CondeJulian
Well-Known Member
Hey Guys,
Just decided to start a crazy experiment with acrylics...
After obtaining surprising results with OX Gall Liquid (product made with a cow liver enzime) as a fluidity enhancer and paint retarder, especially in artistic paints, such as "Heavy Body" acrylics, I did some extensive research in Nuclear forums, and a couple of friends working Power Plants and I decided to use "Heavy Water" (Deuterium Oxide - D2O) as a diluting agent.
I have already started a topic in the Nuclear forum and gathered very rich information about its benefits as a painting medium, something that I think no one imagined specially in our hobby.
The guys at the forum were very excited about the new possibilities, and even some brands of auxiliary products I talked to.
Heavy water is used as a Neutron Moderator in Nuclear Reactors and has 25% more fluidity, temperature and evaporation threshold, in addition to ultra-pure (99.9%) and many other benefits compared to "normal" water.
Normal Water, even when distilled is below 85% purity and tap water is all over the place with bacteria, chemicals and stuff that makes paint behave strangely.
Chemically speaking, D2O is an isotope of normal H2O, with each of the deuterium atoms having one neutron while the normal hydrogen atoms have no neutrons. The extra neutrons make heavy water about up to 25 % denser than H2O, which can be seen when heavy water ice cubes sink in a glass of normal water.
It might according to research make it flow flawlessly on the brush, self levelling properties for brush work and open time might be improved, and since it's so pure and so chemically different it might be a universal retarder and flow improver for most acrylics, which today we don't have such product.
I use VMS Slo-Mo Retarder for most acrylics, but Mission models and Art heavy body paints were better suited with Ox Gall Liquid.
It is as expensive as gold, but what about the cool factor to say that "I painted a model using Nuclear Reactor Water" ?
I know, the same Water, but not AFTER it was contaminated by Uranium .
While I see people pointing out cleaning products, floor polish, lighter fluid, plastering wall pastes, and so many absurd household products in our hobby, why not go against the grain and raise the bar by using real science with an extremely advanced product ?
I'll post news .... Already found a Lab near by. If I don't come back in a few weeks FBI got to me.
Best
Julian