gwolf Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I'm sure this has been answered before, but... How long does Testors gloss enamel in the glass bottles last? Anybody know? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggon Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 A couple summers ago I airbrushed some lime gold that was over 20 years old. I thinned it with lacquer thinner. I dont know if that made any difference or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Assuming the cap is on airtight, forever. But what usually happens is the cap isn't on tight enough and some of the solvents escape, and the paint gets too thick to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 The only issue that you might run into is when it starts to crystallize in the jar . After sitting on the shelf for a long period of time , it develops a sand quality to it . Add thinner to it , shake well , strain it through a piece of ladies nylon stocking into another jar , and the crystals are trapped by the nylon . Paint is now good to go ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 l have flat paint that is 10 years old but opening the the gloss so many times and it dries out on me after a year or so.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 l have flat paint that is 10 years old but opening the the gloss so many times and it dries out on me after a year or so.. That's the biggest problem... you open it, some paint gets on the threads, when you close it the seal isn't airtight anymore, solvents evaporate, paint dries out. But I have a feeling if you found a brand new, unopened bottle from 20 years ago, it would still be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest G Holding Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Try this trick then : When done wipe threads clean , invert jar. As long as it is kept this way, it will not dry out as the only "air" is trapped inside. I learned this from a painter who swore by it ! My proof is the "sleeve' of Floquil solvent RR paints I purchased, opened, used and then stored this way for 17 years('84 - '01). When I found them I also had a unopened pint of Dio Sol...So I added a few fresh drops (after fighting the tight lid) of solvent and then sprayed them with my airbrush. I used the Floquil "rust" and as it is flat, worked perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabsscale1 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 That's the biggest problem... you open it, some paint gets on the threads, when you close it the seal isn't airtight anymore, solvents evaporate, paint dries out. But I have a feeling if you found a brand new, unopened bottle from 20 years ago, it would still be good As Harry Stated if the lid is cleabed the pait will last A long time. I have some that is 20 years old and still using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmvw guy Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I think there is a chance some of the 10 and 15 cent bottles may still be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbert Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I've got several bottles that are at least 20 years old, if I could get the lids off I'd use them! I periodically (like once every 5 years maybe) give them a shake to see if they mix up and they seem to. I probably won't use them now, they still have the price tag from the store I bought them when I was a kid and have more sentimental value than paint value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clovis Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I had some bottles that were at least 20 years old, until someone decided to steal my box of model paints and tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwolf Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Wow, that is good to hear! Next question is, anybody found a great way to shake the paint? My bottles are sealed well but the pigment has separated, ie, color on top, the clear on the bottom. Anybody got a miniature paint shaker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmvw guy Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Wow, that is good to hear! Next question is, anybody found a great way to shake the paint? My bottles are sealed well but the pigment has separated, ie, color on top, the clear on the bottom. Anybody got a miniature paint shaker? Micro Mark makes a nifty little tool that fits right down in the bottle and spins from power of a AA battery. When you are through mixing paint just spin the tool in a little bottle of thinner then wipe it off. Cost is about $12 I think, sorry I don't have my catalog handy but, you can order on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGirl Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I think a mini paint shaker would be cool that way no paint is wasted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwolf Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Micro Mark makes a nifty little tool that fits right down in the bottle and spins from power of a AA battery. When you are through mixing paint just spin the tool in a little bottle of thinner then wipe it off. Cost is about $12 I think, sorry I don't have my catalog handy but, you can order on line. rmvw guy, just looked that up, man. Never even knew that existed. New version, $50 http://www.micromark.com/paint-shaker-120v-ac,6781.html Old School, $11 http://www.micromark.com/Cordless-Mixer-for-Model-Paints,7616.html Let's pony up that money now, boys. We all need a paint shaker / stirrer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwolf Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 It's funny, this was posted in the General forum this morning: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74309 Another great way to shake that old paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimaxion Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I have bottles of Pactra from the '50's - '60's . When I bring paint (in bottles) home , I open these , wipe Vasolene PJ on the threads sparringly . Not enough to enter the bottle . Store turned upside down , with a B-B in it to agitate . The only time I had an issue is when I placed a B-B in Alclad Chrome . I shook the bottle and it exploded . Won't do that again . Thanx for the tip about Grainy and filtering / thinning . I use a Micro Mark 110 V shaker . I am on my second strap now . Thanx .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbert Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 For really old paint that I'm actually trying to use (vs the neat old bottles that are as old as I am and just part of the collection) I find it better to stir than shake. Stirring mixes up the thick stuff at the bottom better and makes a more consistent viscosity and coloring. Not that you can't shake, but stirring sometimes is necessary to get old paint mixed back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest G Holding Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I think a mini paint shaker would be cool that way no paint is wasted As Greg posted... http://www.micromark.com/paint-shaker-120v-ac,6781.html Lemmesee BB's are $00.023 ea....I need 5 per bottle thats 1000 bottles of paint, and a lot of BB's in a carton I think I will keep on shakin !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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