can stayed upright.

[charmrus]

what about the paint, do you need to thin it to get it to pass thru the nozzle?

Thanks

[ujeuye4]

Cool

[Namirreh]

Actually it's easier than you'd think. Hold the can up-right, grab an ice-pick or some tool that's similar. Pierce the can on the side, close to the top (away from the paint) The internal air pressure will use the surface area of the paint, in the can, as a pressure point sorta, and as the paint pushes out , it's forcing the paint against the bottom of the can and by the time the pressure lowers to where you'd think it might come out, it won't. There's not enough pressure, it just ran out. If you'd feel safer, just hold a rag/cloth over the piercing tool. (Don't forget your Safety glasses)

point (sorta

[Farmer Bean]

Cool trick! What size nuts?

[barben]

Great idea for those of us whose spray can has stopped working. Once this was made we could use the paint still in the over half full cans. If I can figure out how to open them without sending paint all over. lol I would like to still use the paint in those cans.

[steve000]

I know this has other applications but its pretty obvious its a method to put peoples stupid name on other peoples property, A name which on one else cares about cept the tagger. Graffiti is a crime, I don't care if you call it art or whatever its a crime. If you get permission from the owner of the property to do it then you wouldn't need concealed spray cans and a hoodie.

Also cans cost $2 over here.
I do agree though, especially for little jobs this could have an application because it can be hard to find the right colour or its a waste to get a full can just for a little touch up. Good and bad article :)

[kilo_me]

I never indicated that I support vandalism or the use of graffiti for the defacement of private and state-owned property. The reason why I prefer to conceal my identity is completely irrelevant to this post, furthermore the wall I was “painting” was on my own property and the “paint” was simple and plain water so no harm. =)

Prices of spray cans may vary from region to region in UK it can get up too £6.95 per can.
thank you for your honest opinion.
have fun =)

[Gadget93]

None the less, this is an ingenious idea.

[Remag1234]

steve000, No one here needs a graffiti crime lesson and speculation. Did you ever think the author didn't want to show himself for whatever reason? If someone wants to deface property he is not going to got to the trouble of making this DIY gadget, it's easier to toss the spray can when finished.
IMO I think you owe the author an apology.

[steve000]

I didn't mean any offense

This is a good article, good details and innovative design.

As for graffiti, it costs taxpayers heaps to clean up and some of us have been personally affected by it with damage to their (my) own property. Just note though, in my opinion I didn't imply you were a lowlife tagger, sorry if you took it that way.

As for the hoodie, fair call to conceal your self, better filming might have been have been better option as the hoodie stereotypically goes with the crime but you make a good point so sorry for that.

[steve000]

That being said..
*Tip for graffiti writers..
If you make the air tube on the upper part of the cap long enough, you can even make an undercover sleeve spray thingy ;)
just place the bottle part in your backpack and pass the air tube through your sleeve.

I read this as, you can conceal your paint, make the tag and move on without the cops noticing you.
I hope it fails and fills your favorite bag and jacket with paint.. have fun :)

[Gadget93]

I agree. Vandals have no place in our society.

[DeeRilee]

And, as an artist in the studio, the longer air tube will also be a benefit....much easier to direct an air tube, than a cumbersome bottle.

[DeeRilee]

As an artist (on canvas, not walls or buildings), this is GREAT!!! Acrylic paints in spray cans are expensive! I can't wait to try it!

[Fly4aWhiteGuy]

You can buy a dual action airbrush at Harbor Freight for $20
Much better for art.

[MikB]

"It should be empty of ANY air or paint residue. You need to COMPLETELY remove the air before cutting the can"

One way to do this: When you think the can is empty, and no more gas/paint comes out, place the can in hot water to heat it up (hold it down, otherwise it will float). With the nozzle under water, press and see the bubbles come out. When that bubbling stops, let the can cool down, you'll find a partial vacuum inside when you press the nozzle -- it will suck instead!

Most cans don't have air inside, they have flammable butane/propane to keep up a (more) constant pressure over the life of the can.

[Fly4aWhiteGuy]

I just punch a hole with a large nail and some common sense.