Practical Tips

How do you carry turp for plein air trips and not be worrying container leaking?

The best answer for this question for me is from Kathryn Townsend. Here is her email:

Hi Qiang--you will probably get a hundred responses to your question, but here is how I do it when traveling--a 3 part system:

1. This type of container works well for carrying clean mineral spirits (must be empty for the airline travel).
http://www.rei.com/product/695245

2. I also carry a plastic container that I got from Judsons to pour used spirits into. It will settle overnight, then pour back the clean stuff into the Holbein brush washer in the morning. Clean out the settled stuff as needed.
http://judsonsart.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=43

3. And the essential Holbein brush washer (the small one) -- this is what I use when painting. At end of day, pour what's left into the plastic container and clean out.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/holbein-metal-brush-washers/

Good luck!
Kathryn
http://www.KathrynTownsend.com

I use a mettle container for my turp as most of you do. It gets old and the gasket has worn out. I know I may find new gasket, but I am too busy to take care of it. In addition, the old paint cumulates at the bottom of the container. It becomes a nasty job to clean it every time. The reason I like Kathryn's solution is that it will keep the container clean all the time and never worry about worn out gasket and leaking. I think I will use a used water bottle to hold and reuse the dirty turp. It has a much smaller opening and sealing should not be a problem.