Is there a good way to clean old bottles?

Callandor · Post by **Callandor** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:27 am

I would like to salvage some of my old paint bottles and reuse them to mix paint. Is the an easy way to clean the old, clumpy, dried paint out of them? I tried some thinner, but that didn't work all that well. Is there a solvant or something that would work better?

modeler1964 · Post by **modeler1964** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:54 am

Don't know what kind of paint you are using but Super Clean or Purple Power is available at walmart in gallon containers for less than 10 bucks. Try soaking them in it for 24 hours.
If its really stubborn try lacquer thinner but protect yourself from the fumes (respirator)

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:24 am

I soak mine overnight with some acrylic cleaner.

But that only works if you're painting w/acrylics.

Andrew Gorman · Post by **Andrew Gorman** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:01 pm

Lacquer thinner will usually do the trick. Put your old paint bottles in an old Mason jar, cover them with lacquer thinner, screw on the lid and soak for a couple of days. Fish out the bottles and they should only need a good rinsing. If you can find some "brush cleaner" at a paint store, it's even more effective because it has more methylene chloride. Both will dissolve plastic caps, are stinky/volatile/not great stuff to breathe.

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:47 pm

Yup. Lacquer Thinner should cut through most dried paints.

kenlilly106 · Post by **kenlilly106** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:15 pm

I'd dig out any large accumulations of paint first, it'll just make a mess when it melts from the lacquer thinner.

I've found that if there's just a little paint in the bottle or coating the glass, a good soak in Super Clean/Purple Power will take the paint right off, wear gloves when using this stuff, it can be hard on the skin.

Ken

Newbie Doobie · Post by **Newbie Doobie** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:04 pm

I soak mine in paint stripper for glass jars. I don't use plastic jars,so I can't help you there. If these are glass,soak them over night,then rince them out with cold water,but always wear rubber chemical resistant gloves - not the surgical type,but the industrial ones that you can get at any paint section of your local hardware,or Kmart store.

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:41 pm

Fire?

Newbie Doobie · Post by **Newbie Doobie** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:50 pm

Stu Pidasso wrote:Fire?

Oh yeah, I forgot !If all else fails -FIRE!!