Money Savers – Paint Tubes

To save or use the very last skerrick of paint, try the following hints:

The tips for metal tubes below are really only suitable for adults to perform.

  • ACRYLIC PAINT – When a tube of acrylic paint is finished there are two solutions. If it is a soft plastic tube then squeeze some air out of the tube and then place tip in water and allow the water to siphon up into the tube. If a stronger tube, spray some water into the tube using a water spray gun set on  direct stream. With either method shake vigorously an use the paint for washes or for mixing.
  • WATERCOLOUR AND GOUACHE TUBES – A hardened, or seemingly finished, gouache or watercolour (image above) tube can be carefully cut open (see Oils below) and the dried pigment placed in a small jar or into the palette. Add a little water and the pigment will soften.
  • OIL PAINT – There is usually quite a bit of oil paint remaining in a ‘finished’ tube. Wear rubber gloves, and apron or smock. Cut the base seam off the tube and with an old pair of scissors carefully cut up the sides of the tube and roll open. Cut the tube prior to a painting session as the paint will only be usable for a day or so.

A Little Spelling Tip – How many different spellings have you seen for the paint ‘gouache’?  The easiest way I found to remember the correct arrangement of the vowels is to think about what a pain it is to remember LOL!! Go – you – ache … you’re welcome 🙂

 

 

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