Best way to decant spray paint?

[Ryan S.]

How do you guys decant spray paint for airbrushing in a clean manner? I've got an airbrush on the way, but want to use some colors I have in spray form but I'm not sure the best way to approach this.

Thanks for any tips!

[martinfan5]

Here is how to do it, with pics

http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial/3

[Ryan S.]

That looks easy enough, and I should have all the tools to do it. Thanks for the link!

[martinfan5]

Your welcome

[Roncla]

I use that method too but I also roll out some Blu Tak then use it to seal the straw to the nozzle of the spray can. it secures the straw and prevents any paint from escaping around the join.

[Mike Kucaba]

I got a wad of those hard plastic "straws" that are usually seen on WD 40 cans. I found a drill bit close enough,but a touch larger and drilled out two of the more common tips(One for Tamiya one for most others) then epoxied the straw into the drilled hole. I spray into those small tapered cups with the bottom cut off into a jar. Sometimes though,when I want to save all the contents from a full can,I just rip the top off the can!!

[CadillacPat]

Here's the method I came up with to show other Customizers how to make use of cheap Aerosol paints.

I also have it here in an old post somewhere.

Toy Car and Model Mag contacted me to ask if they could run it in one of their issues many years ago.

You will need a 3" - 4" length of plastic drinking straw, some 1" wide tape, and of course a suitable container.

I collect the empty film cans from local WalMart Photoshops. This soft pliable plastic will not react with automotive paints.

1st-----Butt the straw up to the hole in the button of the Aerosol can. In most cases with Duplicolor, the straw will actually slip over a short protrusion in the button.

2nd-----Wrap the tape around the straw and button so they are held together firmly and tightly.

3rd-----Just spray your paint into whatever container you've chosen. The straw will perform like a muffler, choking down the escaping gases and allowing the paint to gently run out the end of the straw.

If you're only using small amounts of paint, you can just spray the paint directly into your paint cup.

I will add this note.

I have an alternate method for removing the paint from aerosol cans when I want to completely empty the can and transfer all its contents to another container.

You can of course use my above method to completely empty an Aerosol can but this second method is quicker.

Remove the spray button from the can.

Shake the can to thoroughly mix its contents.

Set the can down on a flat surface.

Using a file sharpen a small nail to a point and with a small hammer gently tap a pin hole just inside the lip at the top of the can.

A pinhole is all you need.

Just barely break the skin of the can.

Allow the pressure to fully escape, about 15 minutes.

Now similarly tap another pinhole opposite from the first on the other side of where the spray button was.

When all pressure has escaped enlarge both holes with a larger nail or phillips screwdriver.

These two holes will equalize the air pressure in the can so you may pour out the contents.

Now you need a suitable container to hold the contents.

You may use any soft plastic container i.e., polyethylene not hard styrene.

I choose either Ketchup bottles or Barbecue Sauce bottles.

Yeah, I do a lot of Barbecuing around here.

These bottles are constructed of soft vinyl like plastic which will not react with the chemicals in Enamel or Lacquer paints.

They also come with the benefit of having a small mouth opening so you may safely pour your thinned paint directly into your AirBrush Cup.

Gently pour the contents of the can into your new container and leave it open for about 4 hours.

Return every so often to swirl around the contents assuring that the gases get released.

The paint still contains propellant in liquid form and will create pressure in your new container if shaken.

Diluting it with the prescribed amount, 35%, of Paint Thinner will deactivate some of this tendency to bubble up and boil over.

I screw on the cap, gently shake the bottle and very easily loosen the cap 4 or 5 times repeatedly to allow all remaining propellant to escape.

So here you have methods of removing paint from aerosol cans allowing you to either release small amounts as in using the Straw Method or to completely empty the can and transfer the contents to another container.

All my painting is done completely with House Of Kolor products, Of Course!!

But I like to give alternate methods so that anyone can get perfect results using products they can easily obtain.

CadillacPat

[crazyjim]

I can never get those straws to stay put so I devised another method after taking Marcia to the eye doctor. They had a water cooler there with cone shaped cups (like a snow cone cup). I cut the bottom tip off and put the cup into a AB paint jar. Run some blue masking tape around to hold the cup in place. Shake the rattle can real good and just spray into the cup. Afterwards I transfer any leftovers into a clean, used HOK 2oz bottle.

[58 Impala]

Just a note, after you decant your paint give it some time to gas off. The propellant stays in the paint for a while and if you shake it you'll be wearing it. Kinda of like shaking a soda.

[martinfan5]

Just a note, after you decant your paint give it some time to gas off. The propellant stays in the paint for a while and if you shake it you'll be wearing it. Kinda of like shaking a soda.

Good point, when you dont see anymore bubbles coming to the top, its safe to say that the paint as gassed out, and its ready

[MrObsessive]

I like CrazyJim's idea the best! I'm not so sure bursting cans is the way to go.....especially for young ones or newbies here on the board.

I've used the funnel trick with those cone cups and the results have been satisfying.

It's still a good idea after the paint is decanted to let it sit for a spell and gas out. Nothing more frustrating than to have those air bubbles make a surprise visit in your paint!

[Ryan S.]

Good point, when you dont see anymore bubbles coming to the top, its safe to say that the paint as gassed out, and its ready

That's good info to know. I'll let the paint sit for a while before using it to avoid any mess!

[crazyjim]

You hit it exactly, Bill. I should have mentioned that I put on a pair of gloves so the paint doesn't get all over my hands.

[MoparWoman Jamie]

Easy, skip all the fuss that alot of you guys go through. I just take a straw that had the criple bends in that you can bend, and paint can, and a jar and hold the straw right at the spray can nozzle and easy decent the paint into a small jar that I ten to us on the air brush. When finish, I jus trow straw away and put the paint can back on the selve and leave the decented paint to gas out for afew minutes. You guys takes what 10 minutes or more to do the decent as in putting everything togother but how I do it only takes me like say 2 minutes if that, maybe less then 1 minute to put all things togother.