This is a primer on how to make 1/4" thick lines with a spray can. I invented this little device back in '86, and have been making my Skinny Caps the same way ever since.
People have been asking me for years to write this how-to. After more than 22 years, I finally listened.
Click here to download a PDF of this tutorial.
Plastic top of spray can
Fresh X-acto blade
1. Cut and remove the outer cup. You want to carefully cut down to the inner cup.
2. Cut away most of the top portion. Keep a part of the top, and form a crescent shape, like so. This will be a spray guard that prevents paint from splashing up and over the front. I make it curved so it fits my finger a little better.
3. Fit the tip you will use to the can. In this example I'm using a Phantom Cap (New York outline cap). Twist it in and spray once. This will set the nozzle at exactly the right position.
4. Line up the X-acto blade parallel with the top metal ring of the can. Position the blade about one blade thickness below the hole in the nozzle. With my left hand I am positioning the cap at the exact height from the top of the can as if it were positioned on the can. Hold the cap straight.
5. Push the blade into the plastic and spin the blade. Make the hole small. Clear away any plastic that is obstructing the hole, or hanging from it. Make the hole as perfectly round and smooth as you can.
6. Voila!
7. Fit the Skinny Cap on the can like so. Align the top of the nozzle with the hole. I like this tip because the arrow makes alignment simple.
8. Here I am making a second hole for a Montana can with a grey outline cap. This cap is shorter than the Phantom Cap so I need to make the hole lower than the first one.
9. And there you have it!
10. Here is the difference between the line from the Skinny Cap and the grey cap.
Click here to download a PDF of this tutorial.
