Fake Aerosol Spray

Today we're going to make a fake version of a toxic substance using toxic substances! Break out your spray paint and magic 77 spray because it's about to get crazy.

The Brumisateur

Sometimes in the props world, you are called upon to make fake sprays that need to be non-toxic and costume safe. In most cases you can grab any sort of atomizer and fill it with water, but what do you do when you need to get an aerosol look?

Behold the miracle of the Evian spray bottle!

According to its product site, Evian first introduced these cans of aerosol water in 1962. These cans were the perfect shape because they looked like a standard aerosol can. Unfortunately, they are a bit more stylized now, but on the plus side they sell 50ml, 150ml, 300ml and 400 ml sizes; all of which can easily be purchased on Amazon. For this demonstration, I went with the 150ml size.

The Pintrest Shot

Now you've got your can of actor-and-stage safe aerosol, but it looks weird, and probably needs to have writing on it that isn't pink and French, so on to the greeking process!
You've got two choices, either paint on a label or print something out. Neither is inherently better, as it entirely depends on what your end goal is. Our run asked for one can on stage, but we'd need replacements because it would be used heavily. It also had to look modern and realistic. After debating the merits of prepping every bottle and dealing with the curve shape, we decided to build a sleeve that so we would be able to replace the can, and give it a proper bug spray can shape. Theoretically, you could affix the label directly to the can either by printing on contact paper or using spray 77, so make your decision based on what you have on hand and what is appropriate for the prop.

Glued in place

We happened to have sonotube that was the right size in stock, but you could also try rolling thin cardboard and giving that a go. I cut the base plate out of illustration board and inset it inside the tube to both hold the can in at the right height and to recreate the recessed bottom that normal aerosol cans have. I sealed it in with hot glue because cutting perfect circles is hard, and there were some wonky gaps to fill.

Bottom, Post Spray

Once the sleeve is built you will want to add your colors. For the sleeve, hit "blank" areas, such as the bottom with an aluminum spray finish. Hit the top edge with spray or acrylic that matches your label color for consistencies sake. If for some reason your label doesn't fill the sleeve, make sure you also cover those areas.

Color-corrected cap and can, and label attached to sleeve

Now, you may or may not need to paint your can and cap in addition to your label/sleeve set up, but depending on what you want this is easily remedied by the proper application of spray paint.

While everything is drying, hit your label with finishing spray in order to protect it against potential moisture damage, and to decrease the obvious paper finish look. Once it and the rest of your pieces are dry, use spray 77 to attach it to your cardboard sleeve.

Pop your can in, adding a bit of Mortite or other holding compound on the inside edge to help keep in in place, and you've got yourself a fully functioning fake aerosol!

Prop Done!