Little confusion on paint additives...

[amrogers3]

So, I have a problem with paint flowing into the crevices on my marines. I researched and found there are several options. "Future Floor Wax", "Liquitex Flow-Aid", or Winsor and Newton flow improver. I've read not too good of reviews for the W&N. One better than the other between Future Floor Wax" and "Liquitex Flow-Aid"?

And another question regarding mediums...
Does "Liquitex Matte Medium" and the "P3 Mixing Medium" basically do the same thing? The P3 site says, "The P3 Mixing Medium produces washes with sufficient body to provide better coverage and flow characteristics." I believe Reaper also makes a flow improver. Does this take the place of the Liquitex Flow-Aid or Future Floor wax?

Never painted before and have zero art experience, apologize for these n00b questions.

 

[kathrynloch]

Well, Liquitex Matte Medium says it acts as a bit of a flow aid but in my experience - not much. I use it solely for knocking down the shine or gloss that you get when adding my Mop n Glo (same as Future), so I have both in my ink washes.

The floor polish - whatever brand you get - is more economical than buying the other brands of flow aids, so that's why I went with it. I've been happy with the results so haven't tried P3.

It's not going to be a magic bullet. All it does is help reduce the surface tension of the water so the pigment of the wash can get down in the cracks and stay there. I would suggest getting a matte medium and since the floor polish is cheap and easily available, trying that first. If all else fails, and you don't like the floor polish, you can still use it on the floor. It will take a bit of experimentation but you can always upgrade to the more expensive stuff later.

 

[StillLifeMiniatures]

I currently use Future for making inks, but not for washes. The Future pulls pigments into the crevices. I use P3 Mixing Medium and it does well but it comes out really thick. Once it's mixed with water it seems to behave better. I have also used Golden Airbrush Flow ( I can't remember the rest of the name) as an experiment and it works with thinning paint for washes but I'm not sure that it's the best product out there.

I always mix the Future, P3, and Golden Airbrush stuff with water. I add a drop or so in already thinned paint. Using it straight to thin paint hasn't worked well for me unless I want a really thick ink.

Good luck with everything.

 

[AllTerrainMonkey]

"So, I have a problem with paint flowing into the crevices on my marines." Is the problem that the paint doesn't flow into the crevices like you want it to, or that you don't want paint in the crevices and you're trying to keep it out? If it's the former start with adding just pure water to your paint till you get the right consistency and then add things like Flow Improvers; just about all of the additives you've mentioned can do the trick, though I tend to shy away from Future and went with Liquitex or Reaper Flow Improver when I add things to my paint. Usually the only time I make anything resembling a wash is when I'm glazing (one drop of color, three-five drops of water, three-five drops of MSP Brush-on Sealer) or doing a quick wash over a figure for fast shading (which I got from Haley).

If the paint is going where you don't want it to go, then you should either add less water to your paint when you mix, or ensure you wipe excess paint off of your brush. Only dip the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the brush into the paint and then wipe off the excess on the edge of your palette, a damp paper towel, or other such thing before putting the paint to the mini. A very small amount of paint can go a long way on a figure, and it's always better to put on more thinner coats than one coat that's too thick.

 

[Wicksy]

Sounds like a simple problem of too much on the brush to me. If its not going where you want it, there's too much on the brush. Thin layers with a drier brush will stop that from happening. Dab the point of the brush in the paint, then wipe it on some tissue (or your hand) until only a small amount gets put on. I never get this problem if i'm careful with what is on my brush and dilute my paints with just water and a little dishwashing soap.

 

[Einion]

First thing I would suggest you try won't cost you anything and you can give it a go immediately: add a little dishwashing liquid to your mixing water! Although they may have other ingredients (including water) flow improvers are mostly a kind of detergent.

Einion

 

[Bloodshovel]

I usually use a 1:2:2 mix of Paint - Liquitex Matte medium - Water. Turns out good enough. I haven't tried it in anything more than half a bottle-cap quantity though, but that's usually enough to do a whole miniature.

 

[Jbickley00]

I use golden acrylic flow release at about a 5-10 to one mix with water for making washes. The flow release accomplishes this. so would adding a small bit of alchohol, or as enion said, a bit of detergent.
Also for making washes, I use Golden acrylic glazing liquid as my thinner as it is meant to improve transparency and extends drying time slightly (as opposed to mediums which don't have any extenders).
I have not tried the magic wash method, so ican't speaky to the effectiveness of floor wax.