Don't You Dare!! -Throw those Model Master 1/2 Fl.Oz -14.7 Ml. sized bottles out!!
Hi;
Well, gotta say, this may be a Reminder that's Overdue or a Moot point. Either way, we'll get you some new bottles to use on your Bottom Feed Airbrush and for Just general paint mixing. And you won't have to go somewhere and buy ones like I ran across at H.L.( those Seal, lousy).
How many of you have Model Master colors-Acrylic or Regular Enamel that are scraping the bottom? A few I bet. Now, how would you like to save some bucks? I am sure we all want that. The fact is, by using a technique I have developed you can have a nice stash of these bottles and never buy them again!
I am specificially referring to the 1/2 Fl.Oz or for Metric (14.7ml) bottles. First. Make sure you have gotten as much of the remaining color out of the Bottle as you can. Good, Now take the little translucent Bulb device and fill it full of Lacquer thinner. Dirty or clean, makes no difference. Shake like it's going to be launched into orbit! Now let it sit for five minutes. Time is important here! Upside Down! If you put the top on tight it shouldn't leak!
Now while still full of liquid let's do the next thing. There is a very narrow seam in the label. Insert an X-acto #11 knife blade tip facing the top, under the edge of the label. Now carefully, with the cutting edge slightly facing the glass, remove the whole label. It will or should, come off almost in one complete piece. Throw away. Now the outside of the bottle will be sticky.
Sticky bottles get cleaned with a moist cloth soaked in Regular ODORLESS mineral spirits. There, you have on the outside a nice clean bottle. Here comes the next part. Open the bottle and dump the contents in an environmentally approved disposeable container. Do NOT dump in the Toilet or down the Drain, GOT IT !!
There will be stubborn paint particles left behind Remove these with a stick from the beauty store that is used to dress cuticles. It has a Point at one end and a Slanted other end. Stir the angled end around inside the bottle getting out those pesky sticker-ons.
Now up toward the top at the bottle's shoulder you may have stubborn paint. This is where the rag with the mineral spirits comes in. Push the moist rag down inside the bottle. Now take the cuticle stick in hand. Stick it in that cloth as far as you can and gently pull upward while rotating the rag. There, you should be clean inside for now.
Take that cuticle stick and dipping it in some clean Lacquer thinner, Only if necessary! Clean around the threads and edges in the glass. You want that bottle spotless!. Now the top. Same thing with the stick and thinner. Near the seal edge, there may be stubborn paint left behind from all the times you didn't clean the top and edges before sealing till the next time.
Carefully run the pointed end around the edge feeling every bump from the Embossed finger grip shaped into the lid. When You wipe afterwards, the rag should remain clean. Now to finish. Run water in the kitchen sink, or laundry sink and get it hot. One small drop of dawn in the bottom. Now gently fill the bottle til you are at the Bottom of the widest part of the shoulder. Put the lid on tight and shake like you are making a Mojito or Margarita!
Now you can pour that down the drain. Rinse, with extremely Hot water, both the top, inside and outside as well as the bottle. let air dry on the top of a piece of screen or metal grid that will let air into the upside down bottle and correct side up lid.
Okay , Outside, check for any stray paint particles and pop them off with a knife tip or your fingernails. Same for the inside of the lid and bottle. Didja do a good job? Wonderful ! There you have it, an unending for now, supply, of mixing or airbrush ready bottles, that you Already Paid for! Model On !!