"Hematite beads for paint mixers: problems?" Topic

I picked up some hematite beads to put in my acrylic paint bottles as shakers. I'd have preferred stainless steel, but they aren't readily available here. Anyway, Michael's has beads for jewelry making. I found the 6mm glass beads a little too light for mixing and seen these hematite ones which are noticeably heavier.

Hematite is an oxide of iron and in this form is called a semi-precious stone. I'm just not sure if it's inert enough for submerging in paint long term.

I dunked a couple in water for a few days with no visible effects. I've also put a couple in an old jar of white paint as a test. I figured any problems would show up pretty quickly in white paint. So far, nothing.

So, has anyone had any experience with this material?

No, I have to say I haven't, but it seems like a neat idea. Let us know how it works out. I have been considering using a .177 caliber copper BB. Anybody ever use one of those?

LLC aka Ron

Don't use the copper BB's. I think they're beginning to rust on me. Granted, I'll probably use the paint before anything bad happens, but I've noticed some faint oxidation in a couple of bottles where the BB's have settled.

That was one of my "unwiser" decisions in my life – copper BB's.

Glad I asked, thanks nycjadie for saving me from myself.

LLC aka Ron

The hematite beads may "shatter" when you shake them – they are a rock and have fault lines – and they can break. Don't use copper BB's, they oxidize and can do funky things in your paints. If you can find Lead fishing shot those work great as the lead is mostly inert and it isn't like you are going to be putting it on something which doesn't already have lead in it. Stainless steel ball bearings are the best – and you can order them on line fairly cheap.

Try here:

auction

Wow, never thought of looking on eBay, thanks!! 50 ball bearings on the way! Hopefully it won't get stopped at the border as a security threat!! :)

I think the hematite beads might be ok. They're in Vallejo vials and the paint viscosity should cushion the blow. We'll see.

Rob

Didn't someone make little metal skulls to be used in paint bottles as mixers (as they used in their own paints)?

I thought it was Reaper but could not find them on their website.

I too used to use copper BBs and regretted it, as they corrode into the paints.

Most recently I've gotten away from shaking paints at all. I find stirring them to be much more effective at mixing the paint. This does cut me out from the brands in dropper bottles but so far that hasn't bothered me.

I've been a jeweler for 35 years . Never seen a rusty Haematite.

They do crack in signet stone form if given a hefty whack, but beads should be OK.

While Hematite is a naturally occurring gem stone,

The ones you see for sale in stores are almost all "cultured" (man made). As such, they are almost free of the fault lines of natural stones. In fact, they are the basic of a rather popular toy:
kvkdesigns.com/mahezset.html

Basically two highly magnetized hematite stone to toss into the air and let the magnetism pull together and the crack and buzz as they bounce off one another and are re-attracted by the magnetic force. I have heard the happen at least 100 times with one set of stones, and the force is much greater then you could get be typical shaking. If your paint jars are glass you might be able to brake the glass before you would brake one of these stone.

And as stones they are rather inert. Hematite is Fe2O3 so in already "rusted" (oxidized) and will not easily react any farther. So, sitting in paint should not affect them. (I would avoid using in metallic paint as this paint tends to be very unstable).

You might think about using the magnetized beads like these:
link

That way you could put one into the paint, shake it about, then use a second one to pull the bead out again, if you like. Also you could use it as a magnetic stir bar. See:
link

Anyway. I think these hematite beads may work quite well for paint mixing.

DyeHard:
The 15mm VSF Page.
15mmvsf.bagofmice.com/index.html

IttyBitty – Yes, Reaper puts little metal skulls in each of their paint pots. They affectionaly refer to them as "Grisly agitators"

I don't know if you can order them seperately anymore.

If you buy the Reaper empties, they come with the skulls.

I have paints with Hematite beads in them for 5+ years with no problems. hematite is essentially compressed 'rust', and it can't rust any more. :)

Nice to know about the hematite – but the stainless steel ball bearings probably cost less.

"Nice to know about the hematite – but the stainless steel ball bearings probably cost less."

$4.99 USD + tax Canadian for 48 6mm hematite beads
$11.00 USD for 50 1/4" s/s balls inc. shipping.

:)

I am almost ashamed to tell you my story.

Some time ago I had the same idea and bought some metal ball-bearings, added them to most of my acrylic paint collection and was at first very happy. Then the ball started to rust! And my paint collection was ruined – I know I should have realised this would happen or at the very least tested the idea, but no – I went for it.

Let this be a lesson to all TMPers.

In answer to the query, Hematite should be OK, keep us all informed of the results.

Tony
dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com

You didn't use STAINLESS STEEL ball bearings if they rusted. The stainless steel bearings won't rust. Now we all know that the Hematite beads are actually cheaper – even if they are Canadian prices!