Rust-Oleum Recalls 84,000 Cans of Spray Paint
Updated: Oct. 04, 2023
If you purchased one of the affected cans, you're eligible for a refund. Here's how to get it.
Whether you work in the construction industry or are just an avid yard worker, marking spray paint is an essential tool. Also known as “landscape paint,” the inverted cans make drawing lines on the ground super simple.
However, if you recently purchased a can of fluorescent paint, you might want to think twice before opening it. On September 28, the popular paint brand Rust-Oleum announced a recall for more than 84,000 spray paint cans. Here’s everything you need to know, including which products have been recalled, why and what to do if you purchased them.
Which Products Are Being Recalled
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, only one kind is affected: Rust-Oleum Professional Fluorescent Pink Inverted Marking Spray Paint. The cans are all 15 ounces with a bright pink plastic lid that matches the color of the paint.
On the bottom of the can, the affected paints will feature lot codes S34052 or S34054. The lot code depends on where the paint was sold. The number ending in -2 can be found on cans sold at Lowe’s, while the ones ending in -4 were sold by other retailers. Cans sold at Lowe’s will also have “water based formula” printed on the bottom.
From April through July 2023, the affected paint cans were sold in-store at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards and other hardware stores, as well as online at amazon.com, homedepot.com and Lowes.com. The cans each cost approximately $10.
Why is Rust-Oleum Pink Spray Paint Being Recalled?
The CPSC says it “received five reports of the spray valve assembly and plastic cap detaching with force, causing paint to splatter.” While the CPSC and Rust-Oleum website acknowledge the faulty spray valve poses “an impact injury hazard,” fortunately no injuries have been reported yet.
What To Do If You Have the Recalled Rust-Oleum Pink Spray Paint
Simple: Stop using it immediately and keep it out of reach of any curious children. Then take a photo of the product, including the lot and date codes on the bottom of the can.
To receive a full refund on the spray paint, send these photos, as well as your name and mailing address, to Rust-Oleum at [email protected]. You can also call Rust-Oleum at (800) 908-4050 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Monday through Friday.
Once you’ve taken the photos, it’s critical to dispose of the paint correctly. The CPSC recommends wrapping the can in a plastic bag, then disposing it “in accordance with the local requirements.”
Requirements differ by state, but full or partially full spray paint cans — especially those with faulty valves! — are considered hazardous waste. Therefore, you can’t throw them in your regular household trash or recycling. To be safe, contact your local municipality or waste management company to arrange a pick-up or drop-off.
