Clifton Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Hi, everyone. I’ve just tried to use some Colourcoats Light Aircraft Grey on the underside of a Matchbox Jaguar, and I’m having some issues with it. Some areas have come out almost flat, and some are glossy. The glossy areas are also a bit sticky. Also, I’m having problems with the paint leveling—it basically isn’t. I should point out that I’m brush painting with it. I thought I stirred it and shook it enough, but maybe I need to do it more? Or does it need a little bit of thinner? I realize each paint is different, and I’m trying to figure this one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Hi Clifton, A good rule of thumb is that you cannot stir the paint too much; there are dedicated paint stirrers available - Badger make one, for instance - but I use one of those battery-operated coffee frothers from IKEA (I got two for £5 from ebay but I'm sure there is some equally cheap US equivalent) and I do recommend that or something like it because there is a lot of pigment in the paint. The uneven finish you describe does sound like it could have done with more stirring. I usually airbrush it, but I have on many occasions brush-painted, I usually thin it about 50% and aim to do two or three thin coats as required rather than trying to do it in one. HTH, Cheers, Stew 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Sounds like it wasn't stirred enough. Stir it until your arm hurts then give it another 5 minutes Duncan B 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasermonkey Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Many years ago, back when I was a laser engineer, we had issues with an optical-grade epoxy adhesive which wasn't curing properly. Their sales engineer gave us some advice-once you think you have mixed it sufficiently, do that all over again. Having since applied that advice to model paints, I've not once had an issue with inconsistent finishes. I also use a modified IKEA battery operated coffee stirrer, passed through an old Humbrol lid that has had a small hole drilled in it. Knowing what I'm like, it helps prevent paint from going all over the place. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Thanks for all of the input! I’ve seen a couple of different paint stirrers and shakers on the internet, so I guess I’ll have a look at them and see what I can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombat Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Mine is a coffee frother chosen for having a detachable shaft. This slots through a drilled old tin lid which is a reasonably good seal on the paint tinto minimise spillage. note use of the words “reasonably good seal” and “minimise”....a tightly pressed rag is a necessary precaution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckw Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 While a coffee frother or similar will work, a dedicated paint stirrer designed for the purpose is perhaps a better idea for not much more money. I use a Trumpter one, and can dip it into a full tin of Colourcoats and stir away with no splashers or spills - though of course that hasn't stopped me knocking the tin over on occassion! Dedicated stirrers all seem to use a sort of scalloped flat disk which seems to mix the paint without sending it everywhere. Cheers Colin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I have seen a paint mixer that vibrates the containers which might be a safer bet for me as I'd be bound to spill open paint bottles. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Would an ultrasonic cleaner work? Dare I try it myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Kesterton Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 re: Paint mixers. I am learning how to use Vallejo acrylic paint - and found a cheap second hand lab mixer/agitator - called a vortex shaker. You keep the lid closed and it shakes the paint bottle. The one I managed to find works well with the Vallejo/Mig "dropper" bottles and is a very quick and easy way to get a really good mix. I think this might be the sort of thing @Duncan B was referring to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I'd highly recommend just investing in one of these and never worry about adequacy of paint mixing ever again. For the chronically lazy and short of free time, these things are vital 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I have one of these, or something very similar, and can confirm that they do not spray paint everywhere. Or at least mine didn't - if only I could recall where I put in in the great loft re-arrangements... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 6 hours ago, Graham Boak said: I have one of these, or something very similar, and can confirm that they do not spray paint everywhere. Or at least mine didn't - if only I could recall where I put in in the great loft re-arrangements... Providing the switch is in the Off position when entering or leaving the paint. Isn't that so @Stew Dapple? 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 For the NOT chronically lazy, Tamiya makes nifty stainless steel paint stirring sticks. I stir paint until I'm convinced it's homogenized. Usually just a few seconds, but sometimes up to a minute or so... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 18 minutes ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said: Providing the switch is in the Off position when entering or leaving the paint. Isn't that so @Stew Dapple Oy! That was a trade secret! Cheers, Stew 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnerboy Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I found a pack of 3 battery powered nail buffing thingies in some cheap old shop for I think about a fiver, a bit like mini, low torque Dremmels. rammed a bit of copper 4mm cable in the end, shaped other end and bobs yer Aunty three stirrers for not a lot. If I hadn't done the above I probably would have got a nail varnish shaker from Amazon or fleabay, about £25 I think. happy stirring 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I'm with Jamie, I use a battery powered Badger stirrer, it's a must. Cheers Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laidlaw Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Stew Dapple said: Oy! That was a trade secret! Not any more 😉. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scimitar F1 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 For paint stirrers I would suggest going onto ebay and buying some small stainless steel ball bearings and a nail varnish shaker. Open lid, drop in ball bearing, close lid and attach to shaker. From standing for 35 years totally separated enamel to perfectly mixed ready to go in 5 mins 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 The Badger thing looks interesting but will only work on tins or Tamiya type pots. I used all sorts of different Brands of paint so need to be able to mix Alclad style bottles, dropper bottles and the rest as well so the shaker would be my go to (if I wasn't a cheapskate/didn't have arms). Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 34 minutes ago, Duncan B said: The Badger thing looks interesting but will only work on tins or Tamiya type pots. I used all sorts of different Brands of paint so need to be able to mix Alclad style bottles, dropper bottles and the rest as well so the shaker would be my go to (if I wasn't a cheapskate/didn't have arms). Duncan B It fits in the neck of an Alclad bottle. The Alclad plastic bottles for the clearcoats need the dropper to popped out obviously but it does work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 13 hours ago, Scimitar F1 said: For paint stirrers I would suggest going onto ebay and buying some small stainless steel ball bearings and a nail varnish shaker. Open lid, drop in ball bearing, close lid and attach to shaker. From standing for 35 years totally separated enamel to perfectly mixed ready to go in 5 mins OK, I'm sold… Except how do you make sure the top of the tin doesn't fly off and… The ones I've seen have an 'L' shaped platform and straps - can you strap a tin in 'top side up'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scimitar F1 Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 4 hours ago, CedB said: OK, I'm sold… Except how do you make sure the top of the tin doesn't fly off and… The ones I've seen have an 'L' shaped platform and straps - can you strap a tin in 'top side up'? This concerned me at first but have not had one come off yet and some I felt were marginal. for those I either cleaned the lid so that they did close or used tape to secure in place. some of the paint I have been using was last used in 1985. Cannot believe how messy I was then! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Thanks Scimitar - ordered! I have one of the badger stirrers but as others have said it won't fit all bottles (like Model Air) and there's some wastage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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