rattle cans and decanting...

I've seen various attempts at decanting, and it strikes me as odd that they are all such [dinkywongo] jerry-rig lash-ups. (And yes, I'm including Brett Green's Saran Wrap, soda straw, and Blu-Tack construction.)

Is it just me, or does it seem that there's crying need wanting to be filled?

In a world where there are devices specifically for holding detachable straws that insert into the spray nozzles (Brownells' Hold-It Nozzle Holder), various and sundry spray can holders to keep the nozzle depressed (to save graffiti artists from hand cramps), and who-knows-what, isn't it nuts that there isn't a standardized (or readily adaptable) leak-proof decanter available at my local artist's supply?

There's a video on the Testors site where Brett Green demonstrates his technique for decanting using the soda straw method. Worth a look if you're considering doing that.

www.scaleworkshop.com

mike

I use a 35MM film canister with a hole in the lid to fit a straw and use the straw to fit on the nozzle. I have a Taymia nozzle that fits perfectly, it has a protruding tip and does not let any paint slip by the straw. Let the paint degas or you will be cleaing up a mess when you go to pour it out. Don't ask how I know.

Alright Don! I was working up the courage to try just that trick , it seems to me if there is no propellant there is no pressure.

Some consider my method a bit dangerous, but it seems to work for me. I hold the can upside down and spray for awhile to either rid it of propellent or at least cool it down. I then use a scratch awl to poke a little hole in the can. I let it sit for ten minutes or so, to let all the propellent boil off (hole near top). I then punch another hole, which I enlarge to about 3/16 inch, on other side of can. I pour through the second hole, the first acts as a vent.

i'm surprised no one's come up with a gadget to do this yet!!

i've seen various attempts using straws and other gizmos that never worked really well. in the end, i just spray into a container, watching out of the back-blast and the noxious gases. i basically spray a flat surface that lets the gas escape, while the paint pools on it and drips down into a container.

I tape a straw to the nozzle of the can and spray into a jar. Let the paint set overnight to degas. I usually have to thin the paint but some people don't.

Tony

There are a lot of sophisticated methods and all relatively simple.  My method is at the very simple end of the range.  I take a SOLO (disposable) cup and spray into it.  I wear a rubber glove on the hand holding the cup.  I cup that hand over the cup and spray through the gap between my thumb and index finger.  I spray it right out of the nozzle, no tubes.   It creates a dome and holds in a lot of the overspray.  It is not all that messy and it is really quick.  The paint accumulates in the bottom of the cup, where you can give it a bit of a swirl to make sure all the propellant gets out of the paint.  At that point I pour it into a suitable container for airbrush use.  It is ready to airbrush right away.   Then you can just throw away the cup and glove.   I've had very good luck with this method.  It isolates the mess away from your airbrush and the containers that go with it.   Rick.