Paint Storage

Aint science great Don,

tried a few experiments myself over time but never a rubber pad, I have to wonder if there is a point when the volume of air trapped in the bottle is more than the paint volume left it's in trouble no matter how good the seal is. Touch wood I rarely loose a paint but it's normally pretty low when I do and I'm obsessed with being clean.

Keep in mind that if you have to buy more paint you have to go to a model shop to get it if you follow my drift here Don 

Mick.

Good point about the low paint, Mick.

Don

My method of sealing paint up is to use a piece of Press N Seal. I think Glad makes it. Clean the rim of the jar with lacquer thinner, wipe it dry with a paper towel and use a piece of Press N Seal large enough to cover the opening. Screw the lid on and it's sealed up.

However, that won't keep the paint from evaporating. If there's any air in the jar, it'll cause the paint to dry up. The only way to reduce the amount that's evaporated is to fill the container as full to the top as possible with paint. IOW, don't leave any space in the container for air. Obviously, that's not always possible. If you can figure a way to vacuum seal the container, then you might slow the evaporation rate. Once paint is opened, it's going to evaporate.

I used to keep MM enamel bottles upside down to seal out the air.  It generally works for a while then it stills turns to gum.   Humbrol cans  are all sealed with tin foil and that works for a while then they turn to sludge.

Interestingly I've never had a problem with Tamiya acrylics.  The clear paint base rises above the paint and keeps it fresh.  Anyone with Tamiya on the shelf can look and see this.

 

Models are so expensive these days it's no wonder there are no kids getting involved.

I've resigned myself to the fact that a new model means a budget for new paint.   The new AK Extreme metals are almost $10 for 30ML  ...thats about $1300. dollars a gallon, and I thought Sherwin Williams was expensive.

 

There is no silver bullet here for saving model paint.   All we can hope to do is prolong the inevitible.

Miatatom

However, that won't keep the paint from evaporating. If there's any air in the jar, it'll cause the paint to dry up. The only way to reduce the amount that's evaporated is to fill the container as full to the top as possible with paint. IOW, don't leave any space in the container for air. Obviously, that's not always possible. If you can figure a way to vacuum seal the container, then you might slow the evaporation rate. Once paint is opened, it's going to evaporate.

 

Just found some Testors I have that's marked 19 cents that is still good! I don't know if it's the bit of air trapped in the bottle is as much an issue as air changes. I've stored house paints for years upside down and they are fine. Maybe the experimenters can try dipping the top of the jar in melted wax and see how that seals.