Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Spray

My apartment is filled with Mace!

EmilyFlew — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:14:18 -0800

My lovely husband has just accidentally set off pepper spray in our one-bedroom apartment. We're now hanging out in the building lobby, and have all the windows open and the fans going. Is there anything else we can do to make it so we can go back in the apartment tonight?

How to get this aerosol can to spray

Phire — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:51:32 -0800

I feel ridiculous asking this. I have a new can of WD40, and the nozzle won't depress. What do I need to do to get it to spray? The plastic cap of the nozzle, the part you push down on and the part with the spray hole, comes off very easily. The tube that's embedded in the can itself and that presumably leads to the liquid depresses very slightly, maybe 2-3 mm. It stops completely after that. It feels like there's some sort of safety catch I have to remove before it'll push down enough to actually pump out liquid.

What is that safety catch, and how do I remove it? Or am I just out of luck with this can? My chair is squeaky, please help.

Damn moles, get off my lawn!

Artw — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:28:14 -0800

We've been getting molehills in our front garden lately, and we want them to go away. Which anti-mole technology is best for us? Factors:
* Our garden is about 500 square ft. Only part of it is lawn, the rest being flowerbeds and some planters with vegetables. No sign of moles outside of the lawn so far though. The soil has recently been aerated, which seems to have started our mole problems.
* We have a cat, he catches them occasioanly, but as far as we know does not eat them. Anything which might harm the cat is out.
* Those neat looking plunger traps that skewer have been vetoed as too cruel. Anything that actually harms the moles directly is probably out. Boo.
* So we're probably looking at repellent sprays or some kind of audio device, which of those work best? Any particular brands that are more effective?
* The solar molechasers looks sort of interesting, but it is frequently overcast here, are they going to do anything?
* I kind of like the idea of the windmill mole chasers, but are they going to work with only moderate wind?

Maybe it's time for a (hairstyle) change?

Vorteks — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:46:09 -0800

I'm a man, and all my life I've had exactly one hairstyle. Now I'm looking to refine my look a little bit. What do I need to know? I've had pretty much the same hairstyle for 26 years. My friends and family often tease me that there's no point in me even going to the barbershop because "it always looks the same anyway". I have always worn a medium-length cut. My hair parts naturally, and I've never fought it. I pretty much use no hair products of any kind, other than shampoo and conditioner. I'm pretty conservative in my dress and grooming.

Now, I'm thinking a bit of change might be good. I might change my overall hairstyle, or maybe I want to keep my style but use some kind of product to enhance it or keep it in place a bit. However, I have no idea where to start. Can you help me? How does a man choose a new hairstyle? Is there some kind of guide? What sort of products (gels, sprays, brushes, etc) should I know about? What's the difference between a $10 barber, and a $30 salon? Any and all information would be helpful.

In general, I would consider:

A new (yet still conservative) hairstyle. A bit longer, a bit shorter, try to remove the part, whatever.

Using a subtle gel or spray to hold my hair in place or enhance it

Going to a new shop or salon if it would help

I would not consider:

Coloring or highlighting.

Gels or sprays that have a very obvious and dramatic effect - making your hair look solid, or laquered, or whatever

Anything that would shock your grandmother. I'm going for a more modest, business-friendly look.

I'm looking for more general advice about my options rather than a specific recommendation, but if it helps this is what I look like (although the part in my hair isn't always that pronounced). Also, if it matters, I live in Michigan, USA.

Thanks in advance!

Whats the deal with spray tans?

Unred — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:11:56 -0800

What do I need to know, as a very pale girl, about getting a spray tan? I have to wear a dress for a wedding in about a month, and I'm a little worried about my alabaster skin distracting the wedding guests. I've never gotten a spray tan, but think it'll look better than smearing on self tan. Any stories/tips to share?? And any recommendations for NYC tanning salons are appreciated.

How can I best spray paint my white Macbook's exterior?

ilumos — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:51:01 -0800

How can I best spray paint my white Macbook's exterior? I'd like to (durably) paint the outside of my white macbook. I've got experience with spray paints and stencils, but as the outside of my mac is glossy plastic, I wouldn't know how to best make the paint adhere. Is this possible, or will I just have to sticker the hell outta it instead?

Thanks in advance

How messy are vampires?

GoingToShopping — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:39:06 -0800

What happens when someone gets stabbed in one of the main neck arteries with objects of varying dimensions? So I'm a big fan of both the TV show Dexter, and also general horror movies and the like. I've been getting very conflicting information! Dexter stabs his victims in the neck with a syringe before doing his handywork. I've also seen in various video games and movies a special type of "syringe gun" used to instantly deliver medicine.
This conflicts somewhat with horror movie depictions of arterial wounds in that seemingly even the smallest cut will send gallons of the ol' kroovy spewing about the room.
Of course there are issues of size related to the hole, but I'd always been under the impression that the neck veins were special and different from the others. In addition, I've never actually SEEN someone outside of a fictional setting use the neck vein to deliver drugs.
Can't someone inform me?

Good painters imitate nature, bad ones screw it up...

emjay — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:02:10 -0800

Good painters imitate nature, bad ones spew(screw) it up. (Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) Spanish novelist, dramatist and poet. ) I suck at painting with a brush or pad. What is the best way to paint (Maybe with a sprayer) a large room? I suck at painting with a brush or pad. Seriously, I leave brush marks and lines and I get that "framing" look when I edge windows and walls. I use edge tape and still manage to drip onto the trim which requires even more touchup. I follow all the instructions and recommendations but I still eff it up.

I'm not uncoordinated; maybe I'm working too fast or not fast enough.

What is the best compressed air or other type of paint sprayer I can use to finish painting several rooms and furniture pieces?

For example:

1) master bedroom with a sloped 2 story ceiling on one side. That means essentially a full 14x17 room with a half of a cross section of that on top of it.(flat enamel)

2) A bathroom vanity/bath area with a door separating that area from the shower stall/toilet (I have a flat enamel paint, should I be concerned about the shower-stall area?)

3) Various pieces of furniture including bookcases and an IKEA bed that I just need to sand lightly and paint with a glossy enamel

Any recommendations for a sprayer that's not too difficult to clean and can handle different paint types easily? Any tips on what to/not to get? How much should I worry about overspray? Do I need to cover EVERYTHING in tape and plastic?

Mrs. Emjay would like all this painting done by Nov 15 and I'm on a deadline. HELP!

Help me find a new hair spray!

limeonaire — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:17:31 -0800

Hair spray fanatics: Help me find an unscented, non-aerosol, max hold alternative to this Pantene hair spray. I love this hair spray (Sheer Volume Outrageous Body Hairspray, Maximum Hold, Non-Aerosol) for its strong-but-not-sticky-or-flaky hold (the result of the specific polymers they use, I think) and the fact that it lasts all day, yet remains touchable where I want it to be (lighter touch on the nozzle) and stiff/curled where I want it to be (a couple extra spritzes). Unfortunately, I've learned that its strong scent is off-putting to several people close to me, so it's time for a change.

This is the next-closest thing Pantene offers, their only unscented, non-aerosol hair spray (Classic Unscented Hairspray, Flexible Hold, Non-Aerosol)—but unfortunately, its lighter level of hold just makes my super-fine hair go limp and greasy.

Any suggestions for an unscented, non-aerosol, non-sticky, non-flaky, max-hold alternative? Cheap hair sprays (the more readily available, the better) are great, as long as they meet all these criteria and you've had a good experience with them.

Acrobatic Skunk?

Sam.Burdick — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:45:41 -0800

Do Spotted Skunks stand on their fore legs? I've got what may be an urban legend kicking around my head. At one point in my childhood I ran across a Zoobooks issue about skunks and other mustelids and the salient fact that stayed with me (beyond the need to hang up your food while out camping around Wolverine country) was that Spotted Skunks will stand on their fore legs just before they spray, as a warning.

Now, I've turned up some semi-dubious sources that mention this fact. A few of the following links are first-page hits on google, not that this means much, and one wiki link. But, if there are any mustelidae fans or experts who can give me an actual peer-reviewed study on the spraying behaviors of the spotted skunk I'd appreciate it.

Links:

Wikipedia link on the spotted skunk
As a warning before spraying, the skunk stamps its front feet, raises its tail, and hisses. They may warn with a unique "hand stand"—the back vertical and the tail waving.

http://www.northern.edu/natsource/MAMMALS/Easter1.htm
They defend themselves by stamping their
feet, and, if the intruder does not leave, will stand on forefeet, raise their hind legs, and spray a jet of scent up to 11 feet.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/spotted_skunk.htm
The skunk first gives a warning by stamping its front paws. If the intruder pays no heed, the spotted skunk then stands stiff and struts around. It then stands on its front paws and waves its rear end in the air.

http://www.bear-tracker.com/spskunk.html
The spotted skunk has a unique spraying behavior. When threatened, it will turn its back, do a handstand on its forefeet, raise its tail, and spray.

http://starryskies.com/Artshtml/dln/8-98/skunks.html
The spotted skunk has a unique trait of doing a handstand on their front legs and then spraying over their backs.

Can you spray paint a storage tub?

FortyT-wo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:01:01 -0800

Is it possible to (successfully) spray-paint a rubbermaid storage tub that would sit outside and be exposed to the weather? Alternative suggestions for sprucing up a plastic storage tub welcome! I want to make some self-watering planters from some plans I've found on the web. They involve using storage tubs, and look pretty easy/neat/effective. They also look kind of trashy (to me) when completed. I was thinking that they might look nicer if painted a terra cotta color (like real earthboxes). Is there a spray paint that would work on this material and hold up during 8 months or so outside in the elements?

Do I have other options to make these attractive? Here's a link to the plans... be aware that it's a PDF.

I have a rather small deck and we enjoy the heck out of it all spring/summer/fall. I love to grow vegetables out there, and am excited about these planters, but don't want them to be an eyesore.

our cat is peeing all over our furniture AFTER being fixed... what do we do?

esolo — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:13:08 -0800

our cat is peeing all over our furniture AFTER being fixed... what do we do? My partner and I have a 10-month old cat that we love to death...

The vet that we took him to originally told us to wait as long as possible before fixing him, so he can "grow properly", failing to mention about the possibility of him starting to spray. We have never had a cat before, so this whole thing is quite new to us.

The cat started to pee on our couches around 6-7 months, and we fixed him as soon as we could. He was 8 months at the time. Now 2 months after he got fixed, he is still peeing on the couches. It does not smell as bad anymore, but our couches are pretty much garbage.

What is strange is that he doesn't pee in a typical spraying fashion (with his back to the object and tail up), instead he squats down and pees on the surface directly below him.

I know it is possible that he just keeps returning to the places that smell like him... The couches are very hard to clean, so we were not able to get rid of the smell completely. However, he also pees on new things - like bags and clothing of guests, for example. If the problem was just replacing the couches, I wouldn't mind. But I don't want to spend another 1.5 thousand dollars on a couch set to have it smell like pee again...

Has anyone heard of or used feline behaviorists? Anything else?

What can we do? Please help!

Help me find an affordable Air Compressor and Spray Gun combination?

austinlee — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:53:29 -0800

What is an affordable air compressor and spray gun combination? I'm not sure about how powerful a compressor I'll need. Also, I'm planning on keeping it down the basement and running the hose up through the floor. Is there a way to turn the compressor on and off without having to venture downstairs? (I'm in an apartment and the basement door is outside) I've seen things that allow you to shut off lights with a remote control. Maybe something similar to that? The main use will be to quickly and evenly coat canvases for paintings. I would also like to be able to use it to repaint the walls of my studio/gallery when they have become messy as well. Thanks!

Moldy Walls

silasjones — Wed, 09 May 2007 01:16:12 -0800

My family has mold growing on the lower portions of inside of the walls in the central area of our 15-year-old home. We're getting the house sprayed, but the price the contractor gave us seems extremely high. What should I expect? My family's house has had many problems in the years that we have had it - small leaks and huge torrents of water - that have left the house in a state of disrepair. We decided to repair the damage and get the house sprayed for mold at the same time. However, I have a feeling that we are kind of being gypped, and I'm wondering if anybody else on here has had their house sprayed for mold and would be able to let me know what it cost them or should cost, and what I should expect as a reasonably good job.

I'm not sure that the entire house needs to be sprayed, by the way - There's just a central area in the house, a bathroom, that has leaked water into the living room, master bedroom, and one secondary bedroom (under carpet - we're having that replaced as well) as well as the space beneath the bathtub.

CookingFilter: 2 of Graham Kerr's tools

IndigoRain — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:47:11 -0800

Asking for my mom: Help us find 2 kitchen tools that Graham Kerr uses on his Gathering Place show. They are not branded with his name. My mom is looking for:

1. An olive oil spray bottle that is measured - e.g. each spray is 1/4 tsp.

2. A small hand-operated mixer, about the size and similar appearance of a mini food chopper. It is designed for mixing things like cornstarch and water for thickening and has a hand-operated crank. You turn the crank on top and a paddle inside the container mixes whatever inside. It also has a pouring lip. We don't know what it's called. (We know many mixers have paddle attachments... we're specifically looking for the mini, hand-cranked, one-cup-ish sized mixer.)

We found another tool he uses - a salt dispenser that you can set to a certain measurement - 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, etc, and press the top and out comes that much salt - on kitchenart.com. We've Googled and searched Graham Kerr's website to no avail. We've also searched for his specifically-branded kitchen tools, and haven't found them.

Foot rash

Gabe014 — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 09:58:32 -0800

I went to the doctor a couple years back for a rash on my foot, he used a very very very cold spray on my foot, it seemed like he was drying it out. After that, he gave me some cream and that was it. I was wondering where I could find that really cold spray.

Is pepper-based Sinus Spray effective? Dangerous? Risky?

soulbarn — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:40:20 -0800

I have chronic sinus infections for which I am now considering surgery after trying most major medical options, as well as a massive allergen removal program. I read about a product called "Sinus Buster" which uses pepper in the form of a nose-drop to clear sinuses. I bought some, and based on just a few days usage, there is a definite improvement. I'm surprised, since the manufacturer also claims that the product can help you lose weight and has even said that it can cure some forms of cancer (multiple miracle claims=sure red flag.) So, my questions: - Does anyone else have any exeperience with this product? - The stuff burns, which I am getting used to - but is it really a good idea to put something that (at least) feels caustic up my nose? Is there a possibility of long-term damage? -Can I become reliant on it for clearing my congestion, as with "traditional" OTC nose drops? Here's the product URL: www.sinusbuster.com

What is the magic spray used by soccer/football medics?

jeversol — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 12:57:46 -0800

What exactly is the "magic spray" used by soccer/football medics? I'm an American who is just really watching soccer for the first time. When a player gets injured, the medics have an aerosol spray they use on the injury that seems to help the pain. The ABC/ESPN2 commentators have referred to it as "the magic spray." I've spent over an hour on Google attempting to find out what the magic spray is and what it does, but, I just keep finding references to "magic spray" and "magic injury spray," but no details. So, here I am. Anyone able to enlighten a soccer-ignorant American? Thanks. :)

Help me with a kitty problem.

Destroid — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:48:31 -0800

Cat Issue: I've got a female spayed kitty acting up and spraying my stuff. I moved in nearly four months ago with my girlfriend into a small apartment, in which she has two cats. One can go out, but we can't trust the other to come back, so she stays in. This cat, we'll call her Mogwai, is the problem. The cats haven't been disciplined at all, as much as you can discipline a cat, and I tend to be the one yelling at them for scratching furniture, getting on the table when they shouldn't, etc. I've tried to cool out and be more tolerant - I like cats okay, but these cats are a little much for me - but I think Mogwai is lashing out. Some time in the last few days she sprayed a musky, urine-based spray on my desk and CDs. Luckily, my laptop was elsewhere, or it would stink like the rest of my stuff.

But wait, here's some more info: This cat did the same thing at my girlfriend's parents' house, when girlfriend had to move home for a year, in 2005. She did this in a stairwell, on a wall. My CDs are in a vertical holder, so it's like marking a wall or something.

What should I do? I can't ask to get rid of the cat, nor do I want to. Is this even normal for a female cat to do this? Any suggestions would help.

And P.S. - No, I don't beat on the cat and most of the time we're cool, she'll even cuddle up on my lap, but for some reason she was pissed and I have no idea why.

Non-violent self defense?

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 22:25:17 -0800

What is the best form of non-violent self-defense, speaking in terms of both resultant injury and price? Tonight, I was attacked by two extraordinarily drunk people after I kindly informed one of them that I was on my last cigarette, and apologized. I am well trained in non-violent self defense, and so managed to handle both of them. However, a much larger friend of theirs came up out of nowhere and cracked me in the jaw. At that point, I made my escape.

I feel as though a bit of offensive force may have ended the situation without much harm caused to anyone. I have looked into pepper spray and stun guns, but I worry about heart conditions and more lasting damage. I have encountered people a day or two after having been pepper sprayed, and the lasting effects seem to be both painful and noticeable. Also, stun guns are pricey. Basically, I'm looking for something that says, "Sleep it off," and lets me get away when surrounded by perhaps 4-5 people, and nothing more. In particular, I worry about using a device, such as pepper spray, against somebody who is, say, allergic to peppers (which I assume to be an allergy to capsaicin). Any suggestions?

Note that I was raised a religious pacifist. The idea is to subdue and stay safe, not cause physical harm. Minimizing pain for the attacker is a plus for me.

Anti-Fog shower mirror/spray

sirion — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 09:59:57 -0800

I'm looking for one of two things: 1. A shower mirror that actually doesn't fog up, ever (without in-line installation or electrical installation), or 2. An anti-fogging spray that works well on, say, cheapy suction mirrors without giving me, say, lead poisoning over the course of a year or something. Any suggestions?

Can someone explain the red liquid spray patterns that appear on the asphalt of Southern California freeways?

quarantine — Fri, 26 Mar 2004 19:48:33 -0800

Can someone explain the red liquid spray patterns that appear on the asphalt of Southern California freeways? [more inside] A few times a year, I will come across a delta-shaped liquid dispersal pattern on Southern California freeways, usually on the 101 through the San Fernando Valley. The delta expands in the direction traffic flows, starting at a point-ish place and fanning outwards. It's what you might expect to see if you dropped a can of paint off the back of a truck at speed. But if it is "paint off a truck", why is it only red (if there is not selective memory involved here); why not other colors? Pure chance?

Of course, the first thing my mind jumps to is "blood", but the arguments against it being donorcycle street pizzas are [a] I don't think blood would stay that deeply red and [b] I don't think it would be that tenacious on asphalt. But I really don't know what I'm talking about, as my only experience with blood pools is that bastion of scientific integrity CSI (and yes, that's something you'd need a TV to get. :)

I'm usually pretty good at online research, but I don't even know where to start on this one (many of my guesses, not even using the word blood, take me to horror fiction or death fetishism.

Completely unrelatedly, would a U.S. resident here like a free, sealed packet of heirloom flowering tobacco seeds from Seed Savers Exchange? It was included by accident in my recent shipment of seeds, SSE doesn't want them back, I'm surely not going to grow them, and I'd experience more than $0.37 worth of guilt throwing them away. I don't want your address or anything, I'll send to a POB, PMB, your employer, a maildrop, whatever.