Hello again, FNG here. I was reading my Tamiya bottle and it says to stir well and carefully before using. I usually shake up my Testors paints. Is it to a disadvantage to shake the tamiya bottles? What do some of you use to stir with?
Thanks in advance!

Always Stir! This mixes the pigment into the carrier, something which Shaking just never does well (no matter how hard or long you shake). I use the parts trees, when Im done with them, as stir sticks... you will never run out of these.

HTH
JC

If im not mistaken, shaking can also introduce air. which you dont want. I always stir also.

Always stir and as with full size paint cans use a flat stirrer - I use flat toothpicks, cut down looly sticks etc.

When you think you have stirred it enough stir it some more! When you lift the stirrer out of the paint the paint that is on the stirrer should be no thicker than the stuff in the bottle. Untill you have it thoroughly stirred you wont get the right colour 'cos it is the pigment that settles.

Flat paints take more stirring than gloss 'cos the flatting agent also settles.

Regards Dave :-)

I shake my bottles of Tamiya and Testors MM alike. I also stir them whenever long sitting causes separation of pigments and vehicles. I use the back end of a paintbrush to stir.

One word: Toothpicks!

I wipe them off on a paper towel and use again, and again until they fall apart.
also great for super glue, putty chores, pouring, and probably much more.

i put small screws/ bolts or nuts in my bottles and give them a shake. Ive found that this mixes the paints perfectley and cuts down on the time your doing it :-)

I drop a couple of .177 air gun BB's in the bottle or tin and use a vibrating back masseger to mix up the paint. Works like a charm.

Toothpicks, toothpicks and more toothpicks!