DIY Airbrush / Spray Gun Cleaning Basin from a Gallon Can

If you Airbrush or use a spray gun it's nice to have a cleaning basin to use so you don't lose parts. For that matter, this simple DIY project can be used for cleaning any small item. You may have seen them before but since I made another one today I thought I'd share it for those that haven't.

Very simply for those unfamiliar with this idea, we're making a cleaning basin from an empty unlined one gallon metal can. Which you'll need an empty one such as this to make one..

Use one that had mineral spirits or lacquer thinner in it as it'll be unlined. Unlined simply means they haven't been coated on the inside. You can buy them empty but this is something you'll make out of one you would've otherwise tossed in the trash. See your going green and didn't know it...

As for tools, you'll want something to puncture the side of the can so you can get a pair of snips in there to cut it. A flat screwdriver, drill, whatever.. I used a 5-1 putty knife with a point and just hit it with the edge. Done!

You'll need some snips to cut the side of the can. And a pair of pliers or vise grips.. or like I used, a pair of duck bill vise grips.

Now, whether you have the cap on the top side or bottom side really doesn't matter I suppose. Just make sure it doesn't leak before cutting one side or the other. To be safe you can put it on the topside. I put mine on the bottom side.. doesn't matter like I said so long as it doesn't leak.

This is pretty much a no brainier but I'll walk you through it quickly.

Punch or drill a hole in one side or the other. That's so you can get the snips in to cut it.

Cut out the side leaving about a half inch around the perimeter. See the label on the the can above.. that is what you're cutting out. It's that simple.

Cut all the way to the edge on the vertical. From the top of the can to the bottom.

Fold the top and bottom edges in.

For the sides you can do what I did and that is to make a double fold in the metal outwards. I don't want sharp edges.

Fold about a quarter inch back on itself. And then again..

See...

I like to keep a little bit of the can curve to help prevent splashing when things are getting sloshed around.

That's it pretty much... Now just make sure there's no sharp edges. Use your pliers to mash them down. A hammer works too, just go light, don't destroy it right off the bat.

And now you have a wash basin you can put mineral spirits, or lacquer thinner in. You won't lose the parts to your airbrush or spray gun in either. Or whatever you're cleaning.

Cool factor is when your done using it. Wipe it out, stand it up. Put it with the other cans or on the bench and it's out of the way.

Just a quick diy project that comes in handy. Especially when cleaning with solvent based products.

Tip: Don't use water in it, it rust up fast. For water based cleaning, use a lined can or plastic can. The lined can will still rust, especially on the outside, not so much on the inside. They're coated with epoxy usually. Best to go plastic for water based. Like a poly can. But then you can use pretty much any plastic container for water based.

That's it for today.

Stay creative, stay Happy people.
Cheers...