good way to mix M.M. and testors paints

[retired & glad]

I found a good way to mix a bottle of paint. I have used this for a number of years and it works good. I have a couple of tubes of Daisy BB's. I've had a Daisy BB gun for years and these BB's are the steel ones. When I would get a new bottle of paint, the first thing I would do is put 1 or 2 BB's in them and shake. It acts like a rattle can mixer and this is where I got the idea from. When the bottles of paint sit for a long time, they will have separation from the pigment and thinner. This just speeds up the mixing time and it does get the bottom of the jar mixed very good.

I guess model builders know this but I thought a new builder would like a little hint that works for me.

Richard

[Mike Chernecki]

I use one of the larger pea size shot for slingshots. I drop one in every bottle I buy, works great. 

[crazyjim]

I do the same as Mike.

[High octane]

I use a toothpick to stir my bottled paints, as with a BB you shake it and get paint all over the lid. When the paint dries on the lid, it makes it hard to open the bottle the next time.

[Miatatom]

When the paint dries on the lid, it makes it hard to open the bottle the next time.

Go get some Glad Press and Seal. Remove the cap and clean the lid and bottle top. Cut a small piece of the Press and Seal and cover the opening. Screw the cap back on. You'll never have a problem with stuck lids again.

[retired & glad]

Go get some Glad Press and Seal. Remove the cap and clean the lid and bottle top. Cut a small piece of the Press and Seal and cover the opening. Screw the cap back on. You'll never have a problem with stuck lids again.

I like that idea. Problem solved.

Richard

[crazyjim]

Do you have to replace the Glad Press every time you open the bottle?

[Harry Joy]

I put BBs in all of my Model Master jars several years ago. Thought I was quite brilliant. Then because of life and stuff I was unable to model for about two years. When I picked it up again, all the paint was grayish and ruined. That's how I found out you are only supposed to use certain BBs. Expensive mistake.

 

 

[Miatatom]

Do you have to replace the Glad Press every time you open the bottle?

Yes. Not a big deal though. I'm still on my first roll and have plenty more.

[Foxer]

  I have a bunch of small nuts I throw into paint jars.

[peteski]

Be careful when using steel BBs in water-based paints. They will rust, ruining the paint. Even some type of stainless steel will rust in certain paint formulas. I use glass beads used for jewelry making from an arts/crafts store (roughly the same size as BBs).  BTW, if you ever opened an empty spray paint can, those rattling things inside are actually glass marbles.

[retired & glad]

Be careful when using steel BBs in water-based paints. They will rust, ruining the paint. Even some type of stainless steel will rust in certain paint formulas. I use glass beads used for jewelry making from an arts/crafts store (roughly the same size as BBs).  BTW, if you ever opened an empty spray paint can, those rattling things inside are actually glass marbles.

All mine are used for enamels and so far never a problem. Good idea though and I'll change over to glass beads when I buy small bottles of paint. I am in the process of changing over from acrylic to lacquer paint anyway. I'll be decanting from rattle cans just for the airbrush. I tried decanting with drilling a hole in the top about 3 years ago and that was a disaster. Now I have set up the cans with glueing round styrene tubing into the nozzle and get just enough to airbrush the parts I am working on.

My building cars has lengthened in time since I am trying to make each new one better than the last.  Still not show quality but better than when I started years ago.

[peteski]

I tried decanting with drilling a hole in the top about 3 years ago and that was a disaster. Now I have set up the cans with glueing round styrene tubing into the nozzle and get just enough to airbrush the parts I am working on.

 

I decant paint using spray nozzles with a small tube (like the one in WD40).  Only after the can is empty (by leaving the nozzle open until all the propellant is gone) I use a pair of dikes to puncture a hole on the bottom of the side wall and drain the remaining paint. Then I again use a pair of dikes  to pry around the top cap which holds the valve. Next, I pull that cap off giving me full access to the interior of can. I then remove the marbles and the siphon tube. Both can be useful for hobbies.  Last thing is to put the completely drained and open can in recycling.