Thinned paint storage

[dwh]

When paint has been thinned for airbrushing, what do you do with any excess thats left?.

Do you store it for later use or bin it.

[andym]

Bin it, especially enamel paint, although I sometimes keep acrylics but only for a few days.

HTH

Andy

[old thumper]

Bin thinned enamel paint, it sort of loses its colour after being thinned, I haven't a clue why though. If you have had to mix your own special colour up, then keep it unthinned in an old paint tin or something similar.

[dwh]

Thanks for the replies gents, that answers my query

Derek

[Winenut]

I might be doing something wrong but I normally tipped the tiny bit of thinned paint back into the original tin.

Kept my original tin a bit more fluid and no waste.

But if that does something bad please let me know!!!!

[dwh]

I might be doing something wrong but I normally tipped the tiny bit of thinned paint back into the original tin.

Kept my original tin a bit more fluid and no waste.

But if that does something bad please let me know!!!!

The only thing I can think about doing this is that you are gradually thinning out your paint in the tin, and eventually would have implications on paint mixing ratio's.

[SaintsPhil]

I might be doing something wrong but I normally tipped the tiny bit of thinned paint back into the original tin.

Kept my original tin a bit more fluid and no waste.

But if that does something bad please let me know!!!!

I do exactly the same thing and have never had an issue, that's with acrylics or solvent based paints (mr color).

[jenko]

I use xtra colour enamel. Thin in the tin. Return excess to the tin. Never have a problem. Same with acrylic.

[Graham Boak]

Humbrol enamels used to go solid in the tin if you tipped any thinners into it. Whether this is only true for earlier chemical mixes, or with the use of white spirit, I can't say and have no desire to experiment. The working rule was always do any mixing out of the tin, and don't tip anything back. Stick to that and you just can't go wrong.

[Caerbannog]

Humbrol enamels used to go solid in the tin if you tipped any thinners into it. Whether this is only true for earlier chemical mixes, or with the use of white spirit, I can't say and have no desire to experiment. The working rule was always do any mixing out of the tin, and don't tip anything back. Stick to that and you just can't go wrong.

I experienced the same with some Humbrol paints. I thought it was by using not original Humbrol thinner but I am not sure. Now I only use those thinners which are from the same maufacturer as the paint I thin - at least as long as I have to thin the paint in the tin to prevent it from becoming too thick over time.

But I too do not return paint which was thinned for spraying into the tin.

Rene