The Little World

I am benefitting today from the fact that this column automatically circulates out to our local social media network. One of my friends has seen the recent post regarding paint and has responded with what i needed to know.

He mentioned in a Facebook reply that many paints have more than just evaporation happening as they dry – some have chemocal reactions that amount to a setting of some parts of the paint. You initiate the reaction that starts this off by exposing the paint as you apply it and then on it goes, even if the portion you didn’t spray is re-bottled.

This can be modified by diluents or retarders but nevertheless the material you return to the fresh supply may degrade that bottle. As this has been something I’ve done for some time, I may have spoiled a number of containers of paint. It might be the explanation for the zinc chromate yellow paint that is so unappetizing.

I may just have to steel myself and toss the bottle – and replace it with a fresh Tamiya yellow-green which is nearly the same colour.

This daunting prospect notwithstanding, I’d like to tip the Little Workshop hat to my friend Scott for the advice. I owe him a free coat of yellow-green paint.