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Inquiry about mixing by a small-scale paint store

I've spent countless hours in searching for a DIY paint dispenser of some sort on the web. Sadly, my research was fruitless. I own a small sized paint store in the Philippines and currently planning on investing in simple machinery which could make our paint matching and mixing services more reliable. Paint dispensing systems are way too expensive for me because of limited budget. I wonder if you have a better idea on how we could come up with a similar system based on existing high-tech ones, by means of using precision digital scales perhaps?

Another thing, is it really impossible for me to mix manually colourants in combination with latex mixing clear bases as was told by Pacific Paints, Inc. a local manufacturer of the Boysen brand.

I understand that colourants currently existing in the Philippines are way too unstable, with consistency of + or - 5. Given this, do you think it would be better for me to invest in high strength and more stable colourants like those made by Degussa?

Lastly, since we're a small company and in no capacity to buy imported colourants in bulk and have no prior experience with purchasing colourants abroad, is it legal for me to have a friend abroad to purchase colourants and have it shipped thru express couriers to us?

Sorry to ask too many questions, as we are currently trying to expand into a more complex market which include big real estate contractors. If you have to ask, if we have the capacity to fill their sundries... yes we do have, but unfortunately, we do have problems with getting the exact match due to many factors; metamerism, colourant problems and the likes...

Thank you for spending time reading this.

Peter Paul Alfonso
employee - Pasig City, Philippines
July 7, 2008

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July 16, 2008

Unfortunately, this is slightly out of my field of activity but in your position I would:
a) Purchase numerous plastic syringes (see www) Ú these are supplied in sizes from 1 Ú 5cc, 10cc, 25cc 50 cc and 100cc. there maybe one at 250cc. These could be washed and re-used several times before disposal.
As most mixing schemes are based upon dispensing volumetric quantities this idea may work for you - but no guarantees.

Your success will depend upon a good, quality supply of the pigment tinting materials. You could manufacture your own from the dry pigment and dispersing additives Ú however, consistent dispersion of the ingredients will require some expertise.
b) dependent upon the quantity you mix, a local engineering shop may knock up a suitable type of mixer
frame, electric motor, shaft and mixer head.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom