Q: Why are there two different types of Aeroflex Straw Locs?
A: The Aeroflex Straw Locs are manufactured in two different styles, one straight and one angled, due to the fact that generally the small diameter nozzles that are commonly found on aerosol penetrate cans are actually manufactured in two different ways. A very small retaining orifice is molded into the nozzles that hold the straws in place. One style holds the straws in the nozzle at an upward angle. Whereas the other style holds the straws straight out. For the best results, you should always try to fit the correct Straw Loc to the proper nozzle.
Q: I just attached an Aeroflex Straw Loc to the nozzle of my can of penetrant. It’s leaking. And the fluid is not coming out the straw with any real force either. Why is this happening?
A: The Aeroflex Straw Loc is not a coupler. It is simply a device to hold and keep the straw from dislodging from the nozzle. You must still insert the tip of the straw, as you normally would, into the tiny retaining orifice in the nozzle so a “connection” to the straw and nozzle is made.
The air/fluid mixture from the can cannot “jump” from the nozzle to the straw. The two must be connected. In other words the straw must be pressed into the orifice so a connection is made.
Much like connecting two garden hoses…the water will not fly out of one hose and “jump” into the other one. It is vital to connect them together so that the water will flow properly from one hose into the other.
- Slide the straw through and out the back of the Straw Loc so that about ½ to ¾ of an inch of the straw is sticking out past the back of the Loc. It may be helpful to lift the back of the Loc up so it is out of the way of straw travel.
- Press the straw into the orifice of the nozzle.
- Then slide the Straw Loc down the straw toward the nozzle. As you do this the back of the Straw Loc should drop down and settle around the back of the nozzle.
- You’re all set! The straw will not dislodge from the nozzle again.
We ALWAYS recommend you REMOVE the NOZZLE from the CAN when mounting an Aeroflex Straw Loc on a nozzle. This way you will not have to worry about spraying yourself with the contents of the can.
Remember! NEVER POINT the CAN or NOZZLE towards YOU or your FACE when attaching any Aeroflex product.
Q: Will Aeroflex Straw Locs work with the “little red straws” that come taped on the side of most aerosol penetrate products?
A: Yes. Aeroflex Straw Locs were developed to work with either Aeroflex Pro-Shot Straws or the very common “little red straw” that is supplied with many aerosol penetrants products.
Q: Is the package blister reusable? I can snap it closed after opening it. Was it intended to be used in this way?
A: Yes, exactly. The package blister, the clear plastic part of the packaging, was designed to be a reusable storage case for your Aeroflex products. This way, instead of the items getting scattered around the inside of your tool box, they remain neat and organized. And they stay clean.
Q: I read in your instructions to clean off the end of the straws before using Aeroflex Straw Locs or Power-Grip Connectors. What is the reason for this?
A: Making sure the end of the straws are free of any oil, grime or dirt will increase the amount of “bite” the rubber connection has on the straws. The rubber the Straw Locs and Power-Grip Connectors are manufactured from is very tacky. And tight.
For optimum performance with any Aeroflex product always clean off the end of the straws.
Starting off with a clean surface will significantly maximize the “bite” of the rubber to plastic connection.
Q: Why are the Aeroflex Pro-Shot Straws orange and green instead of red?
A: Simply for identification. We chose the color orange for the .085 small diameter Pro-Shot Straws and and color green for the larger .110 diameter Pro-Shot Straws. This not only separates the two Aeroflex products from each other but quickly separates all Aeroflex Pro-Shot Straws from all the other “little red straws” that come taped to the side of aerosol penetrant products. When you see a orange or green straw you know immediately that it’s an Aeroflex Pro-Shot Straw!
Q: Can I use Aeroflex Power-Grip Connectors with the “little red straw” that came with my can of penetrant?
A: Absolutely! The orange .085 Aeroflex Power-Grip Connectors are designed to work with ninety percent of aerosol straws that come with aerosol penetrant products on the market today.
Q: I needed to shorten a straw to slide it between a pulley and a bracket. I used a pair of snips. Now the end of the straw is squished and frayed. How can I cut these straws so they’re clean?
A: It is best to use a brand new single edge razor blade or carpet knife type blade. Firmly, but not too hard or fast, press the blade down through the straw material. Do not “saw” it back and forth. Again, you want the blade to be new. This will eliminate any chance of fraying or distortion.
Using snips, dikes, wire cutters, any tool of this type, you run the risk of distorting the tip of the straw once cut. A new blade will leave a nice clean edge.
Q – Can Aeroflex products be used on other aerosol products like pesticides, spray paint and kitchen and bath cleaners?
A – Yes and No. Keep in mind that in order for the straws to function properly they must engage the tiny retaining orifice molded into the nozzles that are typically found on aerosol penetrant products.
Pesticides, spray paints and cleaners do not have this type nozzle. There is no orifice to hold the straw “in place” with these products.
A note regarding aerosol paint products. Paint is a viscous product. It’s thick, gummy properties are not suited for aerosol penetrant straws. Any paint product sprayed through a straw would clog the straw quickly once the air/fluid mixture stopped flowing. You’d have a mess on your hands.
There are a small amount of pesticides on the market that come with a straw built into the nozzle. Utilizing Aeroflex Pro-Shot Straws and Power-Grip Connectors you could link two or more straws together so that you could reach into areas that otherwise would not be possible.
Note: Pesticides are toxic, poisonous products that should never come in contact with your skin or eyes. Always use caution when using these products.