Mixing Blackjack #57

[jenn-]

I've read in numerous threads that it can be a pain to mix. We have a paint mixer for the drill, but I'd be more comfortable with my husband using it. Is it easy to tell when it is properly mixed? Once it is mixed with the drill, will it separate pretty quickly or should I be able to use it a couple of days without using the drill again (aka just stir it a little bit with a stir stick)?

 

[JackE]

It's really like stirring any other kind of paint, it's just a bit thicker. And the bucket is a bit bigger (4.75gal) I used a scrap piece of wood to stir mine. A drill powered paint mixer would be a nice thing to have. To me, it is easy to see when it's properly mixed. If I was going to use it over a period of days, I would stir it before use every time, just like any other paint like product.

 

[jenn-]

It's really like stirring any other kind of paint, it's just a bit thicker.  And the bucket is a bit bigger (4.75gal)   I used a scrap piece of wood to stir mine.  A drill powered paint mixer would be a nice thing to have. To me, it is easy to see when it's properly mixed.   If I was going to use it over a period of days, I would stir it before use every time, just like any other paint like product.

I have a choice between a drill powered paint stirrer or a concrete stirrer. They look similar but the concrete stirrer is heavier metal. Do you think the paint one will do the job? My biggest concern is having to mix it with the drill after the first coat. Would hand stirring be enough at that point?

 

[JackE]

Use the heavy duty one. How many coats are you planning? I applied just one heavy coat. I poured out a big puddle, and shoved it around with a paint roller on a stick. And if you are going to be using it a day or so later, mix it with the drill. That would be the easy way to do it. You can easily clean everything with a hose, so why not.

 

[jenn-]

Use the heavy duty one.  How many coats are you planning?  I applied just one heavy coat.  I poured out a big puddle, and shoved it around with a paint roller on a stick.  And if you are going to be using it a day or so later, mix it with the drill. That would be the easy way to do it.   You can easily clean everything with a hose, so why not.

It is looking more and more like one thick coat might have to do. At this point I am down to only a little more than a day until heading to the beach for a week. I want the floor back down (it's OBS so I had to pull it after my husband cut it so it wouldn't get rained on) and painted before we leave. Then a couple of doors and we are done.

 

[jenn-]

I am so glad I had that mixer. There is NO way I was getting that stirred in by hand. I think I put it on right, but it got tacky on the top quickly and I stupidly rolled over it so it is a bit lumpy in places. I also should have thought to do it from a ladder then standing on the coop floor. I totally didn't even notice that it was dribbling down the side onto my white edge. Now my white edge is green.

I might have to pour a little bit more on the lumpy areas before we leave in hopes to smooth it out.

 

[jenn-]

Uh oh. I just went to check and the top of the surface is forming cracks. Any suggestions?

 

[pfields]

It didn't work well for our coop floor. The floor felt like thousands of splinters lifted up after it dried so we just put a cheap vinyl flooring over it. I covered that with wood shaving.

 

[jenn-]

Today I poured some more on in a much thinner layer and spread it with a plastic putty knife like thing (well honestly I think it was an edging tool for painting but...). I'm hoping that it filled in the cracks that formed. My only guess is that it didn't warm up fast enough as the only area that was really cracking was the part that is already covered. The area that is exposed for now (had to wait for the floor before we could roof it), didn't really crack. I waited until this afternoon so that the sun was already shining on the inside part (no doors yet) before I put this coat down. In other news, I'm out of hardware cloth with 10ish feet left that has to be wired in.