FineScale Modeler: Decanting Spray Paint for use in your airbrush

In this installment of Scale Model Basics, we show you how to decant spray paint. Decant is a pretty wonky word, but basically, you're spraying the paint out of the pressurized can and capturing it in a container. Why? So you can use the spray paint for airbrushing, of course!

00:47 Supplies to decant spray paint
01:27 A bit about safety
02:00 Prepare the reservoir and spray can
03:31 Let's decant!
04:31 Allow the paint to gas-out

Thanks for watching and happy modeling!

[mitchellambrose]

This came at the right moment, I am planning to use spray paint in my new airbrush. Thank you for this useful information! 👍

[kosh]

i have been fed up of making nothing but a nasty mess when tryng to decant spray paint, untill i watched and tried this method, the only mess i had was the tape around the nozel when removing it. Big thankyou for sharing this, its saved me time and costs, and given me mess free. Again Thankyou.

[chuchuchip]

I guess it pays to watch videos on what you know about. I have not tried decanting paint yet (I find more colors in bottles than in spray cans). This was the 1st video I've seen (and have seen many) that mentions letting the paint sit to degas. I did not know this! Never saw the "cover the bottle" step either. Thanks for the information.

[RobotJeeg]

Very good! I knew that the paint is initially full of gas but it's the first time I see it in action

[friktionrc]

Thank you so so much for making this. No idea how it came up in my feed, but glad it did. I’ve been getting used to spray painting Rc shells and recently got myself a ‘wireless’ airbrush. I’ve got a few jars of paint specifically for the airbrush, but as I still have and use spray cans I want to make use of those with my airbrush too…you have just opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me.
Well done, many thanks
A greatful ‘newbie’ 😂
Ps liked and subscribed 🙏😎🤟🇬🇧🇺🇸🇱🇰

[martinazariancriminaldefen]

This an excellent educational video. One of the most frustrating things about modeling is finding a bottled paint to match spray paint. This technique solves the problem. No more guess work. Decant and use just like bottled paint. Thank you.

[deelee]

Awesome video. Can you please do a video demonstrating how to deal with resin parts in cutting, sanding and painting them with safety in mind. As a beginner resin is daunting and scary. Thank you for the brilliant content.

[EvilEye]

Very helpful! Might try this out; I've been content just decanting a very small amount of paint into a plastic cup "on the go" and then pouring it into my airbrush, which in my experience cuts out the degassing time entirely, but this looks far more efficient.

[mikejungferman]

Gloves help for sure, I've tried cutting the can and pouring out the paint in jars, but you leave a lot of paint in the can, so no good, I've tried this way just without gloves and straws, so I'm gonna give it another shot, no pun intended, thanks for the video

[blackthorne]

Well explained, and thanks for the safety tip.

[johnagorman]

Exactly what i needed to know. Thank you!

[nmmlo]

Excellent tip! Thanks for sharing the video.

[georgewilliamssr]

Once it is done degassing. Do you need to add thinners or oils to it for long term storage? Or can you just put the lid on it as is and it won't dry out???

[josephdemarco]

Can we use a water seal to allow vapo out and keep air out?

[danngrant]

Just a thought but could you swap out the top with a WD40 nozzle and use the supplied straw?

[davew]

Thanks for another great video. A tip is if decanting paints or primers from the same manufacture, example Krylon, try modifying the spray nozzle so it can be used again. I use a Dremel to hollow out the inside of plastic spray nozzle to snuggly fit the drinking straw. If you do this right it stays firmly in place and doesn’t require tape, and after use can be cleaned and ready for the next decant. Krylon Colormax primer plus paint, either black, gray, or white as long as it is matte or flat finish, Thinned with acetone, is my go to primer that can be decanted and airbrushed. It’s Very thin, grips like crazy, sandable after 24 hours, and inexpensive

[aurfalien]

I've seen some shake the can prior to decanting and others not. Which is preferred?

[PlasticImaginationWorkshop]

Great video and "how to". I have see a lot of folks do this the wrong way and your process is spot on. Thanks for making this video, looking forward to seeing more of these. Have a great day. -David

[goforitpainting]

It is a very interesting video. Thank you!

[Dinglezz]

Try this at your own risk. I take full cans and make a small puncture hole in the top dome. Once the air is out you can put a small screw to seal and keep.