Paint Decanting

Cadet Chuck

Next time you go to Wendy's, grab a handful of those little plastic cups they use for ketchup.  Just perfect for mixing paint, cleaning brushes, etc, and I'm sure nobody there cares if you help yourself to a few extras.

You know, you always run out at the wrong time and there is no one to drive you to the Wendys that is across town

Instead of getting the stinkeye from the Wendy's counter-babe when you stuff your pockets with their ketchup cups - check whats available online

Here's a package of 100, with lids for less than 10 bucks.  Free shipping w/ Prime.  

I use 1 oz cups often to measure small quantities of RTV & resin

Also, check to see what your local restaurant supply store has in stock    Shop local if you can 

Next time you go to Wendy's, grab a handful of those little plastic cups they use for ketchup.  Just perfect for mixing paint, cleaning brushes, etc, and I'm sure nobody there cares if you help yourself to a few extras.

Thanks for the tips. I did get a bag of disposable pipettes to use to suck the paint up from the bottle without spilling it. I've seen some plastic sheets with dimples at Micro Mark that look good for mixing small batches. I'm still waiting for the correct paint thinner so I just brushed the interior sidewalls and it came out OK. Still want to airbrush the outside though.

I use little paper cups taht are maybe 2 ounces or so. Then toss them out

Thanks for the tips. I did get a bag of disposable pipettes to use to suck the paint up from the bottle without spilling it. I've seen some plastic sheets with dimples at Micro Mark that look good for mixing small batches. I'm still waiting for the correct paint thinner so I just brushed the interior sidewalls and it came out OK. Still want to airbrush the outside though.

Sure, you can mix it right in the bowl, but with that small a quantity, it'll most likely run up into the paint channel and you won't see any in the bowl to mix. In this case, you'd cover the nozzle/tip as you would if you were backflushing the brush and let the air going back into the bowl do the mixing for you.

Personally, I mix mine in a little metal measuring spoon to ensure it's thoroughly mixed and there are no particulates etc. which might clog the brush. You can usually buy sets of these from the dollar store type places for a buck or two.

Just a suggestion, but if you estimate you're only going to need 2 drops of paint, mix 4. For such a small quantity, having a little extra is better than not having enough and having to mix more. If you mix just enough, the airbrush gods will mock you and do their best to make things as difficult and frustrating as possible for you and you will end up having to mix more.