Those Fine Point Applicator Bottles
 

I like using the applicator bottles with the fine tip that can be plugged, but I have some questions.

1-One applicator bottle is half full of multi-medium matte. While the medium is not hardened, squeezing the bottle doesn't get it moving much. Storing it upside down would be a pain. Can drops of water be added to the medium to make it more fluid?


2-The local craft stores usually sell only the wide neck bottles of medium. Got a method for transferring the medium into the narrow neck applicator?


3-Ranger is pushing its multi-medium matte and Distress Collage Medium as adhesives, but what is your recommendation as far as using other brand stuff like Mod Podge? While they may be less thick and cheaper, do they adhere as well?

1 - I have no idea about this, as I have none of the substance you're referring to or the applicator, either (sorry)

2 - You could look for a small funnel or make your own by rolling wax paper or something into a cone...

3 - I really like Royal Coat Decoupage Medium much better than Mod Podge. Mod Podge always feels slightly tacky to me, even after it's dried.

A funnel doesn't work. The stuff just sits, and it would cling to the wax paper too. Gravity doesn't help much.

Possible solutions
 

Might pipette technique with a wide straw work? Or a turkey baster where air pressure would force the medium out?

I transfer it with pipettes. It is not the easiest thing to do but it does work. I bought these Transfer Pipette, 3.0ml, Graduated, Large Bulb, 155mm, Karter Scientific 206H3 - Pack 100: Science Lab Transfer Pipettes: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific . I cut off the very fine end so that it has a larger opening and then toss it when the bottle is filled. The distress collage medium is easier than the multi matte medium to squeeze out of the fine tipped bottle.

I bought a couple of those bottles for use with glue........sadly, after a month the glue in both of them won't budge.........and they were capped. I'm still debating on whether I should try to clean them out or just toss them.

Has anybody used a large syringe for a task like this? I saw this one on Amazon and wondered if it would come in handy for various transfer jobs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010BWOOXA...=biss_dp_t_asn

I have used the kind of syringes that come with liquid pet medicines and also the kind of irrigating syringes provided by dentists after oral surgery. Some glue is just too thick to draw up but I think a syringe with a big enough opening would work for some. I also use a turkey baster with the bulb removed. The tip of mine fits down into the bottle to be filled. I just pour in what I need to fill the bottle and I blow on the big end end if things slow down. Needs to be rinsed immediately after and it does waste a little. I wouldn’t do it with substances that turn into hard plastic though like Glossy Accents. I tend to buy the small bottles and I have a metal tip nozzle that fits down over the tip that comes with Matte Medium.

I was put onto this glue years ago by a scrap shop owner. It holds well and I like the shorter tip applicator that comes with it. I keep a stainless steel pin in the tip of it. If I forget to cap it and it clogs I can soak the cap in hot water, scrub it out and start over. This a glue that dries shiny though so I don�t use it for embellishments. I use the same tip with matte medium also but I find that matte medium thickens up on me after awhile.


Amazon.com: Roxannes Glue Baste It

Jennifer McGuire has switched to the Ranger Collage Medium for her adhesive (replacing Multi medium matte) and she really likes it. She uses those fine tip bottles too. I don't have experience with those long-term so I'm no help right now, but will be watching for everyone's comments.

Loved the plastic bottle, I filled it with Aleen's tacky glue but first the little cap that was attached broke off. Then the nozzle (fine tip) got clogged and I haven't a clue how to unclog the darn thing!!? So now I don't like it anymore.:(

I’ve heard that the collage glue is a little thinner, maybe flows a little better? Does it also have a matte finish?

Those work great for transfering matte medium and many other substances - hand lotion or moisturizer from a large bottle into a purse-size tube, for instance. If the substance is too thick to suck up into the syringe, pull the plunger all the way out and use a popsicle stick or small spatula to pack whatever into the syringe, then use the plunger to squirt it into the smaller container. I've used that method for some cuticle moisturizer that's pretty much the consistency of vaseline to transfer it into a small trial-size tube of the same thing that I had emptied.

I use fine tip applicators for Liquitex matte medium and Tombow mono. I add a bit of water to them to keep them thin enough to flow through fine tip. They both hold just fine and you get more product so it saves $$.

I found that even though the fine applicator is closed the glue will start to thicken so I just add more water, shake it up or use a stir stick to mix it up. I tried putting Crystal Effects in one of the applicators and the tip clogged and I never could un-plug it.

Good tip on the water. I was wondering if that would work. I never could get the non water soluble Glossy Accents to work with a long fine tip applicator. I clogged two even though I followed all the burping and clearing steps recommended and finally gave up.

I've been using a Fineline Standard Tip applicator filled with Alene's Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Matte. The glue dries completely clear, takes a bit longer to dry than Tombow, and flows nicely through the Fineline applicator. The tip is easy to clean should it clog up. If you 'burp' the tip so air can flow through, it's less likely to clog. I've been using this for over a year and have refilled the same bottle several times. Love this stuff!!