Shop Tricks

[Travelover]

Another free tip - for keeping paint from skimming if it sets for a long time. After use, store the paint can upside-down. The skim will occur at the bottom of the can, leaving fresh paint "on top" when you use it again.

49T&C

I do this too, but always use wide masking tape to double seal the can. If you have even a tiny leak, it makes one heckuva mess.

 

[Workstead]

Workstead,
You and I must have read the same magazine as I've been doing the same for about that long too.
Smiley

Are you "that" old?

Clem

 

[RedDirt]

Another free tip - for keeping paint from skimming if it sets for a long time. After use, store the paint can upside-down. The skim will occur at the bottom of the can, leaving fresh paint "on top" when you use it again.

49T&C

Hmmm. This sounds good in theory but how do you mix the settled paint against the soft skinned "bottom"? Open the can and pour the liquid contents into another container and then scrape the settled pigment off the lid into the new mix container?

I used to lay a piece of Saran Wrap on top of the paint in a partially used can. This "usually" keeps the air off the paint surface and prevents excessive skinning. But it is messy to remove the wrap even with latex gloves.

 

[BigE_]

I used to lay a piece of Saran Wrap on top of the paint in a partially used can. This "usually" keeps the air off the paint surface and prevents excessive skinning. But it is messy to remove the wrap even with latex gloves.

Bloxygen works well in this application, but at $11 per bottle, it gets expensive.

You can make your own with vinegar and baking soda. Mix just a little bit together in a 2 cup liquid measuring cup and then "pour" off the resulting gases. They are heavier than air and will flow down into the can.

-Steve

 

[RedDirt]

Thanks Steve. I've wanted to try Bloxygen but never wanted to spend the $'s. I'll try the vinegar and baking soda the next time the situation presents itself.

 

[BigE_]

All Bloxygen is just simply argon gas. The baking soda and vinegar produces a different gas (CO2 I believe). Anyway, if you have a mig welder, you can also just use a shot of gas from that.

Bloxygen species it only works on oil based finishes, not water based...

 

[smiley]

Are you "that" old?

Clem

Sure am. I was stuck in Japan during the war and it was join up with them or get my head chopped off, so I joined their air force and became a Kamikazi pilot. Flew 24 successful missions before it ended!!!
Saranoya,
Smiley

 

[Workstead]

Sure am. I was stuck in Japan during the war and it was join up with them or get my head chopped off, so I joined their air force and became a Kamikazi pilot. Flew 24 successful missions before it ended!!!
Saranoya,
Smiley

Hey Smiley,

What is the definition of a successful mission for a Kamikazi pilot?

Clem

 

[smiley]

Hey Smiley,

What is the definition of a successful mission for a Kamikazi pilot?

Clem

Well, I really need to qualify that successful statement. Every time we'd get almost to the target, my engine would start sputtering so being the tinkerer that I am, Would naturally take it back to the base to tune it up. You really wouldn't want to go on a Kamikazi mission with an engine running poorly would you? It would cast a bad light on the Japanese air force. The funny part was that apparently everybody but me was reassigned after each mission, because none of the others ever came back to the same base. Never could understand that. Maybe their engines sputtered too but they kept on and disgraced the air force so they were demoted???
PS: I am very fluent in Japanese. Toyota-- Mitsubishi--Hello Joe, whadda ya know, just got back from Tokoyo--chop suey!!! Oh, excuse that last one, that's Chinese. Must be a carry over from my time with the Flying Tigers.

 

[Scotty370]

Buy your 5 gallon plastic pails from your local 'real' Donut Shop! Not Tim Horton's etc. I get them for 50 cents w/ the tops! Beats HD or Lowes at 3-5$'s. Plus they're "Food Grade" if you want to 'Brine' a turkey and such..........