Disposable Paint Mixing Pots

[RuneBrush]

When I'm airbrushing I tend to mix my paints in little 3.5ml flip-top paint pots (like you get when you get in paint by number kits), I put the appropriate paint in, thin it down and then pour it into the cup of my airbrush. A pot is really only good for one colour/shade and although you can keep the paint over a couple of days (unless it's a foundation paint) they dry out pretty quick (not much paint in there to keep liquid) so tend to get chucked pretty quickly.

These 3.5ml pots cost about 8 pence each and I was down to my last dozen or so, so went on the hunt for a slightly cheaper alternative - and I found them... Tattoo ink pots. If you've not had a tattoo before these are little plastic 'tops' that the tattooist puts the ink into for doing the artwork. At the end of the session the pot just gets binned.

Positive news is that you can pick up 100 for a couple of pound. They come in small, medium, large and extra-large. Personally the small is too small (only 1ml of paint I reckon) but the large is a pretty decent size so I reckon the medium could be OK.

They look like this (medium size):

I always blue tac or double-sided tape my pots to my cutting mat - if you don't they're really easy to catch with a cuff!

pete

 

[QuietiManes]

You can get little stands for those cups too, usually, if you look around. If you're so inclined.

I usually use the disposable shot glasses or measuring cups (name dependent on where you go) to mix up certain things. You can get them in packages of 20 to 100 or more, depending where you go, if they're graduated or not, etc. Dollar stores usually have them in with the wedding streamers and stuff, 20 for a dollar, grocery stores, woodworking and craft shops usually have them in larger packages for a similar price per unit. I tend to get the graduated ones, but have never used the measurements on the cups, since I use much smaller amounts of 2 part glues and such. I'm not sure how the price would differ in the UK or if they're as easy to find there, but that's what I have on hand.

 

[Einion]

Those are a great idea Pete :good:

Did you get them locally or did you buy online?

When I'm airbrushing I tend to mix my paints in little 3.5ml flip-top paint pots (like you get when you get in paint by number kits)... they dry out pretty quick...

FWIW, you could make those airtight/moisture-tight for keeping paint longer if needed (it would make recycling them between colours a viable proposition, shame to chuck them after a single use). The ideal thing for this would be Parafilm-M which is pricey to buy but cheap to use (goes a long way) but even without a specialist product like that it should be doable using nothing more elaborate than a small patch of cling film.

Einion

 

[RuneBrush]

You can get little stands for those cups too, usually, if you look around. If you're so inclined.

I usually use the disposable shot glasses or measuring cups (name dependent on where you go) to mix up certain things. You can get them in packages of 20 to 100 or more, depending where you go, if they're graduated or not, etc. Dollar stores usually have them in with the wedding streamers and stuff, 20 for a dollar, grocery stores, woodworking and craft shops usually have them in larger packages for a similar price per unit. I tend to get the graduated ones, but have never used the measurements on the cups, since I use much smaller amounts of 2 part glues and such. I'm not sure how the price would differ in the UK or if they're as easy to find there, but that's what I have on hand.

Another nice idea - Google'ing "Plastic Shot Glasses" and "Plastic Medicine Cup" turns up some good results of around £3 for 50 of either, which is pretty good value

Those are a great idea Pete :good:

Did you get them locally or did you buy online?

Thanks, I ended up buying them online (www.alterdrome.co.uk), very quick turn around too. I'm sure that a local tattooist could actually resell you some as I would imagine they must get through hundreds of them and likely buy them in bulk.

FWIW, you could make those airtight/moisture-tight for keeping paint longer if needed (it would make recycling them between colours a viable proposition, shame to chuck them after a single use). The ideal thing for this would be Parafilm-M which is pricey to buy but cheap to use (goes a long way) but even without a specialist product like that it should be doable using nothing more elaborate than a small patch of cling film.

I'd not actually thought about doing that before - very good idea for a project that's going to take a little while. Never heard about Parafilm-M before, looks like it could be a good addition to the toolbox.

 

[Einion]

Thanks for the link, will check it out.

Never heard about Parafilm-M before, looks like it could be a good addition to the toolbox.

It's not essential but very useful if you need its unique properties. But have to be honest, cling film will do most of what it does pretty well.

Back when I got mine I had to order from a US website because I wanted a full 125' roll (lifetime supply, so worth the $$) but you can get smaller amounts on eBay no problem. If you want a roll gimme a shout and I'll post their URL so you can compare shipping, they might still be competitive.

Edit: darn shame you're not in the US, there's an eBay vendor giving the stuff away!! Gotta be less than half the retail price.

Einion