Protecting Printers Ink

[KeithP]

Howdy-

I have painted gold printers inks on to the VL Black Knight that I have in my vBench. I have to say it looks really good.

The last time time I used printers ink I put a couple coats of acrylic gloss to protect for subsequent shading and highlighting. However, after the gloss was applied, the gold shine and gloss was really diminished.

I'd like to shade with oils.

Do I really need to protect the printers ink before hand?

Any input is welcome.

Keith

 

[Lou Masses]

I would say it depends on what medium you use to apply the inks on in the first place. I know when I use Liquin for example, if I try to put any other oil based product over it it will run.

Phil Kessling is truly an expert in printer's inks and perhaps he can better explain their application.

 

[KeithP]

I used Bleached Linseed oil, a couple drops of Liquin for flow and shine + a coupled drops of cobalt dryer.

All helps is welcome

Keith

 

[Lou Masses]

Keith,

That's close to what I use and I've had disasters after trying to overcoat with an oil based product. I sometimes use Future Floor Wax as gloss and it gives it a brilliant shine and is water based.

Lou

 

[KeithP]

Yeah, that is about what I thought.

I have some test cards going so we'll see what runs and what don't.

I'll give the Future on one of the test cards.

Thanks!

Keith

 

[pkess]

I use different mediums with the printers inks for different effects. The key thing to remember is that most Printers inks that are sold to miniaturists do not contain a drying agent. At least the ones that we sold as the Palette and the ones the Michael Roberts sells.
For small items like buttons and sword hilts, I use either Floquil Crystalcote or the medium off of the top of either Testors or Humbrol metallics. On large items like helmets or cuirasses, I use Liquin and add a couple of drops of cobal drying medium. The Liquin mix will be less shiny than the enamel and lacquer mediums. Heating in the crockpot will cause the Printers inks to matte out and to tarnish (darken). This works out well because you can then highlight with pure Printers Inks after the last drying period.
I use oils for shading the Printers Inks. In most cases, I have not had a problem with the inks lifting. It is more likely with the Liquin medium than with the enamels and lacquers. I think that using an overcoat defeats the whole point in using the Printers Inks. If I had to, I would use Polly S gloss as an overcoat.

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Excellent Phil...I understand much better now...
Thanks!

Hope all is well...

Patrick

 

[KeithP]

Phil-

Thanks for the post. Good info.

I use a drying box a la Shep Paine and had noticed the tarnish effect.

I had used the ModelMaster acrylic gloss. Seemed to take the shine right off the gold ink even diluted 4 parts water to 1 pt gloss.

Keith