Paint agitators

[kevinsho27]

I thoroughly shake my paint bottles before using but still am not always satisfied with the mix. I'm wondering if adding a paint agitator to the bottle will help. I know steel or iron BBs would discolor the paint. I would guess plastic beads are too light. Would copper balls work? Does anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[Zab]

Glass or ceramic beads work really well I use 'em in my SW washes.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Definitely use an agitator, I've used glass beads and offcuts of the slottatabs. (recycling in action)

 

[Humanitarian]

I use ceramic beads and offcuts of tabs as well. They really do help. The thicker vallejo paints tend to need something heavier, but I think glass, ceramic, or tabs would be fine in P3, Reaper or Citadel.

 

[Asatru_Artist]

I use round tin split shot in my Vallejo paint pots:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00030A72I/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with the tin version to avoid the lead of the other types.

 

[Splurch]

Glass beads are going to be the easiest thing for you to find and they work quite well. You can pick them up at your local hobby store and should only be a few dollars for more then enough for all your paints/washes etc.

 

[denstore]

Someone told me that it is preferable to mix Vallejo by rolling or gently rocking them, instead of shaking. to keep them free of air bubbles. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Dragonsreach]

Someone told me that it is preferable to mix Vallejo by rolling or gently rocking them, instead of shaking. to keep them free of air bubbles. Any thoughts on this?

Some Vallejo paints don't do gently, mostly reds and ochre based ones in my experience.
Those you have to shake the bejesus out of, go away for half an hour come back and shake until it's sundown to get the paint and carrier to mix properly.
Having said that it could also be that they don't always get used that often so they might benefit from being rotated in a rack instead of my just standing on the painting desk.

 

[denstore]

Some Vallejo paints don't do gently, mostly reds and ochre based ones in my experience.
Those you have to shake the bejesus out of, go away for half an hour come back and shake until it's sundown to get the paint and carrier to mix properly.
Having said that it could also be that they don't always get used that often so they might benefit from being rotated in a rack instead of my just standing on the painting desk.

I'm thinking of buying either a vortex shaker or a test tube roller for my paint bottles. Problem might be that the roller isn't rolling fast enough, and the vortex shaker might be a bit too violent.....

 

[Splurch]

The shaker/roller are probably overkill and the roller probably won't do a great job, even with some beads in it. If you throw a bead (or two, as I do) into the dropper as you shake you can hear them clatter around. Some paints you can see the bottom and see the sediment break up, some you can't. For the ones you can't I generally shake until I hear the beads rattle, then shake about twice that time again.

 

[denstore]

The shaker/roller are probably overkill and the roller probably won't do a great job, even with some beads in it. If you throw a bead (or two, as I do) into the dropper as you shake you can hear them clatter around. Some paints you can see the bottom and see the sediment break up, some you can't. For the ones you can't I generally shake until I hear the beads rattle, then shake about twice that time again.

I suppose that you are right, but the problem is that:
1. I'm quite tired of shaking paint bottles. And even when shaking like a maniac, I'm always worried that I havn't shook them enough.
2. I'm a sucker for tools and gadgets.
If I get a few of my earlier sins sold, I suppose I will get one of both, just to try out which one works best.

 

[Splurch]

Well if you're set on getting a gadget for it you're probably better off getting like a vibratory tumbler and figuring out how to attach the bottle to the device. Something that vibrates rather then something that rotates like the vortex/roller should break up the sediment better with the help of an agitator or two.

 

[denstore]

The vortex shaker is working with a vibration. According to some chemists I know, it's the best choice for mixing liquids. It makes it's work without any need of introducing any foreign object into the fluid, and quite fast. In many ways it sounds perfect for mixing paint. But there might be a risk of shaking in a lot of air into the paint, which I'm not that keen on doing.

 

[Splurch]

I see the one you mean now, when I Googled it I found the drink mixer that spun. Make sure to let us know how it goes

 

[Dragonsreach]

Look up ROBART PAINT SHAKER in Google. It's designed specifically for model paints and is (on hobby link) $30. Plus postage.

 

[denstore]

Look up ROBART PAINT SHAKER in Google. It's designed specifically for model paints and is (on hobby link) $30. Plus postage.

It has gotten quite mixed reviews. People who use it a lot seem to have problem.

 

[Bloodhowl]

DIY Shaker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMmMls-GYOI

 

[denstore]

DIY Shaker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMmMls-GYOI

It's a novel idea, but I really can't see the point. If I would buy a shaker/mixer, it would be to get good results in as little time as possible, with as little hassle as possible. To convert one of my other machines every time I would like to paint would be maximising both wasted time and hassle. And when watching the video, I couldn't help thinking about what would happen if the bottle would fall out of the clamp....

As I mentioned earlier, I'm a sucker for tools. But tools should be saving time, not wasting it, setting them up for the job. That's one of the reasons I usually advice against any tools that is supposed to be 2 in 1 and other "practical" selling arguments. Usually, they don't work as good as tools made for one purpose.

 

[Bloodhowl]

There were several other threads on DIY shakers, each one way more involved then using a jig saw and a clamp. That one seemed to involve the least amount of work and cost, especially if you already have the tool. Add a few rubber bands around the bottle on the clamp and it would prevent the paint container from falling off.

Here's another one for dropper style bottles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0aaFxDc-IY

Just offering up alternatives to all who read the posts. If it's helpful or makes people think of other ways to do it and possibly save money and/or time, fine. If you prefer to buy a specialty tool, then fine. To each his own.

 

[denstore]

There were several other threads on DIY shakers, each one way more involved then using a jig saw and a clamp. That one seemed to involve the least amount of work and cost, especially if you already have the tool. Add a few rubber bands around the bottle on the clamp and it would prevent the paint container from falling off.

Just offering up alternatives to all who read the posts. If it's helpful or makes people think of other ways to do it and possibly save money and/or time, fine. If you prefer to buy a specialty tool, then fine. To each his own.

I didn´t intend to be rude, just giving my opinon. All info available is of course positive.