What's wrong with my Vallejo paints?

[Sunjester]

I am finding these ***ing dropper bottles useless. I give the paint a good shake, unscrew the cap to dollop some on my pallet and the stuff oozes out all over the shop before I have even chance to turn the bottle over. I am wasting soooo much paint when I just need a small amount.

Any suggestions please guys?

[Ruire]

I've had this happen once or twice. Seemingly the recommended method is to roll the bottle between your hands for a while - as otherwise you just end up with medium loaded into the nozzle, ready to spill everywhere. I've started doing this recently and I haven't had any issues since.

[zemjw]

I've had this happen once or twice. Seemingly the recommended method is to roll the bottle between your hands for a while - as otherwise you just end up with medium loaded into the nozzle, ready to spill everywhere. I've started doing this recently and I haven't had any issues since.

Is that before, after or instead of shaking? I've had the problem as well recently. always with the same colours.

[jeffreythancock]

Shaking will help resuspend the solids that settle to the bottom.  After shaking, twist the bottles between your hands upside down or sideways to get the solids and resin medium mixed. 

Since I bought an ultrasonic stirrer, I just use that and add some Vallejo matte medium, Vallejo thinner, or distilled water to thin it out.  Let the device shake it for 30-45 seconds and all is well!

Adding a stainless steel or ceramic bearing or bead will also help when shaking and mixing.  I've recovered 10+ year old bottles of Vallejo that had not gone completely dry using these techniques! 

I am not aware of any paint that requires no maintenance or mixing, including spray cans (shake before using), craft paints, or even household latex paint.  Paint stirrers were created and sold for a reason.

Is that before, after or instead of shaking? I've had the problem as well recently. always with the same colours.

[Sunjester]

Thank you for the tips, I give rolling the bottles between my hands a try. I've been painting over 40 years and I know that all paints need mixing once in a while, especially if they have been sitting for a bit, but with the old style unscrew/flip-up lids the paint doesn't ooze out like a dozy Vesuvius!

[tomrommel1]

Get a paint shaker . You get these on Amazon , they are supposed to be used for nail polish . Ad a stainles steel bed into the bottle and use the shaker. works a treat.

https://www.amazon.de/ES-Touch-Modus-Umlaufbahndurchmesser-Vortex-Sch%C3%BCttelmixer-Labortestr%C3%B6hrchen/dp/B07M6JVJFN/ref=sr_1_9?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2Y5ZQHNTOQCB4&keywords=farbmischer&qid=1649400638&sprefix=farbmischer%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-9

Thats the one I use sorry its the german Amazon

[Cubs]

If it's been sitting a while I pull the little dropper bit off and stir it about with the end of a paintbrush, then put the dropper and lid back on for a quick shake. It's a pain, but it does work.

[SteveBurt]

Storing the bottles upside down works for me

[Shahbahraz]

I've got one of the paint shakers from Amazon. Makes a huge difference. Certain Vallejo paints seem to separate very quickly, it fixes this.

[Sunjester]

Thanks gentlemen, problem appears solved by rolling the bottles after shaking. I think I have identified the original cause of my problem. By just shaking the bottles I was depositing paint in the dropper, trapping air in the bottle. When I unscrewed the lid there must have been sufficient difference in pressure inside the bottle that the trapped air forced the paint in the nozzle out.

[jeffreythancock]

Yes, I usually tap the bottle bottom on the painting table before opening to settle the paint.  I also keep a straight pin handy to clear clogged droppers that occur when I put the top back on with air trapped in the bottle and let it sit.  I find it pays to wipe the dropper off if I'm not using it again soon.

[Captain Blood]

Storing the bottles upside down works for me

That’s what I do. That way you only get the thick pigment, not the thin carrier medium. Dilute the thick stuff with water. Off you go.

That said, even then, I find all dropper type bottles have a tendency to ooze when you take the bottle top off.