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Eploding Cellulose paint tins
Stuart Walker - 30/8/21 at 09:01 PM

May not be a likely situation for many, but a word of warning in case anyone else is opening old cans of cellulose paint -

I went to open one today which has probably been sealed for 10 years (or more), it exploded with a massive bang, fired the lid into my forehead and covered my face and eyes in paint. All sorted now but be warned if you happen to be doing the same! Not sure what caused it, maybe the paint releases something over time which causes pressure to build.

macc man - 30/8/21 at 09:26 PM

I had some cellulose paint in my shed and the pressure build up caused the tin to split and leak out. It gets quite hot inside in summer I guess the pressure has to go somwhere.

[Edited on 30/8/21 by macc man]

jollygreengiant - 31/8/21 at 08:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Stuart Walker
May not be a likely situation for many, but a word of warning in case anyone else is opening old cans of cellulose paint -

I went to open one today which has probably been sealed for 10 years (or more), it exploded with a massive bang, fired the lid into my forehead and covered my face and eyes in paint. All sorted now but be warned if you happen to be doing the same! Not sure what caused it, maybe the paint releases something over time which causes pressure to build.


Me thinks that the CLUE as to WHAT caused it is ON THE CAN. It IS Cellulose. Cellulose IS a very flammable and volatile liquid, when left in a can (ie paint) for a prolonged period of time, the cellulose WILL come out of solution and form a pressure within that container. Eventually this pressure must/will equalise with a lower external pressure. either the can goes BANG, or, the LID flies off with great force when you are trying to open it.

Benzine - 31/8/21 at 10:20 AM

Thread title sounds like a craft ale