First of all, I cannot take credit for this tip, but on the other hand, cannot give proper credit either because I'm not real sure where I picked it up.

Secondly, I think most of us automatically due this anyway, so it might no be much of a tip, but to others not using it, will be a time saver.

When painting, especially smaller pieces not requiring much paint, don't even bother putting a small dap on your pallet, just unscrew the cap after shaking the bottle, and use the paint accumalated underneath the cap, the cap itself becomes your little pile of useable paint. Great for doing touchups or when the straight bottle color is needed. For example, I automatically do all my eyes this way, white, iris color, black, then the white dot.

Besides, very easy clean-up....just screw the cap back on the bottle.

However, I do not do this when mixing, then I pour out a drop or two.

........Thanks for reading and allowing me an opportunity to assist in your ability to enjoy our mutual hobby,....carving.....

Bill

[JerryH]

Just another tip when painting. I save all screw on caps from water, juice, milk, soft drink containers, etc. When I need to mix a little paint I use one and then throw it away...no cleanup needed. I usually add about a dozen a week to my collection, so I always have plenty.
Jerry

[MrDantastic]

Excellent suggestions, I can start adding to my sour cream and cool whip container collection!

[Marci MN]

Another tip I've picked up along the way. If your acrylic bottles of paint have gotten dry chunks in it, but still has usable paint, cut a square of nylons and stretch it over the hole and rescrew the cap on. It will filter out the chunks when you squease to get paint out. Just change the nylon square every now and then to keep fresh nylon screen in there.

[MDWine]

I collect those small cups/lids that Arby's and other fast food restaurants provide for ketchup and such. I snag one or two extra when there. I use them for paint, glue, "part keepers", all kinds of things.

[Bob_in_TN]

I think I posted this before, forgive me if it's a repost, here goes. To hold larger quantities of mixed paint I bought disposable communion cups, I think I paid $15 for a 1000 of them. I made a raised tray with holes to drop the cups into. Works great! Now I have to make sure that I live another 100 years to use all of the cups.

Bob

[woodcarver55555]

If you are mixing colors and need to save some for use later in the painting of say a bird carving, I use the plastic cans 35mm film comes in. Most of the time if you ask at the 1hr photo in the drug store( when they are not real busy ) they will fill a small bag up for you. They throw them away anyway. They are air tight.

[GILLY]

Originally Posted by MrDantastic

Excellent suggestions, I can start adding to my sour cream and cool whip container collection!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM........................COO OOL WHIP!!!!

[AlArchie]

I've found that those little plastic "medicine cups" they use in the hospital, ER, nursing homes, etc. make excellent mixing cups for paint. You can buy them by the hundred for about 4 bucks in the pharmacy depts. They can be rinsed and reused several times and then just tossed. .04/each ain't tooooooexpensive.

Al

[Anthony Filetti]

...While I do something similar to Bob_in_TN...one other thing to do is to smear some of the paint on the top of the cap of your paints to make colors more readily identifiable...my two cents...