"another agitator question" Topic

Hi all!

odd question for the group brain;

I've had several pots of metallic paints gum up / dry out
quicker with agitators than the ones without…

I use zinc fishing weights, trying to get that lovely but heavy metallic pigment mixed thoroughly

has anyone else noticed metallic paints doing this?
(Might just be my bad luck and non-causative correlation)

Thanks!

Chris the Tall

I have found that metallic colors have a tendency to just go-off.

Adding another metal to a paint with metal in it is just asking for problems.

I suggest you use a ceramic of glass bead.

Or if you want to go high-class, a plastic coated magnetic stir bar:
They come in tons of sized and shapes:
https://www.stirbars.com

And can be had from Amazon for convenience:
link

They even have a reasonably priced stir plate if you want to go all the way:
link

DyeHard, thank you for the stir plate link! Been looking for an affordable unit…

Now I need to decide between that, and a shaker which runs on a camshaft (no ceramic mixer to add to each bottle…). Cheers!

DyeHard, thank you!

good info!

Might try a BB and a drop or two of thinner + shake the container like crazy.

I have never used agitators. Don't see the need. A good shake or stir does the job.

NOLA Chris, when the virus allows us to socialize more give me a ring. I live in Mandeville. I don't know if we have ever gamed together previously but .

I have a saws-all. Best agitator I ever owned!

There are vortex mixers, which literally shake the test tube/bottle, with exceptional speed, and force. These are the best: they have a flat, rubber/foam disc top; you press the end of the paint bottle onto the disc, and it rotates around a small arc, very fast. They are used in laboratories to mix samples in test tubes, in a matter of five seconds! Here is a video of the $50 USD model I am looking at: YouTube link (Jump to 4:52 for the really interesting demonstration of just how effectively this machine can mix separated paints!)

Only issue is their price: typically $120 USD+! Found some for $50 USD + shipping, which is very tempting… The unit featured in the video is nearly identical to the $50 USD model I found. These can also be used with aerosol spray cans: hold it at an angle, and press the bottom onto the disc, to spin it up. Need to save up my allowance money -- $50 USD + shipping is not too bad for what they can do. Cheers!

UPDATE: Found this unit, for $38.99 USD + $4.99 USD S/H, so $43.98 USD, delivered! Will post here, after I receive it, and after I give it a try. Double-Cheers!

Sgt Slag please let us know how it went. This could be an engineering preventative for Vallejo elbow.

Will do! Looking forward to using it on spray cans! I soak them in warm water, but I HATE shaking them! These vortex mixers are amazing… Spendy, but I hate shaking bottles, and cans.

I have an expensive jar of Gold paint, which this will be perfect for. The gold pigment is heavy, and it settles quickly. Cheers!

Zinc is acting as a sacrificial anode. link It is reacting with the other metal in a liquid.
DyeHard is correct. No metal with other metal. Use a non-metalic, i.e. the ceramic or glass bead, or a non-metal stirrer e.g. a cocktail stirrer.

Sgt Slag; I have a vortex mixer, but the metallics are so thick that they still need an extra "oomph"

I shake the bottle until I hear the agitator start moving, then use the vortex mixer
(I have vallejo elbow already, trying to keep it calm!)

Walking Sailor; thank you! I need to find some heavy glass or ceramic beads then!