Trouble with Layering and flat spray

[Grey Mouser]

Normally I don\'t seek outside help, but this has me stumped. Currently I am trying to work on improving my painting skills to a new level and I am running into a major problem. When I layer and layer paint... I have noticed that the layers are producing some chalk like appearances. I am using a 50/50 thinner of acrylic color thinner and slow dry agent ..The chalky appearance isn\'t visable when examinig the figure at a normal distance and barely visable when I get close... but my camera finds them Pronto! I\'m using GW paints and Vallejo model colors. Recently I\'ve noticed the Vallejo are the worst offenders. Will future Floor wax help to smooth my layers? One other helpful hint might be, I spray flat after each break to preserve my work. Yesterday I spent a few hours painting a mini that ended up getting a clear coat and discovered the clear had turned into almost kind of a dusting of white over my pretty paint job back to the stripper bucket it went!! Normaly this is caused by humidity but I sprayed indoors??? The clear coat in question is GW Clear coat matte finish ... I used to use floquil and I cannot get this anymore is there a better dead matte finish available in the U.S.???

 

[Fizl]

As to the grainy appearance, it could be that you are painting your fresh layers on before the previous ones have dried fully. This causes the previous layers to peel up.

As to the varnish problem, if you are on the US side of the pond, everyone seems to suggest Testors Dullcote. Its very difficult to get hold of on this side of the pond, so I can\'t tell you what I think of it!

hope that helps,

Shaz

 

[hivemind]

I will second Testors Dullcote. It, like, absorbs all available light turning the mini into a black hole of non-reflectiveness.

Only thing is it comes in dinky little cans.

 

[Grey Mouser]

Thanks guys... I didn\'t know about the layering.. well thats something to try. I will also try Testors dull coat and see if that helps.. Any other ideas are appreciated as well... I\'m a learning sponge at the moment.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I\'d suggest that you try not to put anything over the layers between working on them.
If I\'ve got to leave a figure part done I don\'t bother with any form of varnish, I just make sure to dust them with a flat 3/16th brush, one of the most useful and surprisingly versatile brushes to have in your arsenal.

 

[U4-Welcome]

Message original : Dragonsreach
I\'d suggest that you try not to put anything over the layers between working on them.
If I\'ve got to leave a figure part done I don\'t bother with any form of varnish, I just make sure to dust them with a flat 3/16th brush, one of the most useful and surprisingly versatile brushes to have in your arsenal.

What does that do ? I mean, sometimes I\'ll brush over painted parts with a dry size 10 brush because I think it reduces shine a trifle and sort of makes the whole thing smoother. But just a trifle. In fact, I\'m not even sure I\'m not imagining it. And now I discover you do the same ? Could it be I\'m not crazy ? (um wait, don\'t answer this one )

 

[House of Dexter]

Chalkiness can be caused by many things

Adding White to your paints...White paint tends to have larger pigments...causing chalkiness

Thinning your paints to much...you damage the binder and the pigments break down and clump.

 

[KatieG]

It could also be caused by the multiple layers of matte sealer you\'re spraying between layers. A matte sealer does have some texture to it, you might notice your paint behaving a little bit differently if you add a matte coat between layers instead of just going layer to layer.

Also the Vallejo model colors do take a bit longer to dry than GW and some other paints, so it might be you\'re working the layers while they are still wet. Try using a blow dryer to speed up the drying time.

Also, if you\'re layering, I don\'t understand why you are using slo-dri... doesn\'t this cause the paint to take longer to dry? This I thought was only desired if you\'re wet blending, not layering.

--Katie G.

 

[Grey Mouser]

I was told the slo dri mixed with a thinner helps acrylics go on better and thinner. I usually wet blend and I call it layering because it feels and looks like that to me I use a wet pallette and blend the lighter shades as I go. I thought that was layers but KatieG is correct that is a wet blending. I think you people hit the nail right on the head with the flat spray in between coats or what I call layers .. I did try the Dull coat and it\'s better than the GW spray... but I will also wait till the very end to spray them that may help too... still learning LOL.

 

[beh]

Originally posted by U4-Welcome

Message original : Dragonsreach
I\'d suggest that you try not to put anything over the layers between working on them.
If I\'ve got to leave a figure part done I don\'t bother with any form of varnish, I just make sure to dust them with a flat 3/16th brush, one of the most useful and surprisingly versatile brushes to have in your arsenal.

What does that do ? I mean, sometimes I\'ll brush over painted parts with a dry size 10 brush because I think it reduces shine a trifle and sort of makes the whole thing smoother. But just a trifle. In fact, I\'m not even sure I\'m not imagining it. And now I discover you do the same ? Could it be I\'m not crazy ? (um wait, don\'t answer this one )

Um, it removes the dust?