FineScale Modeler – September 2019

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The next thing you need is a soda bottle that
flares just below the flange. Cut off the mouth
of the bottle about ¼ inch below the flange so
you get a little of the flare.

Next, it’s time to create a port to insert the
airbrush. The size will depend on what you use
as a grommet; I found one at a home-
improvement store that fit my airbrush and
had a groove around the circumference.

A filter inside the lid will prevent paint particles
escaping. You can make one from a thin layer
of kitchen sponge, scrubber, or cloth as I did.
Cut a circle of the material to fit inside the cap.

Using dividers or calipers, measure the outside

diameter of the neck just below the flange.

Mark a circle this size in the lid of your

container. Then, using a drill slightly smaller in

diameter, drill a hole. This hole needs to be

precise, so starting smaller allows you to

gradually increase the diameter to the marked

line with sandpaper wrapped around a dowel.

I measured the diameter of the grooved

portion and drilled a hole of that size in the

side of the container. Again, accuracy counts

here for a tight fit. The grommet easily pushed

through the opening and was held in place by

the groove.

The second bottle cap is used to seal the

container between uses; it is unaltered. Fumes

are always present when cleaning so use the

pot in a vented spray booth. I am also careful

about where I leave rags and containers to

avoid spontaneous combustion.

Now insert the bottle mouth into the hole in

the lid. It should slide through and pop back

into shape, but may require finessing. If the

hole is just the right size, the fit should be

pretty much self-sealing or you can run a bead

of silicone around the inside.

To cap the container, I prepared two soda

bottle caps. In one I drilled a series of small

holes to allow air to escape and prevent back

pressure building up while spraying cleaner

through the airbrush.

I found a small rubber stopper that fits the

grommet to seal that opening. There you have

it. Even if you have to buy the container this

can be built for under $2 and in an hour. FSM