So what do YOU do with the excess thinned paint?

[wolvyreen]

Hey Guys,

When airbrushing, I'm just wondering what other people do with their excess thinned paint that they don't end up using. For example, if you set out to spray 2 parts with flat black and you mix 20ml of paint with some thinners, but now you find that you only used 10ml, what do you do with the excess?

It seems like such a waste to just throw away paint that is so costly.

Wolvy

[rallymaster]

I simply try not to waste, painting other things in the same time...
and I mostly try to get the best quantities.
That said I must say I use mostly water based paints, so wasting a few isn't that bad, and moreover I rarely use my airbrush finaly... Which would be better not to waste than cans once controling the airbrushing technic.

[gpz900ra7]

Hi Wolvy, like Rally master said, make sure that you have loads of parts to paint the same colour at the same time, then if you need some more paint, its easier to mix a tiny bit more than having to waste any, as you say, it is expensive when you waste stuff,




gpz900ra7.

[MidMazar]

Or you can get some empty bottles and pour the paint in them. That way you have some pre-thinned paint for later jobs. I did notice the thinner in the paint evaporates quicker than pre mixed paint in sealed bottles.

[yelo]

I try to mix "just enough" as much as possible, but since I always use Thinner related to the paint I use (IE: Tamiya tinner in Tamiya paint), if I'm left with some paint, I just pour it back in the jar. Anyway, jar paint tend to get a little too thick over time....

[wolvyreen]

I have also seen people pour it back in to the jar. Is this ok to do?

make sure that you have loads of parts to paint the same colour at the same time

Most of the time this is not possible. For example, sometimes you have to paint 2 or 3 parts with aluminum and then how much paint do you use? :P

[Ferrari TR]

I guess this is one of the things experence teaches. It's better to mix up a little more than you need, than to run out before the job is done. If the thinner used is compatible then it shouldn't hurt to dump a little back into the bottle.

[sam01contact]

To save paint, I always measure how much paint and thinner I'm using for the mix, that way, I can always mix a little more knowing I'll get the exact same colour or consistency. I use laboratory measuring jars and pipettes and an old notepad to register all the quantities.

Mixing a little more is OK, but with the current paint prices, I can't afford to waste any paint

[leafs004]

A little trick I use for common colors like black, flat black, white, etc. is have containers of thinned paint. Just pour it out. If you have extra, pour it back in. I am assuming that the paint you have was placed into a clean jar. If you're pouring it into a cup, I would not pour anything back into a light color.

I also buy paints for airbrushing, like Alcad or Testors metalizers. It comes ready to spray.

[wolvyreen]

ok, so this is what I am doing now I bought a bunch of these http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM81041

And then when I mix the paint, even if I don't need 20ml, I mix 20ml anyway. I then ONLY pour enough paint that I think I will need, in to my airbrush and when I am done, I simply pour it back in to the mixed jar. I then mark the jar with the Color codes of paint used and manufacturer as well as the Ratio and DATE (which is important) so that I know how old it is and what consistency it is in for future use.

This is working well for me now. Thanks for all the answers.