Syringes for mixing paint?

I also raided a discarded paint-by-numbers set of it's paint cups, which are polyvinyl and have lids... I just cleaned the old, dried-up paint out of 'em...

That's a good idea! I've seen some really cheap acrylic sets that have similar cups too. Sometimes you find them in markdown sales. 

I'm the same way as you are, DMK... I use the pipettes for mixing my colors consistantly.  I never try to match up colors with the real deal, since the 1:1 paint isn't the right color for a scaled-down model.. scale down the object, ya gotta scale down the shade of paint.  But I do keep track of the mixes so I can reproduce an earlier batch of mixed color, be it for touching-up, or for doing another kit in the same color.  I keep my mixes on a card-file, so I can reproduce a color I made a month ago...  Some just can't be gotten "out of the bottle", and also, some paints dry a darker or lighter shade then they appear when wet, so eye-ballin' ain't a good idea, so I gotta make 'em and use the pipettes to measure... I don't know what they'd be called, but there's certain shades of green and green drabs that I used to be able to get from Practa 'Namel, but those paints went the way of Dodo many years ago, so mixing them is my only alternative...

I haven't found a replacement container that is as cheap, disposable, sealable and convenient.

Regarding that last, go wherever they sell art and artist's supplies in your area.  There's a number of brands of plastic mixing cup that will hold a 1/2 ounce or so, are clear, and have lids... I found mine at Hobby Lobby in the art department alongside the paint pallettes and stuff like that...  I also raided a discarded paint-by-numbers set of it's paint cups, which are polyvinyl and have lids... I just cleaned the old, dried-up paint out of 'em...

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

I just shake my head and wonder...why? For me mixing paint is done using the TLAR method...and I don't use pipettes or eye droppers. Instead I pour or dip a stir stick into the color I want to add and either swish the coated stick into the paint I am mixing up or count the drops as they drip off the stick. No fuss no muss and no difficult clean up. Kinda like watching Grandma make bread...a handfull of this, a pinch of that and all turns out just fine. Stressing over minute and exacting amounts is to me rediculious, but to each his own.  Nothing worse than to have an otherwise enjoyable build turn frustrating over a simple task as mixing paint.

  However, I do try to mix my paints in a manner as consistent as possible for the sole purpose of being able to reproduce the color for touch-ups.  I used to keep a small bit of each color I mixed in a film canister until the model was complete. But since I haven't bought film in many years, I haven't found a replacement container that is as cheap, disposable, sealable and convenient.

I just shake my head and wonder...why?

For me mixing paint is done using the TLAR method...and I don't use pipettes or eye droppers. Instead I pour or dip a stir stick into the color I want to add and either swish the coated stick into the paint I am mixing up or count the drops as they drip off the stick. No fuss no muss and no difficult clean up.

Kinda like watching Grandma make bread...a handfull of this, a pinch of that and all turns out just fine. Stressing over minute and exacting amounts is to me rediculious, but to each his own.  Nothing worse than to have an otherwise enjoyable build turn frustrating over a simple task as mixing paint. 

The sad fact is, those who go through this tedious route could take their paint and hold it up to any 1:1 actual item they are trying to replicate with a model and it wouldn't match exactly to any one of them. Paint fades and wears continiously and at different rates...and everyone's eye is different.

I've had a couple encounters with paint snobs who say your shade isn't "exact" as the aircraft portrayed was on the date the photograph and documentation used for the kits instructions. To them I say well Lt. Schniederhoffel plane may have looked like that on that date, but it looked like this the day (before/after..which ever is applicable) that photo was taken. Were you there? Did you see it first hand. Oh, so you saw it in a musuem...was it restored? No, then I assume the paint hasn't changed one iota since it was last flown by Lt. Schniederhoffel some sixty years ago?

Are we talking the difference between black and white or shades of gray here? TLAR...That Looks About Right. Back into the fumes I go!

I also use fuel line from RC aircraft. i cut off a small portion insert it on the end of the syringe, and that way it keeps the end  and outside clean and easier to read. Also try a drug store, they are pretty cheap and come in different sizes or if you know anyone who is a nurse.

Cheers Leo

caSSius wrote:

Lately I've been using laboratory-grade syringes.  Unlike disposable syringes, they are made of glass and have no gaskets to be fouled by solvents...clean-up's a breeze, even with enamels, for which I use lacquer thinner. They're very precise and can hold more paint than my paint cups do, so one shot each of paint and thinner and I'm ready to AB. They are not cheap...but they are literally a once-in-a-lifetime purchase (as long as you don't break them) and they'll last forever.  I get mine from work, but if you Google "glass syringes" there doesn't appear to be a shortage of manufacturers...lol

There are different places you can get them.  You can try ordering online from Fisher Scientific.  The key is understanding the how much a cc is.  You also have to know what size tips you want.  They come in different sizes.  These are great for measuring paint and for applying epoxy to small joints or long beads.  You can also get them from Small Parts Inc.  Some places may frown on giving out measured syringe casing unless you are in the medical field or R&D.  I need had a problem since I was ordering from where I worked.  I would try Small Parts Inc. first then try Fisher Scientific.  Also, Fisher Scientific have some great tools or supplies like bottles, different swabs from cotton to sponges, micro brushes, and one of my favorites aluminum disposal dishes great for putting in small parts of a kit or even mixing epoxy.

Lately I've been using laboratory-grade syringes.  Unlike disposable syringes, they are made of glass and have no gaskets to be fouled by solvents...clean-up's a breeze, even with enamels, for which I use lacquer thinner. They're very precise and can hold more paint than my paint cups do, so one shot each of paint and thinner and I'm ready to AB.

They are not cheap...but they are literally a once-in-a-lifetime purchase (as long as you don't break them) and they'll last forever.  I get mine from work, but if you Google "glass syringes" there doesn't appear to be a shortage of manufacturers...lol

I have some pipettes. They work good but it gets hard counting all those little drops...LOL. I thought about the rubber boot on the syringes, but I usually only mix acrylic for big jobs. I appreciate both of you guys help. Guess I'll go hit up the Walgreen's at lunch tomorrow.

JWALL

That site is a great place for some things I've been looking for thanks, Hans.

Hi,

Check with your local drug store!  I usually pick mine up there.  Not expensive at all, something like 22cents ea.  I use them with acrylic paints, and they usually last for a build if you clean them properly between each use.

You want pipettes, not syringes, right?

Towards the bottom:

http://www.pinrestore.com/Supplies.html

That's just one source, most hobby shops carry the Testor's paint-mixing pipettes (same thing as the above)... My source is that I have a friend in the lab at the local hospital and she gives gobs of things to me whenever I stop by... They use 'em by the gross there..

I dunno about using syringes for paint-mixing... The solvents in enamels and laquers will dissolve the rubber boot in 'em.... I do use 'em for painting the tar-caulk lines on taxiways and ramps in aircraft dioramas though.  But I only use acrylics for that... My wife's a diabetic, so I use her old ones... They make great small caliber gun barels too.