StanG

How do you stir your paints?
I don't have problems with matt and satin. Give it a shake, stir it with the handle of a teaspoon, etc. It works well.
However, I do have problems with gloss (Xtracolor). Stirring, shaking, no matter how long, I can't seem to get it nicely stirred.
I looked for some tools. Hmm, the Tamiya paint stirrer looks not much different to handle of the teaspoon I am using.
I've seen badger paint mixer, which is apparently way too fast and could create a real mess. Also, Robart paint shaker which seems quite expensive.
Looking at this paint shaker, I'm thinking buying a cheap sander and converting it!

Any tips how to stir the paint cheaply?

tag

Hello Stan
If of any use:
In the past before I changed to Acylics I made a small stirrer from an old bicycle wheel spoke and used my bench drill on its lowest speed and the tin held in the vice also works with a battery drill just DO NOT go fast or beautiful patterns appear everywhere also I heard of very small boat propellers being used in same way

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Kind Regards Tony

Oh God How I hate Talented people its just not fair
(Never wrestle with a pig... You both get dirty but the pig likes it )

StanG

I guess I might have messed up here.
I have a tin of Humbrol enamel thinner which works fine with Humbrol paints.
I assumed that the the Xtracolor paint being an enamel paint as well will be fine with the Humbrol thinner. Looking at the tin, it requires 'good quality' white spirit to be mixed with. I don't know much about thinners and white spirits, but I guess that the Humbrol thinner and white spirit are nothing similar?

wonwinglo

Stan be careful with different types of thinners,some are more akin to refined diesel fuel,so forget the £ shop rubbish ! generally a good quality white spirit will thin 'most' enamel paints,but there are always fickle exceptions,Revell paint being one of them,generally use the manufacturers own thinners,I know these small bottles are expensive but some paints will not thin at all with commercial spirits,best to check a tiny amount of paint first in a lid or something,simple add a dab of thinners to the paint and see if it disperses or thins the paint properly,you will soon find out from this simple test.
If you want a really good quality thinner then try your local art shop,they sell odourless Sansador and oil of spike lavender for super results,but once again do a sample check first before commiting to your treasured model.

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StanG

Yes, sample check. That's what I should have done! I have a full tin of paint I can't stir and a coat of it on the model. Well, a new tin will be here in a couple of days and the paint is only on the bottom side of the wings. First model, I'm learning, sometimes the hard way.