As title, since Tamiya jar is round without drop mouth, even with the mixing stick I have always found it difficult to drop paint to the dish, as the paint always leak along the edge, does anyone encounter the same issue as well? And how do you solve it? Thank you!

Hi LEUNG CHI HIM,

I poor my Tamiya while holding a toothpick on the edge of the jar rim so the paint flows down the toothpick and it gives me nice control of the amount. I always keep a paper towel to wipe the side of my jar no matter what. You can also use plastic pippets or large Medical syringe.

Cheers,
Gary

I usually use disposable pippettes. Another option i use are syringes with the thickest possible needles. I just cut off the sharp point using a dremel or you could file it down. That option would be good for precision and reusability. Also it tends to have less paint residue which is wasted.

I use a syringe for measuring all paint.

I'm with Gary in pouring it, but with an old paintbrush handle. Sometimes though I'lljust use a big old paintbrush and dip the bristles in and transfer it to the dish that way; the thing is that you often then want to mix it with some thinner or another color, and an old brush is the best thing for mixing paint in small amounts in a dish. Sticks just don't stir enough of it up, and it wears new brushes out.

I sometimes use a drinking straw. Put it in the paint than place your finger on top to keep the paint in than drop the paint by taking off your finger. It's the best homemade eyedropper I know.

I use a big medicine dropper with the gradients on the side for measurements.You can remove the bulb on the end and clean the tube part.......turkey baster?

Mike

I totally agree with Josh's comment. Not only is a great way to transfer paint, it also is a good way to control how much paint you actually use. I'm sure a handful of straws cut up would last years...

Here's a video I had on youtube way back in 2010 and then republished in 2013 due to Youtube killing the soundtrack (so it's a waste of time to watch) but if you just click forward to about 1:18 you'll see the handle/bottle trick others mentioned.

Super simple and no special tools/gimmicks needed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDnLoI70o-Y

I have been doing the same thing as Josh and Peter for years. It is a method that has worked well for me and a package of drinking straws is very cheap and lasts a long time.

Randy

I mix in a spare bottle. I just keep adding small amounts of paint, until I come up with the color I want. I thin it and set it aside for an airbrush session. If I run out, I do it again. It doesn't have to be exact, as the paint would show some signs of fading and shadows.

Mr hobby makes a mr bottle pourer , I think the # is gt51 . Goes on to the mr hobby paint bottles . Also fits tamiya bottles . Allows you to pour paint out of the bottle . But I just use an eye dropper closer to accurate than eye balling it .

Same here. I just get dropper bottles in bulk and premix paint similar to a vallejo model air stash. Aside from that i keep a logbook for listing color recipes which is more useful for gundams and such.

On a side note, does anyone know how long pre thinned paint can keep in an air tight container/bottle? I have a friend that manufactures paint and he said that usually as long as it is air tight it should last a very long time but he is not sure about hobby paints.