[John long]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

Well one time .....I was painting at a shop with mostly black guys that I conciderd my friends and being a guy that loves a good laugh I stuck a paint strainer under my white head sock so I looked like a member of the KKK while painting the car ....some people have no sense of humor at all....I dont think I'll ever do that again....Well .....not in Ga anyways....

LOL.... I am going to church now.... Will pray for you.....

[deadbodyman]

throw a dolla in the basket for me...It works for the Italians....
I haven't been in a church since I was 12yr old....can ya tell?

[496CHEVY3100]

Stir sticks ?? I thought they were panel alibnment tools

[carolinacustoms]

Originally Posted by 496CHEVY3100

Stir sticks ?? I thought they were panel alibnment tools

They are actually multi-purpose tools, panel alignment, mock up shims, sanding blocks, paint mixing, paint measuring (cut notches or use a pen to make marks at 4:1:1 or what ever mix you are using which I love especially for primer because you can mix a VERY small amount), wedges, fire starters, and give me a little bit I'll think of a few more

Kelly

[John long]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

throw a dolla in the basket for me...It works for the Italians....
I haven't been in a church since I was 12yr old....can ya tell?

I would be glad too. There are folks in church who have no love in their heart for God I am sure. The scripture says man was created for God's pleasure so I hope it pleases him that I went to church today to say thanks. By no means do I think going to church makes me a Christian or buys me a ticket to heaven. Only His love and grace can do that. I am indeed thankful for both though.

Reading Kelly's post made me realize that stir sticks are indeed the original multi-tool.....and they are free.

John L

[MARTINSR]

You know what's funny, I didn't use wood stir sticks in years and years. I have now do because of the mixing cups with the mixing ratios on them. But for years and years I used the metal ones with the mixing ratios and even before then I used a plain metal one that was cleaned every time. Honestly, I don't believe I had a single wood stick for the 13 years I had it. Damn, I now after reading these ideas I wish I would have, I missed out on some good tricks.

Brian

[carolinacustoms]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

You know what's funny, I didn't use wood stir sticks in years and years. I have now do because of the mixing cups with the mixing ratios on them. But for years and years I used the metal ones with the mixing ratios and even before then I used a plain metal one that was cleaned every time. Honestly, I don't believe I had a single wood stick for the 13 years I had it. Damn, I now after reading these ideas I wish I would have, I missed out on some good tricks.

Brian

Yeah they are handy even if you don't use them for stirring lol. I used probably 20-30 of them when putting the front end back on the 56 we just finished a few weeks ago. We just started the bolts in everything and started using the sticks as shims and spacers under the radiator support, between the support and fenders, at the back of the fenders etc until we got everything lined up and nice gaps. Once we got it all lined up I used regular shims and tightened everything down. I like using them because they are easier to add or remove than the metal shims and are less likely to scratch anything until you get it looking good, then just use real shims to get the same thickness and replace the sticks. Plus I have used them for door gap spacers. Cut them in short pieces (about 2" or so depending on how much curve the panel edge has) and tape them to the panel with a piece of 3/4 tape across them to hold them to the door. works pretty well as a starting point and it keeps you from banging the edges of the panels together and chipping the fresh paint. Just a few ideas that you may or may not have ever used.

Kelly

[Lizer]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

OK ,I do throw the stir sticks away.............AFTER, I use both ends, and those are free so mabee I'm not JUST cheap...I've yet to find a second use for the strainers though....

You say you need a second use for the strainers?

I keep an empty gallon can around that previously would have held wax and grease remover. When I clean out my gun, all the lacquer thinner runs back out into the bucket I'm holding it over. So then I pour the used lacquer thinner through an old paint strainer into the gallon container. Which is what I'll then use for cleaning my gun out the first time around, the next time I use it.

Also glad to know I'm not the only one who reuses the mixing cups. I finally labeled mine '2k' and 'epoxy', etc so I know which ones to use for what. In fact I've even got it down to a science as to how much material has to be left in the bottom of the cup with the stick sitting in it, so when it hardens I can pull the stick out and everything comes out of the bottom in a nice chunk, like a cancer popsicle.

[DanielC]

I reuse mixing cups, stir sticks, and even the used strainers for my dirty solvent, used in first rinse.
The way I look at it is this. The paint sticks, and mixing cups are cheap, until you need one Saturday afternoon, just after the paint store closed. Then suddenly it makes a lot of good sense to clean them so you can reuse them.

[deadbodyman]

I painted a car on the weekend with one strainer,I just kept rinsing it out,used it for the clear too...Then later I found Lowes sells strainers in a 5 pac, for emergencies ,they're crappy but they'll get you by

[496CHEVY3100]

I will reuse strainers for the paint and clear for a paint job as long as there is no build up on the Outside of strainer ,it could flake and get in cup ,curse ,curse .