Just bought Vallejo game set, need help!

[SciFry]

This just made me laugh like hell because just the other day I had a bottle of the leather brown and when I went to sqeeze some paint out onto my pallet the dropper shot off and lost like half the bottle not funny at the time though.Thats how I found out they came off and started putting in some spurs to help mixing cuase I was having the same problem.

 

[Johnny Chronics]

One method I thought about (but haven't tried it yet) would work perfectly for your situation. Get a clean housepaint can, pack all your paints into it, fill in any major gaps with something soft then take it to a shop that has a paint shaker, I'm sure they won't charge you. Voila 72 bottles ready for use at one time, ok maybe 2.

 

[maxbrown]

One method I thought about (but haven't tried it yet) would work perfectly for your situation. Get a clean housepaint can, pack all your paints into it, fill in any major gaps with something soft then take it to a shop that has a paint shaker, I'm sure they won't charge you. Voila 72 bottles ready for use at one time, ok maybe 2.

I've also found several plans on the internet for building an electric hobby paint mixer. The simplest one that sounds effective was someone who strapped the pots onto an electric sander. That way you can paint with one color while another is mixing.

Your idea is interesting, but if I don't pack the paint right I could end up being pretty upset with the end result.

 

[Johnny Chronics]

Those bottles are pretty tough and if you are worried about packing it right then just fill the can with water after packing. I just revived my Vallejo paints after a 6 year rest, after alot of vigorous shaking (that's when I came up with my idea) they were as good as almost new

 

[Einion]

Man, that's gotta be some kind of record in a gap between postings Johnny Chronics!

Einion

 

[Marshal de Charney]

One way (apart from the sprue in the bottle trick, which I use as well) that I've found works is to roll the bottle on your flattened fingers (like you were clapping politely is the best way I can describe the way your hands are in relation to each other). Apparently the action of the bottle rolling over the fingers and joints agitates everything quite nicely.

I've also sat them on my old brass case tumbler from when I used to reload my own ammo for shooting. Does a good job for starting the bottle if it's been sitting there for a long time.

 

[tooshy]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned, but I would be cautious about adding bits of metal to your paint as it can actually rust and cause lots of nasty stuff. (That is from experience unfortunately)

As Enion mentioned, it was a very expensive experiment but you have the paints now so it will be good to learn to use them. Personally I find the Vallejo Game colour paints too watery for my tastes and tend to use the Model colour range. These are much better IMO. You can pick these (and the Game colours too btw) in 'themed' packs i.e. fantasy, sci-fi, WW2 and so on. You can obviously also buy them individually, so you might be able to swap the particularly weak colours - orange & red seems to some to mind - and replace them with the lovely carmine red and hot orange

Do keep trying with them though; acrylics might seem a bit alien, but you will be able to do a lot with them once you have some experience under your belt.

Good luck!

 

[mickc22]

Here's a pic of the paint shaker I made from an old Jigsaw (US-Sabre?)

The "tray" hold Vallejo, GW, and Foundry style pots with the addition of suitable spacers
I've done a slight modification since these pics and added sides to the paint holder, into which I placed two screws each side. I now also secure the pots/bottles with an elastic band hooked over the screws, as some of them where popping out when mixing
Works a treat! :smile-big:

 

[maxbrown]

The jigsaw shaker is awesome. I've actually had great luck just squeezing the bottom of the pots (gently) at the base for a bit and then shaking the crap out of the pot until my forearms start to ache. I'm painting a unit of orcs which I will post for advice and ridicule when I am finished.

 

[Einion]

That's awesome, what a neat idea using the up-and-down motion sideways!

Einion

 

[Tagamoga]

:highfive: Hillarious!

My husband called me "wacky" because I wanted this device for massaging his neck for shaking.

Greetings, Taggi

 

[Rugne]

I noticed on their website the other days that hasslefree has started selling chromed steel balls in a variety of sizes, could be just the thing to drop into your pots before shaking.

Marc

 

[Twosoc]

Just got a bunch of these for an unrelated project but it has revitalised my game colours. Now even the red covers a treat.

Stainless steel ball bearings (6mm)