Which is better for transfering paint from bottle to mixing bowl

For fine measurement, I use a glass pipette and count the drops (since I tint by percentage).

For simple pouring, I put the lip of the bottle against an old double-action airbrush needle that I had dropped and bent the tip.  The liquid runs down the needle into the container.  Glass rod, solid wire or a thin straw would also work.  Don't use sprue with lacquer or hot solvents.

Bruce

Bgrigg wrote:

Since I'm not overly concerned with complete accuracy and consistancy, I use a soda straw. I trim the straw to about 3", place one end in the paint, hold my finger over the other end and let the vacuum created when I lift the straw out of the paint carry the paint to the container I'm using. Very little paint is left in the straw and cleanup is a snap since I usually just throw out the straw! I use cheapo pipettes for transferring thinners and cleaners since I'm not concerned about needing to clean them up.

I always use a syringe, but again Its hard to clean

the straw idea is great

Gigatron wrote:

The only option I won't try (again) is pouring straight from the bottle.  That has led to nothing less than complete disasters in the past.  For those that can pull it off without a problem, more power to ya, 'cause I can't.

Have you tried a funnel?
I bought a little one meant for spices and it works for me.
I know roughly how much paint to fill in my little mixing bottle and about how much thinner.
If I have to  make any adjustments from there, I add drops with a glass eye dropper.

So now you have a 101

Bgrigg wrote:

Now if he had used it for cleaning his ears...

After he stirred the paint?

Gigatron wrote:

Bgrigg wrote: Nitpick: Actually that's reusing! Recycling is breaking it down and making it into something else. Nitpicking nitpick:  It's actually repurposing.  He using the tool for another purpose than which it was designed.  It's only reusing if he was originally using said spoon to previously stir his coffee (and hopefully not the other way around).   -Fred

LOL I almost edited the post to say repurposing, but chose to leave it as I feel that reusing is closer in definition. He is using it to stir, which is a function of a spoon. Also, the three Rs are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, not Repurpose. Now if he had used it for cleaning his ears...

Bgrigg wrote:

Nitpick: Actually that's reusing! Recycling is breaking it down and making it into something else.

Nitpicking nitpick:  It's actually repurposing.  He using the tool for another purpose than which it was designed.  It's only reusing if he was originally using said spoon to previously stir his coffee (and hopefully not the other way around).

-Fred

Whenever I go to my local MacDonalds, I bring back the plastic stirring sticks that has a small spoon at the end. I can stir the paint in the bottle and transfer it to the airbrush cup. Adding the thinner is then guess work but so far it has worked for me. Talk about recycling.

gburdon wrote:

Bgrigg wrote: Since I'm not overly concerned with complete accuracy and consistancy, I use a soda straw. I trim the straw to about 3", place one end in the paint, hold my finger over the other end and let the vacuum created when I lift the straw out of the paint carry the paint to the container I'm using. Very little paint is left in the straw and cleanup is a snap since I usually just throw out the straw! I use cheapo pipettes for transferring thinners and cleaners since I'm not concerned about needing to clean them up. Bill; I completely forgot about the straw method. Cheers;  Gregory

That "sucks"!

Bgrigg wrote:

Since I'm not overly concerned with complete accuracy and consistancy, I use a soda straw. I trim the straw to about 3", place one end in the paint, hold my finger over the other end and let the vacuum created when I lift the straw out of the paint carry the paint to the container I'm using. Very little paint is left in the straw and cleanup is a snap since I usually just throw out the straw! I use cheapo pipettes for transferring thinners and cleaners since I'm not concerned about needing to clean them up.

Bill;

I completely forgot about the straw method.

Cheers;

Gregory

I guess the old saying is still true; ask a hundred people a question and you'll get a hundred different answers

The only option I won't try (again) is pouring straight from the bottle.  That has led to nothing less than complete disasters in the past.  For those that can pull it off without a problem, more power to ya, 'cause I can't.

Anyway, I'm still on the fence, so I'm open to any and all suggestions, so feel free to share the ideas.

-Fred

I used to use syringe but I've been tired of cleaning it.

Now I use ............. nothing.  I simply drop the paint in the mixing cup from the bottle and carefully sweep the paint from the edge of the bottle before puting the lid back on.  I eyeball the mix and keep the "milk consistency" rule in mind.  Quicker and cheaper.

Fred;

I have used various tools over the years to move paint from one place to another. I find the cheapest are pipettes that my local hobby shop stocks. It's a plastic bulb with a tube below that draws the paint into it when squeezed. You can find them under the TESTORS logo.

Now if I were to choose between the two items you have suggested. I would actually use both. The syringe for "measuring" paint and transferring and the eye dropper for clean up. It saves a bit of time in between colours to have two tools in use and only have to clean one out when done.

Maybe not exactly the answer you were after. Just my opinion.

Cheers;

Gregory