Gotta be a better way

[Mark Julicher]

I would like to hear any tribal knowledge for mixing Polyspray
It is a PITA getting the aluminum sludge off the bottom of a Polyspray can mixed into solution prior to shooting.

Each time we open a new can of Polyspray we have been decanting half of the gallon into an empty can and then attacking the sediment with a stout paint stirring stick. Grab a gob of sludge, put it into the can with the decanted solvent and stir-stir-stir. Repeat process until all sediment is thoroughly mixed. It takes 20 minutes or more each time we open a gallon.

I suppose I could go to a paint store and beg them to run it through the shaker, but I don't know if that would work very well. Somebody has got to have a better way!

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Gotta be a better way

I would like to hear any tribal knowledge for mixing Polyspray
It is a PITA getting the aluminum sludge off the bottom of a Polyspray can mixed into solution prior to shooting.

Each time we open a new can of Polyspray we have been decanting half of the gallon into an empty can and then attacking the sediment with a stout paint stirring stick. Grab a gob of sludge, put it into the can with the decanted solvent and stir-stir-stir. Repeat process until all sediment is thoroughly mixed. It takes 20 minutes or more each time we open a gallon.

I suppose I could go to a paint store and beg them to run it through the shaker, but I don't know if that would work very well. Somebody has got to have a better way!

There is it's called "Stewart Systems".

Dan

[VictorBravo]

Re: Gotta be a better way

The Stits Poly-Fiber manual actually mentions the "double action paint shaker" down at the paint store.

In past times, I have scraped out the aluminum sludge and mixed it with MEK until it is a little more liquid than goop, and then mixed it back in the can.

[astjp2]

Re: Gotta be a better way

Go to your local paint supply house, they have a mixer that you can use with your cordless drill to mix the Poly spray. They even have a nice pour spout. Tim

[wlas]

Re: Gotta be a better way

I have a paint shaker and I leave it on for about 10 min and its ready to go. The other day I had a gal of poly brush in it and was not paying attention and walked away from the machine and was on the far side of the hangar. It started to make a funny sound and by the time I ran to it, it was to late, the can went flying through the air and landed on its top, only to have the top come off and the whole gal of brush all over the floor, now I put bungees around the cage it sits in, so that doesn't happen again.

[Buell Powell]

Re: Gotta be a better way

You might try Sherwin Williams - they have done some for me before. An egg beater from a mixer on a drill works pretty well too.
Buell

[flybikefarm]

Re: Gotta be a better way

Try a dry wall mixer.

[Ryan]

Re: Gotta be a better way

I have taken mine down to Home Depot.

Ryan

[Dick Smith]

Another way...

I searched on the web using: "homemade paint shaker"...came up with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DFNInObnKk

Dick

[astjp2]

Re: Gotta be a better way

This is similar to what I have been using, HI-TECH in anchorage and fairbanks have them, cost about 20.00 each. I just hook up a drill to them and mix away for 1-5 minutes depending on how long the can has been sitting. You should also turn the can over once a week to keep it mixed....per a professional painter. Tim

http://www.cyclonemixers.com/

[3Dreaming]

Re: Gotta be a better way

Take care using a drill over that can of paint, or you may have a booming good time. I use a regular paint shaker. These covering supply companies need to come up with an inexpensive paint shaker that can be purchased or rented. Tom

[astjp2]

Re: Gotta be a better way

If you get the professional paint stirer, it is sealed, it has a thumb trigger with a pour spout and a relief hole as you pull it open the relief hole opens and then it opens the pour spout. Its not quite as accurate as using a 60cc syringe but its no mess and mixes good enough to get the silver off the bottom. Tim

[Steve Morgan]

Re: Gotta be a better way

If you know you are going to be using the poly-spray soon I would turn the full can upside down one day, then flip it back upright the next.... so on so forth to keep the sludge from being unreasonable. The right before you are going to spray the stuff, take it to the local paint store... it is worth the effort!

[bashibazouk]

Re: Gotta be a better way

You'll note, too in the manual that Poly Fiber recommends flipping the cans every month anyway.

[Laz]

Re: Gotta be a better way

Champion Aircraft lost an entire wing of their factory in 1972 using an electric drill to mix paint. Use a shaker or borrow one. It not worth the risk. I was delivivering Citabrias for them just after it happened.