How long will a 50/50 mixture of water and white glue (or matte medium) last in a spray bottle before it starts to gum up the nozzle and a new batch must be made?
I’ve had a mixture that I made in a gallon jug for over a year. I add some heavy fishing weights to the jug so that I can mix it up (ala a rattle can). I’ve used a spray bottle for diluted glue. If you flush the sprayer with hot water after each use, that’ll keep the glue from gumming it up. I use a plain bottle cap to seal up the bottle when not in use.
Paints and glues need cleaning up after using their containers. Wipe off the Poly Scale and Floquil jar openings and outer necks, and clean inside the lids. You’ll really wish you had if you didn’t.
For spritzer/nozzles used to apply glue mixes, remove the nozzle/spritz head and immerse them in warm soapy water. Squirt the spritz heads clean until they run clear, spray six more shoots, and then screw shut the twist spray adjuster thingy. For pull-up or twist nozzles, just rinse thoroughly and place back on the bottles. Keep them upright.
The glue, itself, is aqueous, so as long as you have not added anything to (slowly) alter the chemical qualities of the glue, any water-based additives and the glue should keep quite nicely for years.
-Crandell
On the lighter side: Assuming your fishing weights are made of lead don’t let Big Brother know or they will put a recall out for all your ballasting and scenery work. Then the EPA will step in and ensure any materials are disposed of properly.[(-D]
Just kidding (I hope) of course. The weights or marbles of course sounds practical in keeping the mixture consistent over a period of time. A great thought for me to store for future use.
Bear in mind that if you mix it with tap water it could go bad. I mixed some MM with water in October and let it stand in a (sealed) bottle, I opened it during the X-mas holiday and it smelled BAD! I mixed a new batch with demineralised water and I test-smelled it now and it is okay.