Hello friends,

I'm having a bit problem mixing acrylic paint. I have been using Testors Model Master because they are the only ones I've found that use the RLM numbers, which makes it easy for a newbie like me to get the right color when I'm doing Luftwaffe stuff. The problem is these paints settle more than the others, and shaking them gets old fast.

Suggestions?

-Derek

I stir my paints up with a toothpick and it seems to get em mixed up good quicker than shaking i almost prefer stiring over shaken them.

Mixing paints is just part of modeling or painting.

Hope help

A.J.

I know shaking is a pain in the sit ons but i find it better if you drop a couple of AA size fishing weights in the jar of paint - seems to move the pigment about better - and it makes a cool noise !!

Andy

Gotta stir and stir a lot. Try stiring first to loosen it up, then shake it

Derek,
I use a cordless mixer from Micromark.com. It will throughly mix settled paint in seconds. I keep compatible solvent in a flip top bottle to clean the blade. Best money I ever spent for mixing. Cost about $11.00 plus shipping. You can see it at:
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=80975

Don

I packed all mine (upside down) into a Quart or Gallon can and took them to my Local "Home Improvement Warehouse" and asked them to shake it. Just be sure they're packed tightly.... put in a bit of Bubblewrap and you're good to go.

I use old paint brushes to stir or loosen pigment on the bottom a tooth pick would snap. I also have one of thoose hobby paint shakers but the pigment has to be loose on the bottom. I put 2 BBs into the paint to help break up lumps. I have also made a stirring end out of sturdy brass rod and chucked it into my Dremel and stirred on slow speed, but if your not careful that can be quite messy.

Tom

You cant beat the robart paint shaker, maybe a little pricey, but once you have it you'll be glad you did.

Hi Guys,

I can not agree with Don more! My mixer is the best painting tool since paint itself! You will not be sorry for buying one. I give these as gifts to modelers for birthdays and Christmas.

I tried Badger's version but don't like it as well. MicroMark's has a pushbutton on their's. Badger's has a slide switch, which I find cumbersome. Otherwise, it works just as well.

Hi Derek,
I've thought about those paint mixers from Micro-Mark but couldn't make myself shell out $10.00 for one. then one evening I was walking through one of those Dollar Stores (can't remember which chain it was) and saw the same thing being sold as a drink mixer/frother. The only real difference was the end of the mixing blade. this one had the end bent into a circle and was inserted into a spring. The diameter was a little big for some paint bottles but it would be easy to make a new one.
Look around, especially in the kitchen area of the stores and you should be able to find one eventually. Even if you decide you want to spring for the hobby version, you've only spent a buck :-)
Craig

The mixers are the way to go, i have two and one of Robarts shakers also. Stay away from BB's or weights or anything in the jars. Several reasons (all from bad experiences) BBs if not plated will rust in acrylic paints and throw off the tint, also if there is the slightest defect in the jar you WILL break the jar and wear what you are shaking. Been there, done that, and both SUCK bigtime.

I got one too, works like a top It was under 20 bucks for the cordless, I figured it would take up less space with no cord and if the worktop is cluttered I can simply do it anywhere. The batteries have lasted quite a while anyway...

I use a "T" section of old spue shaved the sides to look a little like a fan and place it in my dremel tool. Works like a champ and didn't cost me anything.

Just make sure you only use the slowest speed when mixing. :-)

I got one for you guys

Some years ago I was invited to a party and found out that the host was a model railroader. As I walked thru his workshop I noticed several bottles of paint on two rollers that were about three feet long with a small DC motor attached to one end. It was exactly like the thing that cooks hot dogs at the ballpark. He explained that when he starts a project all the paint that will be needed is given a quick stir and placed on this machine. The machine is turned on and stays on till the project is finished. He stated that while he was working on a project he never had to stir paint just use it and place it back on the machine.

He deigned and built it himself out of wooden dowels, R/C car wheel bearings and a DC motor from one of his old locomotives.

Matt you crack me up!! Ingenius idea!!

I've never thought of this a need. I use a cotton swab to stir my paints, I keep it and reuse it untill it breaks. A dollar buys a whole bunch, and if you get the ones with the plastic "stick" they last a long time...

I guess this is one of those items you get and never regret you bought. I'm not quite there though...

After reading so many positive remarks on those fancy battery paint stirrers I busted down and spung for the 10 bucks. Works great, wonder why I never pickled one up earlier. Even mixed up some 20 year old Humbrols without a problem, and only took a minute or two. To be honest, I did have to use a little screw driver to first dig up the pigments from around the bottom of the tin, but then the mixer did the hard part in no time at all.

Like Don, Fred, and Dave, I have one of the battery operated mixers. Mine came from Micro Mark years ago and it is the "stuff!!" And, like Dave, I'm still using it to mix up my really old Humbrol paints!! I use a lot of the MM paints and same thing goes....a quick mix. Price has gone way up since, but even at $10 or $11 it's worth it. Get one, you won't regret it at all!

Mike