I recently purchased a bunch of LDPE Low density polyethylene dropper bottles to transfer paint from jars into for easy airbrush dispensing. Tamiya and Model Master water/alcohol acrylic paints seem to do fine in these bottles but oil Enamels and Alclad II appear to evaporate the solvents through the bottles drying out the paints. I got sample bottles in MDPE and HDPE; I’m now conducting an experiment where I put the same paint into each type bottle, marked the level of the fluid so I can monitor which ones evaporate or if all do. Thankfully I only transferred a limited number of paints so far.
Have any of you guys done the dropper bottle transfer? If so, what are your experiences with it?
I use dropper bottles quite a bit, but I never put paint in them, just solvents. Things like water and Tamiya acrylic thinner seem to be OK, but certain solvents do seem to evaporate over time. I think that is because my dropper bottles have a less than perfect seal.
I’ve experienced the same, and have my eyes open for some glass dropper bottles to see if that might make a difference.
Odd timing of this post, I just grabbed my plastic dropper bottle of acetone yesterday and noticed the bottle crazed and empty.
If anyone can confirm that a glass dropper bottle works, that’d be great. I wonder if the solvent fumes attack the rubber squeezy thing? I’d think yes?
Greg, I use glass dropper bottles for 91% Iso and it doesn’t evaporate. Acetone is pretty hot though, and might be a problem…only one sure way to find out, right? [6] Good luck and please let us know the results!
I bought a bunch of 10 & 15 ml LDPE bottles real cheap on eBay a couple years ago. The first thing I did was put a lacquer thinner in one of them and marked the fluid level. I couldn’t detect any decrease in the level after a week. I’ve stored various paints and thinners in them and have had zero problem.
I had half a bottle of Testors Airbrush thinner evaporate while it was in a dropper bottle. Half a bottle of Alclad II evaporated too. I can actually smell the enamels through the bottles. The manufacturer said to try PET bottles. I’ve got some of those on the way for testing. I am glad I saved the Alclad bottles but I really wish I didn’t throw away all the enamel bottles that I emptied. Testors enamel bottles are just a pain to use because of the paper seals. I’d switch away from them but they are easy to get and the color range is really good.
I’ve had the same problems with the plastic dropper bottles. It seems water based products do fine.
However solvents do not. Acetone, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, etc evaporate.
Oh how I wish I would have kept a few boxes of the square glass reagent dropper bottles our schools chemistry department tossed back in the 80’s. Brand spanking new.
I’m temporarily keeping my solvents in the round Tamiya paint bottle. Not as convenient but stuff doesn’t evaporate
Look for the lab grade ones. They have the red/orange squeeze bulb. These are made of a material that does exactly that, they resist solvents, bases, and acids.