JeffTibbetts Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 So, the whole idea here is that I can leave my premixed paints for a while, right? And it's wet? In an enclosed space? Yeah... That doesn't always work out so well. I don't paint as often as I'd like, and I love my wet palette. That being said, if I leave it too long it gets moldy. We're talking just a few days here. I've read there are tricks you can use, but I can't seem to find any. I know starting with distiller water is good, but what else? Obviously bleach is often used to kill mold, but I don't think adding bleach to the water will do the paints any favors, because bleach. Seems like my problem's getting worse as well, as I'm sure it's well seeded with spores. I've cleaned it, but still. Ideas? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlson793 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Been having this issue myself. Reading over your assessment, however, gives me an idea to test out. I'll update in a day or so... (Okay, pre-updating now...) So, got to thinking about my idea (using a paper towel soaked in bleach, but taped to the inside top of the wet palette container), but without direct contact, it would probably not work on mold. Some brief research, and I'm testing two containers, each with the same paints (different manufacturers) in the same pattern. The first container is just straight tap water; the second is a 50/50-ish mixture of baking soda and tap water. Each had pics taken, was sealed, and I'll check in the next day or so. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3928140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teetengee Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 You dare question the blessings of Nurgle!!!In all seriousness, perhaps some sort of antifungal agent could be added to the water without harming the paints, alternatively, switch out the water every day if possible, even if you are not painting. Additionally, if you made your own, using materials that are very hard and inhospitible would probably help. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3928142 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaanbull Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Distilled water probably won't do the trick, the mold spores and source probably springs from elsewhere than your tap water. (Without Knowing anything about the tap sager in tour areal, excuse my ignorance) I was going to suggest that you washed it, but since you did that, change the sponge maybe? It might appear if you lick your pencil and add stuff through that process. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3928235 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I've heard, but not tried, several drops of window cleaner that contains ammonia in the water will help. Or a few drop of straight ammonia if you keep that stuff in the house. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3929844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stercus Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The mould issue is the only thing stopping me making a wet palette. I don't get to paint fir more than an hour or two a week, and the idea of fungus in my paints us just too nurgley for me... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3930027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGeils81 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I made one out of a good Tupperware container(airtight). I put paper towels in it, cut to fit, and topped with parchment paper. Just used tap (city)water. Last I checked, paint was still wet and there was no mold, had been about three months since I did any painting. Didn't smell or anything either. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3930132 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 I made one out of a good Tupperware container(airtight). I put paper towels in it, cut to fit, and topped with parchment paper. Just used tap (city)water. Last I checked, paint was still wet and there was no mold, had been about three months since I did any painting. Didn't smell or anything either. Be careful. The Black Templars around here don't take kindly to talk of witchcraft and sorcery. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3930177 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlson793 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Anyway, getting back to an experiment I ran couple months back (mainly because I forgot about it until I discovered said experiment while cleaning up earlier, finding it buried under a pile of shifted-out-of-the-way painting gear). I opened the two containers today. As a reminder, Container A was straight tap water while Container 2 had a 50/50 mix of tap water and baking soda. The tap water container had started to get moldy - it had a number of patches along one edge of the paper towel/parchment. The baking soda container had no such mold. Both had some browning of the paper towel where an edge had dried out, but no signs of mold in that area. Of special note, after emptying both containers, the tap water one had a distinct smell of the paints it had in it, while the baking soda one had no discernible smell at all. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3977156 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Very interesting. And we can be reasonably assured the baking soda doesn't mess with the paint too much? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3977916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlson793 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Unfortunately, after 2 months, the paints had dried out (as I said: buried and forgotten, and the containers used didn't have the best seal - need to invest in the second least expensive container next time), but the paints themselves didn't appear any different between the two sets. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302391-keeping-a-wet-palette-mold-free/#findComment-3978100 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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