My Paint Storage Solution

[mrmike]

Last month, I acquired a sizable lot of paint in jars and spray cans from a friend of mine. But, this created a storage Issue for me as I had run out of space. First, I went to Home Depot for some 1 x 3/4 wood and doubled the size of my jar paint storage rack.

I went to my local landfill on Saturday to deposit my trash and found a Sterilite rolling drawer set sitting next to a dumpster. One of the large drawers was missing, but all four casters were there and in good condition. I grabbed it before someone else did and brought it home and cleaned it up. I happen to have another large drawer filled with junk that I emptied out and filled it with spray cans.

There is still plenty of room left for additional spray cans and jar paint. I just need to sort and organize the colors for better use.

How about it guys...how have you solved your storage problems?

[Mike Kucaba]

I BOUGHT one of those plastic roll arounds, loaded it up with bottles and cans, and the first time I went to roll it around(on a hardwood floor no less) the caster fell out as the plastic around couldn't handle the weight. Hope you get better use out of your find. I later on removed the casters and found a convenient place to use it.

[crazyjim]

Very nice, Mike. I like organized as much as I like SHINY :) . Like you, I also have shelves for bottled paint. Spray cans (primer) are on a separate shelf over by the spray booth.

[espo]

I wonder what you have in those smaller drawers in your desk ? For myself I have an old rolltop desk with several smaller drawers that are just deep enough for spry cans. Some of the lighter weight iteams could be put in the roll around unit. Like Michael said, those plastic storage units just will not support a lot of weight. I like your jar storage. I need to make something like that for myself.

[mrknowetall]

My temporary solution. I have an old Kustom Kolors (hobby paint) wire storage rack I need to find a space for. In the interim...

[mrmike]

I BOUGHT one of those plastic roll arounds, loaded it up with bottles and cans, and the first time I went to roll it around(on a hardwood floor no less) the caster fell out as the plastic around couldn't handle the weight. Hope you get better use out of your find. I later on removed the casters and found a convenient place to use it.

Mike, I don't know what brand of rollaround you had, but the unit I found happens to be a locally produced item and it is quite sturdy. I have seen other rollarounds that are not worth the plastic they are made of. My plans for this unit does not include rolling it around from spot to spot since my hobby room floor is carpeted and rolling it around is really not much of an option.

I wonder what you have in those smaller drawers in your desk ? For myself I have an old rolltop desk with several smaller drawers that are just deep enough for spry cans. Some of the lighter weight iteams could be put in the roll around unit. Like Michael said, those plastic storage units just will not support a lot of weight. I like your jar storage. I need to make something like that for myself.

In one desk drawer, I have more paint cans. In another, I have larger 12 oz. cans of paint, primer, lubricants, styrene, and tubing. The other half on my desk is for non-model related items since my desk also serves multiple functions. The shelving unit was something I cobbled together many years ago out of 1 x 3/4 strapping, a 1 x 6 board, and a piece of 1/4 plywood for the backing. Since I have doubled the size, I had to secure the shelf base to the desktop to prevent any possibility of it accidentally tipping over. Safety plays a huge role in my hobby room!

[Mooneyzs]

Mike.... I really like the wood paint rack you made.that turned out great. I need to make something like that for my paints. I may have to borrow this idea. Thanks for sharing

[charlie8575]

I'll second Mike's statement regarding Sterilite products. Having been to the plant (and almost getting a job there after college), I can attest to the quality of the product and the competence of the people that make them.

Right now, I have most of my jar paints in a tool tray I got for free at my parents' church's rummage sale last year. Sprays are kept either next to the spray box or in some large plastic containers. As the containers are clear, I don't really sort them too much, but they are contained.

I have plans for a vastly-improved (I hope) system coming soon.

Charlie Larkin

[ZTony8]

A few years ago I was given an old Testor paint rack.I filled that up and later I got another,larger Testor paint rack.I haven't switched to the larger rack yet-that's gonna take a readjustment of the bin in which I have the original rack.I'll need to do it soon because my paint stash seems to breeding in my basement.

[mrknowetall]

.I'll need to do it soon because my paint stash seems to breeding in my basement.

Ain't that the truth?

[2000-cvpi]

I stopped at the local hobby shop on day and they were selling this paint rack. At the time my paints were in a old tool box and some cardboard boxes. So I bought it and I have out grew it since then.

[slusher]

Great ldea Mike, l need more paint storage..

[JM485]

That's a great storage rack Mike, might be time to upgrade my own!

[my80malibu]

That looks fantastic

[Mercman]

This is where I store my spray cans.

Bottle paints are here.

And the acrylics.

[mrmike]

Nice setups and organization guys!

Last night, I was staring at my newly acquired rolling drawers and at the smaller unit sitting in my bookcase. I decided to combine the two units into one and put all of my spray can paints together. This has worked out for me in several ways...my spray cans are all in one place, I have another shelf for completed models, and I have an empty drawer in my desk.

[Dr. Cranky]

Wow, lots of clean, well organized benches. Very nice.

[Gregg]

David Ferguson did a great article back in 2006 on this also:

PaintRack.pdf

[charlie8575]

Thanks, Gregg. With all my mags packed away three years + () after moving home, I forgot about this article. It's a very useful-looking little rack.

Charlie Larkin