[Shop-talk] aerosol cans

[Randall]

> I have a bunch of cans, PB blaster, WD40, etc that have lost 
> their pressure

What I usually do is re-pressurize them from the shop air.  Takes a certain amount of coordination, but I hold the tip of the
(non-OSHA) air gun up to the opening of the spray button, then press the button while pressing the valve on the air gun.  You may
need to repeat a few times as you empty the can (especially if the can was still nearly full) but it gives a good spray for a while.

> I am wondering if anyone has punched open cans in this 
> condition to salvage
> the rest of the penetrant/contents? 

I've done that too.  The neat way is to drill a hole, but a prick punch & BFH works well enough.

In fact, I'm in the habit of piercing cans before I throw them away; just to remove any possibility of the can exploding when the
garbage is compacted.  For that, a sharp rap on the corner of the vise will usually puncture the can.  They are surprisingly thin.

Randall