Acrylics metal chips

[chucky17]

Hi im painting an andrea figure in metal. And it seems the paint chips
is there any thing you could recommend to airbrush over it.

thanks

 

[housecarl]

Buy resin, that's why I've stopped getting white metal. I can never get the paint to stay on it.
Sorry I can't be of more help Tom,
Carl.

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Tom, what do you clean the casting with before you prime it for painting?
I always use IPA (Isopropynol Alcohol) which I get from work. If you can't get this from your local pharmacy you could try a local printers. I use this on resin and metal and it works for me. Another alternative is, believe it or not, cheap vodka. A mate told me about that one but I can't vouch for it as he isn't around much nowadays.
Cheers, Ron

 

[chucky17]

Hi Tom, what do you clean the casting with before you prime it for painting?
I always use IPA (Isopropynol Alcohol) which I get from work. If you can't get this from your local pharmacy you could try a local printers. I use this on resin and metal and it works for me. Another alternative is, believe it or not, cheap vodka. A mate told me about that one but I can't vouch for it as he isn't around much nowadays.
Cheers, Ron

Hi just soapy water for it.

thanks again for the help

 

[Einion]

Trying not to handle the figure as you paint it is my main recommendation - regardless of anything else this is good working practice. But it sounds like you didn't prime the metal before painting?

Washing or cleaning the casting before priming is highly recommended too, since even if there is no mould release on the parts there'll be grease transferred from your fingers during handling to remove mould lines etc.

I generally wash things in warm soapy water but sometimes clean off the castings with meths/rubbing alcohol or acetone.

Einion

 

[Jim Patrick]

Did you apply a primer coat? If you are painting your metalic colors, ALWAYS use a primer coat over metal figures. If you are using glazes and washes then there is no need for a basecoat.

Jim Patrick

 

[chucky17]

Trying not to handle the figure as you paint it is my main recommendation - regardless of anything else this is good working practice. But it sounds like you didn't prime the metal before painting?

Washing or cleaning the casting before priming is highly recommended too, since even if there is no mould release on the parts there'll be grease transferred from your fingers during handling to remove mould lines etc.

I generally wash things in warm soapy water but sometimes clean off the castings with meths/rubbing alcohol or acetone.

Einion

Hi yes i i sprayed it with grey primer. And then airbrushed. is there product i could use to spray onto it.

thanks again

 

[John Bowery]

Tom,
When priming the metal figures I like to use the Auto primers as that is specifically made for metal. You can usually get it in white, grey and black and some even come as sandable or not.
Cheers
John

 

[socko47]

If the paint is chipping and leaving your primer then the problem is between your paint and primer. If the primer comes off and bare metal is exposed then the metal may need better cleaning as indicated by the previous messages. You can clean the metal with soap and water and then either isopropol alcohol or vinegar. BUT not too long with the vinegar as it slightly etches the surface while it cleans because it is a weak acid.
If it is between the primer and paint then either you contaminated the surface somehow, such as oil from your hands, or it maybe the primer you are using.
You sound like you want to seal the surface with something to keep the paint from comming off. It may work for a while but if the attachment of the paint is not strong or non-existant you still run the risk of the paint coming off...maybe in bigger pieces because the problem in underneath the paint. All you will do with a surface coat is hold the outside surface together. You would need something to penetrate the paint surface to make it adhere to the underlying layer.
Hope that gives you some insight to the problem.

 

[kagemusha]

Great advice Joe. Just a thought, you mention 'airbrushed', if it is the paint chipping and leaving the primer, that is the paint drying before it reaches the primed surface. Had this myself once when using 'Golden' airbrush colours. Does it feel powdery when it 'chips'?
It was caused by too high a pressure and too thin paint in my case. Interested to know more.
Cheers, Ron

 

[Einion]

What primer did you use Tom? It could just be that the primer isn't tough enough but I doubt it's the main cause.

Even really good primers won't stand up to lots of handling or rubbing - ideally after you've primed you barely touch the model itself except for assembly and basing.

Einion