Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Miken]

I have purchased 5ltrs of epoxy primer.
Experience many years ago of trying to pour out cellulose primer from a 5 ltr can into a small spraygun reminds me that although it went in, more went on the floor.
So,
What is the easiest and least messy way of decanting off small amounts, Say, a cupful and then measuring and mixing 4 -1 ratio
I have liberated a load of clean paper cups from the vending machines at work as a start.
Thanks
Mike

[mid]

when i used to do spraying in a small workshop we'd decant the thinners into a measuring jug. all paint was then mixed and thinned in paper cups before being put into the guns.

made it very easy to control and pour but the H&S guys didnt like it as it left the thinners open to the elements

[petermeachem]

That's a lot of primer, I only have 1.2l.
I bought 50 paint mixing cups. Nice and big and marked with scales to make the dilution easy.
My primer had settled well, I had to stir it a lot!
These were the ones I bought, I should have at least 40 left over
http://www.express-paints.co.uk/plastic-cups-50/

[Bitumen Boy]

It's maybe worth pointing out that all sorts of plastic bottles can be cut down into handy disposable funnels and jugs. You can't have too many old newspapers either

[colwyn500]

You can get a spout that clips onto the can lip. I can't trace it just now but one was available from KBS coatings (Rustseal) and well advised to be used as their paint is like superglue and any left on the rim seals it shut. Being an old skinflint , I use wide masking tape and create a sort of spout on the can and at least make sure the rim stays clean.

You could use a stainless-steel ladle to decant the paint like soup; it also serves as a measure for thinners if you're doing cellulose.

[Miken]

Thanks for the replies I have now ordered some graduated measuring cups and been given some large syringes as well.

[MikeEdwards]

I'm currently brush-painting small sections of my floor as I finish checking and/or replacing them, using a 2.5L can of red oxide primer. So as to not have that open or be dipping a brush in it, I decant a small amount into a jam jar to use. I've been using a tablespoon but it doesn't quite have the angle, so I got a small plastic ladle the other day which works very well. The only problem is the amount of paint lost when it sticks to the ladle, as I'm brushing it I can get a lot of it off, and if you're mixing with thinners you could pour it via the ladle to clean it.

As colwyn said, you might be better with stainless steel depending on whether your paint will attack a plastic one. A big syringe is also a good idea. I just got a small one of those to get air line oil into my very small plastic bottle that I use to pop a few drops into my air tools before and after use - the top diameter is about the size of a 5p, so no chance of pouring it without spillage.

[Bitumen Boy]

I use old treacle and syrup tins for small quantities of oil paints, they work well and are a handy size.

[ukdave2002]

I know the problem a full 5L can is difficult to pour, you can always ask the paint shop to put 2.5L into 2 x 5L cans, makes life much easier

If you are going to decant into other cans or use ladles to scoop it out, they must be thoroughly de-greased, the slightest contamination can spoil a paint job.

Dave

[JonV2]

I don't advise using a soup ladle to decant the paint; trying to sand out the pea and ham in the topcoat is a real bugger. (Well someone HAD to say it!)
_________________
Jon
1950 MkV Jaguar Saloon (On the Road)
1968 MGB
1959 XK150

[colwyn500]

[JonV2]

Ok guys - hands up who was trying to think of a way to get "Orange Peel" into the thread... (I was, and just did!)
_________________
Jon
1950 MkV Jaguar Saloon (On the Road)
1968 MGB
1959 XK150