How to Launch a Spray Paint Can

Blowing things up is always a lot of fun. So is launching an object large distances. But launching a spray paint can several hundred feet via an explosion is priceless. Launching a spray paint can takes a little preparation but is a lot of fun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Road flare
• Spray paint can
• Small rock

Launcher Construction

1. Obtain two wooden four foot by four foot packaging pallets. These can usually be found at any local warehouses for free of just a few dollars.

2. Purchase a launch tube. You should buy an 8 foot section of 3 inch plastic PVC piping.

3. Stand the two pallets about one to two feet apart and lean them towards each other. You need to attach them with screws or nails to keep them secure.

4. Slide the pipe down one the inside of one of the pallets, so it is sticking up out of them on about a 60 degree angle. Your device should now look like a big gun, because it is.

Launch

5. Drop a spray paint can down the pipe right side up.

6. Lift the pipe slightly off the ground by putting a rock under its edge. Lift it high enough to see the spray paint can, and get a road flare under it.

7. Light the road flare and place it so it is directly against the bottom of the spray paint can.

8. Run away and wait until the can blows up. When it does it should launch out with a loud explosion and fireball and fly a good 100 or more feet from the launcher.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to heat the bottom not the side of the can. If you heat the side, the can may actually rupture instead of simply popping off its bottom. If this happens the explosion will probably blow up your gun and cause injury or death to those nearby.
• Pay attention where you are launching the can. It will be traveling at high speed and will be very hot. Treat it like a gun and be cautious where it is fired.
• If the plastic pipe catches fire the smoke it puts off is poisonous, do not breath it or your could be injured or killed.
• If you are too close when the can explodes you can be injured or killed, be sure to stay back.