Paint mixing

[KarlW]

I stopped mixing in the AB cup after lifting the wrong thinner, x-20a wil curdle lacquers......
And yes I've melted a plastic shot glass, but with Mr Tool Cleaner which is very hot.

[langy71]

Luckily i work for a Scientific equipment supply company, and was given a 'tray' containing 500 20ml glass vials with plastic caps...(they were old stock and destined for glass recycling)..these are perfect for mixing small (20ml) amounts of paint and thinner ready for airbrushing in, and the 'bonus' is that the caps make a airtight seal so the paint stays good for a few weeks afterwards, just a quick shake and I'm good to go again..

likkle vials

[Tim Marlow]

Luckily i work for a Scientific equipment supply company, and was given a 'tray' containing 500 20ml glass vials with plastic caps...(they were old stock and destined for glass recycling)..these are perfect for mixing small (20ml) amounts of paint and thinner ready for airbrushing in, and the 'bonus' is that the caps make a airtight seal so the paint stays good for a few weeks afterwards, just a quick shake and I'm good to go again..

likkle vials

Radiometer pH buffer pots are good if you can source them Chris. Polythene, graduated, and virtually bulletproof!

[JR]

Like Bob, plastic shot container, after use wash out and reuse !

[David Lovell]

Bill this is the biggest minefield your likely to walk in to I hope you like cans with worms in. I could reply to a few of the thoughts here but would be seen as argumentative. Some of the simplest advice I can give you is to search about see if there's a modeling club near you ,it opened up my world over night to be able to talk with people face to face all of them willing to share ,some of the lads at the club make a round trip of around a hundred miles once a month for a three and a half hour meeting. Rare things now but have you got a local hobby shop great places to meet other modelers and ask questions ,all the lads here are great and do all they can via the keyboard but its not the same as one to one. The only other thing dont compare your own work to what you see in books and magazines these bloke's are at the top of this game ive learnt not to try and be as good but take inspiration from their work as long as my next build is as good or better than the last then job done.
Air brushing isn't the mystical beast its made out to be ,get a old cupboard queen and practice on it it doesn't matter what goes wrong, once you've mastered correct thinning and air pressure your off you've solved it.
I use a 02 needle for all my work a 03 for varnish and primer I only use acrylic paints ive got 0.2 sub twenty five quid airbrushes I use as much as my hundred pound plus ones ,now I'll be argumentative there's only one brand I won't entertain and thats because (in my opinion) its that bad you need to buy there flow improver retarder surely that's flagged up a warning ,but before they go on the war path its a popular product and has many happy deciples.
Bill lock your self away for a few hours experiment and practice your be surprised how quickly things will drop in to place honest. Dave

[banjer]

Bill this is the biggest minefield your likely to walk in to I hope you like cans with worms in. I could reply to a few of the thoughts here but would be seen as argumentative. Some of the simplest advice I can give you is to search about see if there's a modeling club near you ,it opened up my world over night to be able to talk with people face to face all of them willing to share ,some of the lads at the club make a round trip of around a hundred miles once a month for a three and a half hour meeting. Dave

Hi Dave,
Funny you should mention local clubs, I went to one last week and spent 3 hours being blanked. Felt about as popular as a pork pie in a synagogue. Whenever I have belonged to clubs in the past, for instance a wood carving club I belonged to, I went out of my way to introduce myself to new folk and tried to make them feel welcome. Never seen such a load of miserable self centred sods in a long time. Sorry bit of a rant off topic but nice to get it off my chest. Thanks for the air brushing tips, however, very useful.

Bill

[KarlW]

Hi Dave,
Funny you should mention local clubs, I went to one last week and spent 3 hours being blanked. Felt about as popular as a pork pie in a synagogue. Whenever I have belonged to clubs in the past, for instance a wood carving club I belonged to, I went out of my way to introduce myself to new folk and tried to make them feel welcome. Never seen such a load of miserable self centred sods in a long time. Sorry bit of a rant off topic but nice to get it off my chest. Thanks for the air brushing tips, however, very useful.

Bill

Unfortunately some clubs can be cliques rather than clubs, goes for all types of clubs.
These are usually the clubs that members are bemoaning, "The hobby is dying, there's no new blood!"

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Dave,
Funny you should mention local clubs, I went to one last week and spent 3 hours being blanked. Felt about as popular as a pork pie in a synagogue. Whenever I have belonged to clubs in the past, for instance a wood carving club I belonged to, I went out of my way to introduce myself to new folk and tried to make them feel welcome. Never seen such a load of miserable self centred sods in a long time. Sorry bit of a rant off topic but nice to get it off my chest. Thanks for the air brushing tips, however, very useful.

Bill

I’ve come across that at both model shows and wargames clubs. At one show I asked someone how they did something and got the (deadly serious) reply…..if I told bloody everyone they’d all know how to do it…..
I also saw a poll on a game site that asked what people least liked about gaming clubs….the most frequent answer was “wargamers”…..
It’s an attitude I simply don’t understand, but like all hobbies, this one has its share of arses….

[David Lovell]

Hi Dave,
Funny you should mention local clubs, I went to one last week and spent 3 hours being blanked. Felt about as popular as a pork pie in a synagogue. Whenever I have belonged to clubs in the past, for instance a wood carving club I belonged to, I went out of my way to introduce myself to new folk and tried to make them feel welcome. Never seen such a load of miserable self centred sods in a long time. Sorry bit of a rant off topic but nice to get it off my chest. Thanks for the air brushing tips, however, very useful.

Bill

I'm sorry you were treated like that perhaps I've been lucky bugger em they don't deserve you then ,as Karl and Tim said these people wonder why the hobbies dying ,but I wish you well with your endeavors and were all here to help each other so like most of us if this was a pub its where I'd drink. Dave

[AlanG]

Back to the topic please guys

[Guest]

I always mix in an external container, as long as it’s clean. Preferably small enough that you don’t leave half the paint up the side of the container when pouring it. If you have to mix it in your airbrush then put your thinner in first, then the paint. Same goes for the container - pour the thinner in first. It lessens paint sticking to the sides of the container.

[Modler bob]

I buy takeaway sauce pots from Amazon. £5 for 100 or something. Sealable lids so the mix lasts if spraying over time.

TIJAR® Sauce Containers with Lid... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BPMKCW...p_mob_ap_share

Can you stir OK in them jack?
I saw a youtube vid of tubs like these (sorry didn't copy it) and the guy said when he stirred the paint the stirrer made a clicking sound and s[plashed the paint around.
There were small protrusions around the edges that his Stirring stick got caught on

[Jack L]

Can you stir OK in them jack?
I saw a youtube vid of tubs like these (sorry didn't copy it) and the guy said when he stirred the paint the stirrer made a clicking sound and s[plashed the paint around.
There were small protrusions around the edges that his Stirring stick got caught on

There are some faint mouldings on the bottom, kite marks etc, but I think you would have to be pretty picky to be bothered about those. They really are minimal and definitely don’t catch a stirring rod.