Make a Power Paint Mixer with an Electric Drill and Hanger

Part of any successful painting project is mixing paint to the correct consistency. Skip this step, and you’ll end up with inconsistent color coverage or, worse, product failure. Thoroughly mixing paint is crucial, especially paint that has sat unopened for a long time. I admit that mixing paint was one of my least favorite steps when tackling a new project, but I have found a new way that is faster and easier than mixing by hand. The last time I painted, I couldn’t find my paint mixing paddle, so I improvised my own using a plastic coat hanger and a power drill. Read on for step-by-step instructions for this power paint mixer hack, and never use a paint stir stick again.

How to Make a Power Paint Mixer

I used a plastic coat hanger to create a paint-mixing paddle that can be used with a power drill. Here are the steps:

• Wearing safety goggles, cut a plastic coat hanger in two places with pruning loppers or a hack saw. Make the first cut along the bottom of the hanger on the straight piece, separating it from the angled corner. Make the second cut two inches above the remaining angled corner on the bottom of the hanger. When finished, you should have a long, straight piece with a hook on one end.
• Discard the remaining hanger pieces.
• Sand down any sharp edges on the mixing paddle with 220-grit sandpaper.
• When ready to mix paint, insert the straight end of the mixing paddle into the chuck of a power drill and tighten.

Is This Hack Better Than Mixing Manually?

Power paint mixing is the clear winner over mixing manually, and this power paint mixer hack is a cost-effective, DIY-friendly way to do it. All it takes is a few household items and a power drill, and you’re mixing paint with less effort, energy and time — with better results!

Power-mixing paint thoroughly mixes paint to an even consistency while breaking down any lumps in the paint. Thicker paint or paint that has been sitting for a while, resulting in settled solids on the bottom of the can, benefits from power-mixing.

Besides being thorough, power-mixing paint is also faster and less physically demanding. I’ve spent ten-plus minutes manually mixing paint that has sat unopened in my basement for a few years, where a power mixer could do that same job (and do it better), in less than five minutes.

Is This Power Paint Mixer Hack Safe?

This hack is safe, but there are some safety considerations to keep in mind. Don’t skip the safety goggles when cutting the coat hanger to avoid any plastic shards from injuring your eyes. Also wear safety goggles while trying out your new power paint mixer hack, to avoid getting paint splatters in your eyes. If mixing oil-based paint, work in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to harmful vapors. Also place the paint can on a steady surface while mixing to avoid spills. Overall, this power paint mixer hack is very safe if these few guidelines are followed.