Problem - Purity Seal

[Within]

Well I finally decided to give a try to Purity Seal the \"so called superb GW Matt Varnish\". I used it on a 8-10 hours of work miniature which is not ment for tabletop but for show. So I went out shaking the can outside and after a moment I put down the miniature on a piece of paper and used the spray, I let it dry for ~3-4 hours and then came to see the results... and BLAM:
My beautifly painted miniature is now all glossy (at least not matt at all) and has terrible white dots in some spots as if something glued to the varnish or it got into reaction with air? White stains - I mean little spots but they irritate me even more than the fact the varnish is not as matt as it should be. So now - what did I do wrong and is there any way I can remove the glossy efect / white dots? Help me before I decide to try out a new approach to the varnish and ruin a second miniature!!

 

[DaN]

Several points here:

* Never trust GW lol

* Dust or dirt may have blown onto your figure if you left it outside as the drying varnish is sticky (I recommend putting a container over the figure whilst it dries)

* moisture in the air when spraying also has an effect, but I\'m no expert on this...

I hope you can rescue it!! Good luck

 

[Within]

The problem is it wasn\'t left outside - it was left in the attic.

 

[DaN]

Attics can be evn worse!!
Either way - I\'d recommend just covering it to stop dust sticking to it.

 

[Within]

My attic is as clean as my room and it\'s 80 meters square with high roof so ...
And it looks odd - I think it\'s rather air or some reaction with it than something sticking to it since it looks like it\'s more inside the varnish... Is it possible that I used to much or something?

 

[DaN]

Yes that is a possibility - I tend to use a quick sweep across (Depending on size of figure - a marine would take about a 2 second burst), turn the figure 90 degrees and do another sweep till all sides are done. Then I leave to dry before I consider another coat.

 

[green stuff]

Message original : Within
Is it possible that I used to much or something?

That\'s the first thing I thought when you said it took 3-4 hours to dry. 15 to 20 minutes is plenty enough of drying time if you apply it spairingly .

Another possibility : was it cold in your attic?

 

[Within]

I got to it back after 3-4 hours but I got no idea if it dried 15 or 30 minutes - just didn\'t stand there watching And no it wasn\'t cold.

 

[DaN]

Whilst I don\'t know how to best save your figure (If possible at all )

I would recommend doing a lighter spray next time.

Also - I would test spray every new spray can - paint or varnish. If the consistency is erratic or something, simply take it back.

Gotta go now - hope you manage to save your bloke.

 

[airhead]

Was it humid the day you clear coated?

Too much matt varnish is not good, the flatening agents end up being heavily coated in varnish and you end up with semi-gloss or egg shell finish.

White specks can be dust or moisture (either from the air or the mini wasn\'t dry/cured completely).

Sometimes, if the specs are from airborn moisure, you can cure it with one of two methods:
1. warm the mini - no NOT heat it, but warm it to about 100F (35-40C). Toaster oven, or set it on a car dash in the sun here. This may drive the moisture out of the varnish.

If that did not work:
2. while them minis are warm, with a warm can of spay (set it outside in the shade on a nice warm day or a warm water bath for 15 minutes) Give the mini anouther coat, fairly wet. The solvents will soften the previous layer and help the moisture escape.

Finally, the proper way to seal is to use something besides GW products - too expensive and poor quality control. Use DulCoat from Testors. A light coat will dull down the finish.

 

[darkartminiatures]

I\'ve had this problem many times and i figured it was down to the varnish drying before it hits your mini. Not sure why, either because the spray has been sitting around for a long time or the temp of the area you was spraying in was too high and that caused the varnish to dry....this is only a theory btw. You get a crystal type of coating which is similar to sugary cereals. This really sucks and i got to a stage of being frightened to use the damned stuff. If i was you i would throw your varnish in the bin and buy some new stuff. Like i say, i had a limited edition witch hunter that looked like a sugarpuff which wasn\'t too nice to look at. I had to strip it I always test a new can on something first before applying it to a mini.

 

[faulkns]

I never use spray varnishes any more. I found they were too difficult to control.

I always use Windsor & Newton Acrylic brush on varnishes (Gloss & Matt). You have total control over the application and no running or collecting in crevices. No bubbles either which is a problem I used to have.

All my minis for the last 2-3 years have been done using them. Check out my gallery for the finish

Last plus is that they dry in about an hour or so 9Although care still needed as a little soft until hardened overnight)

 

[demonherald]

GW recently recalled their purity seal for the second time in 2 years.
It was drying cloudy especially noticeable on metallics.
They\'ve had the problem before.
it\'s a real bitch when this kind of thing happens.
I don\'t know of any way to fix it. I have heard it can be very very very carefully removed with a thin bushing of a mild stripper as the varnish is solvent based and the acrylics slightly more resistant.
don\'t quote me on that though I personally don\'t think I\'d try it.

 

[Talion]

It\'s a common problem with the Games-Workshop varnish, I know a number of people who have had this problem.

I say take it back to the store and get a new, they can spray test it if they want, usually the entire can will spray like it.

When you got the new, spray it on something else first, a tin can or bottle, if it doesn\'t leave a white residue your fine, if it does.....then take it back again.

Repeat this process until you get a good can.