You probably have spray cans of various products around the house like paint or WD-40. Some of them are only partially used. You shake it. You can hear it. The problem is there’s plenty of liquid left inside, but no air to push it out.

So you’re stuck with a few of cans of wasted product and money. It’s especially annoying after you’ve bought a multi-pack of aerosol items. Sound familiar? That’s called going flat. It’s what happens when all the compressed air in the can is gone and then it quits working.

But did you know there’s a way to eke out that last bit of product? YouTuber Sixtyfiveford knows how to rig the cans up for a compressed air refill. To be safe, one of the things you’ll need to know first is the maximum psi and temperature for your product. In this video’s example, that size of WD-40 is 95-105 psi at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures create dangerous conditions.

You will also need a valve stem. That’s the long pin-like piece of a tire that allows you to add air into it. It seals the space with rubber to keep the air from flowing out. They can be purchased online or at auto supply retailers for cheap. Now that that’s covered, we’ll outline a few of the steps in the clip.

Instructions:

1. Disassemble the Can

   Remove the nozzle from your spray can.

2. Attach the Valve

   Attach valve stem to can’s plastic stem so that the rubber end forms a seal.

3. Connect the Air

   Connect the air pump’s stem to the valve stem.

4. Pump Air

   Add air up to the maximum psi for your product’s can. In this demonstration, Sixtyfiveford went a little bit under the max.

 

For the love of all things safe, don’t do this with food-grade aerosols or rusty cans. Put the can of whipped cream down, please. Drop the spray cheese and canned cooking oil too. If the can is punctured or hot, do not attempt to refill it. You run the risk of injury as the can could burst and/or be flammable.

Once the product has totally run its course and is completely empty of the product/liquid inside of it, you can either throw it in the trash or send the can to recycling. Cans that still have a residual chemicals in them should be taken to a hazardous waste collection site. Check with your county’s waste management department for full details on aerosol disposal.

Watch the entire video to learn how to properly prep and assemble the can for a compressed air refill. This tip could save you some money but also save you in a pinch if you live far from a store or don’t have other resources available. If you were looking for a way to breathe new life into the cans sitting on your shelf but didn’t want them to go to waste, try this.

What do you think of this compressed air refill idea? Have you been looking for a way to revive your dead aerosol cans? Tell us in the comments!