never lose those straws again?

October 18, 2009 10:18 AM

toolfilter: if you own a can of wd-40 "smart straw" spray, are you able to remove the "smart straw top" and place it onto a different spray can and does it work there?

Yup, i'm actually blowing an askmefi question for this, because I couldnt find it by googling, and it seems like something every smart straw can owner at some point had to have thought about, and yet it seems no one has blogged about it!

Yes I know they're only about $5, but I dont need another can of oil or lubricant (I've got 3 already that i'm not using much). But I do need those straws all of which I've lost. I was thinking of buying a can of smart straw wd40 (with the built in straw that flips down) IF it means I can, from this point on, just pop on/off the smart straw apparatus onto any lubricant spray can I happen to be using.

Thanks!

By the way this is the wd-40 smart straw can.

posted by jak68 to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 comments total)

An alternative to the lost straw issue: they sell packs of like a half dozen replacement straws for a buck or two at the parts store.
posted by Rhomboid at 10:44 AM on October 18 [1 favorite has favorites]

But I do need those straws all of which I've lost. [...] IF it means I can, from this point on, just pop on/off the smart straw apparatus onto any lubricant spray can I happen to be using.

If you're prone to losing the straws, isn't there a risk you will lose the removable smart-straw apparatus?

From that point of view, having it fixed on is a feature :)
posted by Mike1024 at 10:50 AM on October 18

As for the regular straws, I cut them in half and leave the unused half taped to the can in case I lose the other.
posted by rhizome at 11:18 AM on October 18

My dad buys big packs of those coffee stirrer straws and uses those when he loses the original straw. It's like $1 for a hundred at the grocery store.
posted by muddgirl at 12:18 PM on October 18

I use coffee stirring straws too, although I just reuse one that came with a purchase of coffee. Quick rinse with water and it's good as new.

Also, to prevent losing your straw: slip two rubber bands around your can of WD40 and tuck the straw under those, the chances of both rubber bands failing at the same time are pretty low.
posted by jamaro at 12:28 PM on October 18

Although I don't know for sure, I can't imagine the makers of WD-40 asking for a redesigning of the can's receiver to accommodate their new nozzle.
If I were you, I'd go to the hardware store and start popping tops. Check to see if the new WD-40 nozzle will work on an average can of spray paint.
posted by Acacia at 2:56 PM on October 18

I have one of those cans handy but I don't really know how to answer the question. It says "Do not remove straw or nozzle" on it, and the top assembly doesn't come off easily. Maybe it will if I force it, or maybe it will wreck a $5 can of WD-40.
posted by smackfu at 6:30 AM on October 19

hey smackfu - lol, ya thats exactly what i was wondering about - if the nozzle can be yanked off and then placed on a different can. I can understand your not wanting to risk the whole can though; maybe someone can try it on an empty (or near-empty) can. :)

Meanwhile I guess i'm going to invest $5 in the experiment... i'll buy a can and rip the top off. I'm too curious to pass this up ;D
posted by jak68 at 2:40 PM on October 20

update: I was over at mum's place and she had a "smart straw" can of wd-40. I promptly pulled on the top of it and it came off in my hand with just a little twisting. You could see the "stem" sticking out from top of can. I also was able to just pop it back on and it worked fine again.
So the "smart straw" top does come off. Question is, can it then fit onto a different can and would it work there? I wasnt able to try that out since I didnt see any other spray cans I could try it on.

smackfu - if you want to try it on a different can, just fyi it does come off (and pop back on as well) so you wouldnt ruin your existing wd40 can. Just have to grab it and twist it a bit.
posted by jak68 at 11:51 AM on October 22