When shopping for any type of aerosol spray can—whether you’re looking for spray paint or a lubricant such as WD-40—determining the right size or weight can be a bit trickier than it is with other, similar products. Here, we’ll take a look at the differences in aerosol can labels and help you determine which measurements actually matter for your purposes.
What’s in an aerosol spray can?
One reason that aerosol can weights can be confusing is that these pressurized containers typically contain multiple substances—at the very least, both an active ingredient and a propellant that helps to expel that ingredient out of the can.
- The active ingredient is the actual product or substance that you’re purchasing—such as paint, lubricant, a cleaning product, or an insect repellant.
- The propellant is the ingredient (usually hydrocarbons) that helps to expel the contents of the can (including the active ingredient) as an aerosol or mist.
An aerosol spray can may have other contents, too. For example, cans of paint usually include a reducer that thins out the viscous paint for easier spraying. There’s also the weight of the can itself—and most aerosol cans will include an actuator (the piece you press down), along with a valve and dip tube that help to push the contents up and out.
As a result, when you’re reading the label on an aerosol can, it’s not always clear whether you’re looking at the weight of the entire can and its contents or just the weight of the active ingredient alone. That leads us to our next question.
What’s the difference between the net weight and gross weight of an aerosol can—and which one is more important?
The net weight of an aerosol can is the weight (in ounces and/or grams) of the active ingredient. Essentially, this tells you how much of the product is included in the can (or any other container). When you’re shopping for a particular product, this is the most important weight measurement that you’ll want to consider.
The gross weight (sometimes listed as the can size) of an aerosol can is the total weight, including not only the active ingredient but also the can, propellant, and other contents. When it comes to spray cans, this information is generally less useful than the net weight; after all, you probably don’t care about the weight of the propellant.
What’s the difference between ounces and fluid ounces?
Another possible source of confusion is that most aerosol can labels will display weight in ounces and/or grams, but some may actually list their volume, which is measured in fluid ounces (or milliliters). Though the similar names can be confusing, fluid ounces are not a unit of weight, and they are different from ounces; they’re only used to measure the volume of a liquid. In fact, you can’t use a can’s volume in fluid ounces to determine its weight without also knowing the weight per ounce of the liquid contents.
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From applying coats of paint to your car or truck to fighting off pests, aerosol spray cans are both extremely useful and highly versatile. Zoro has an extensive selection of aerosolized substances in many sizes and weights, including striping and marking paint and spray paint and primer.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.