Paint shaker

[Greg Cullinan]

I have a real problem with the small Testor bottles and Tamiya bottles being very thick on the bottom.It is hard to shake them even manually.Can anyone reccomend a paint shaker or better method than shaking mysef silly.Thanks

[Longbox55]

Stirring the paint is really the correct way. Shaking doesn't really do a thourough job of mixing the paint. I usually use either a cut peice of scrap sprue or a stiff wire rod to stir mine.

[mrmike]

I use the Badger paint mixer that I got at my LHS for $10.00. Well worth the money to me!

[highway]

I use the Badger paint mixer that I got at my LHS for $10.00. Well worth the money to me!

Yep, I use one, too, and wouldn't know what to do without it. If the paint is very thick at the bottom, though, go down into the bottle very slowly to allow everything to mix properly. If you go into the thick stuff to fast, it will bring the mixer to a stop quickly, since it's powered only by two AA batteries.

[Greg Cullinan]

Most of the paint is new with the oldest being 18 months(well at least bought from the store with in this time span).

if i cant hand shake a bottle of paint and get that stuff off the bottom it goes in the trash. if it's old enough for that stuff to have separated and gotten hard on the bottom of the bottle to me it's no good anymore.

Dave

I am going to order the electric one after some research,thanks

[highway]

I am going to order the electric one after some research,thanks

Here's what mine looks like, and I'm sure this is probably the same one Mike was talking about, too.

[Jon Cole]

I use wooden stirring sticks; have been from back in the days when you could get them for stirring coffee. Now I buy a bag of 100 at Michaels. I like the feel of sinking the stick in the paint... too much resistance means the paint is shot.

[mrmike]

Here's what mine looks like, and I'm sure this is probably the same one Mike was talking about, too.

That's the exact same mixer that I have. Except for the paint splatters!

[highway]

That's the exact same mixer that I have. Except for the paint splatters!

Well, what do expect, it's almost 10 years old!

[Greg Cullinan]

Question about the stirrers and electric mixer,do you lose a lot of paint?

7/11'S around here still have the wooden coffee stirrers.

[charlie8575]

Some of the bargain stores, like Ocean State Job Lot, Big Lots and similar will also get in small electric drink mixers that require to AA batteries. Usually for around $3-5. Those work well from what I've been told.

Charlie Larkin

[highway]

Question about the stirrers and electric mixer,do you lose a lot of paint?

No, Greg, as long as you don't do like I did to get the splatters on my paint stirrer and pull the mixer out of the jar before you turn it off! DOH!!!!!

As long as you keep the mixer's shaft below the rim of the jar, you will not lose or splatter any paint, other than the small amount of paint on the shaft itself. I then just dip it in thinner and run it to clean it off, and wipe with thinner off with a paper towel.

[Ben]

A cheap trick that I do is to take some "BB's", wash them in lacquer thinner and put a few in each bottle. When you shake the bottle it will mix the paint like a spray can does. If your paint is older and a bit thick, add a few drops of thinner to it and shake, shake, shake!

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

I use a piece of old spur from a kit. Cut a piece about 1.5" long w/ a 90 leg at the end cut so it just fits thru the opening of the jar. I'll put it in a cordless drill and mix it w/ that. When finished that gets chucked in the trash.

Edited September 27, 2010 by Semi Trailer Mechanic

[crispy]

I've got the electric shaker, probably 15 years old now and has worked well for me. Tougher paints I utilize the badger mixer that's been shown here. Both to me are good sound investments. Both serve a purpose and are used on a regular basis.

Chris

[The Modeling Hermit]

Whenever I go to McDonalds, I get a few plastic stirring sticks. The smaller end is perfect for small bottles like Testors, and the larger end works well for large bottles like Model Masters. They're free, and rather sturdy. I always stir the paint, whether it's new or old.

[Aaronw]

I've got the electric shaker, probably 15 years old now and has worked well for me. Tougher paints I utilize the badger mixer that's been shown here. Both to me are good sound investments. Both serve a purpose and are used on a regular basis.

Chris

That's the one I have, and it works great. I was worried it might just be a cheap gadget but it has held up well for about 4 years now, and gets a fair bit of use. I just use a piece of sprue to loosen up the paint if it has clumped on the bottom, or my Dremel if it is really stubborn.

[Foxer]

Here's what mine looks like, and I'm sure this is probably the same one Mike was talking about, too.

I do usually just use pieces of sprue but I have a Dremel attachment for mixing paint that looks just like that. I thought it was from Micro Mark, but I did find both mixers mentioned there while looking.