what the hell........

[Robin]

Hey Guys

I am using vallejo acrylics, when I am putting the second coat on I am sometimes lifting the first, and it is becoming annnoying, anytips or or ideas to what I am doing.

Help would be gratefully recieved.

A desperate Robin

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Robin!

I always wash the piece in warm soapy water before I prime it and never experienced any problems with lifting when painting on a dry coat. Only time it lifts for me is when the first coat is somewhat wet still and the new paint kind of lifts it, although this is very rare.

 

[megroot]

Hello Robin,

I have no problems with Vallejo. Just when it isn't not dry yet, it can come off.
So i agree with Anders.

Greetings Marc van Megroot
(who is painting his 95 rf out off 1809)

 

[KeithP]

Not run in to that either.. Anders comments about cleaning and waiting between coats is good.

Did you prime the figure before the acrylic? Is the primer on the fig solidly or is that lifting too.

If you cannot fix earlier coats easily, perhaps it's best to bite the bullet and strip?

Keith

 

[amherbert]

Hi Robin

That has happened to me.

I don't know why, but waiting a long time between coats helps. And yes, this is on primed, washed figures. I find that getting a nice base coat involves several thinned applications. And these have to dry for about a day between each coat. Once you get a nice base, the laying in of highlights and shadows can be much quicker, with virtually no drying time needed.

Andy

 

[KeithP]

Interesting... I'd love to see some more comments here on "time between coats" on acrylic. I am less experienced on acrylic and my results are.... marginal.

fyi, this last week end, I completed seven acrylic base coats in 3 days with anywhere from 4-12 hours between coats. Seems like alot but it's an off white surcoat for a Teutonic knight...

Keith

 

[frank h]

Hi,
The use of a hair dryer held at some distance just to provide
a flow of warm air is helpful for fixing the early coats paint

Also some isopropyl Alcohol will make the paint dry quicker

If you read an article by Doug Cohen he mentions the proportions
to water......There is one article in Historical Miniatures where he paints a
Celt. I can't think what back issue it is at the moment

Hope some of this helps

Frank

 

[Anders Heintz]

I wait like 1-2 min MAX between coats at about 1 part paint to about 3-5 parts rubbing alcohol (~60%)and distiled water mix(~40%). I usually start the next layer as soon as I finish painting the area with the first layer and so on.

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Robin,
Might want to be sure that the paint is really well mixed...it has happened to me, and am sure that the paint wasn't mixed well...Bob Knee told me to put BB's in the bottles to help with the shaking...

Hope all is well; all the best my friend

Patrick

 

[Guy]

Basil......are you priming your figures before painting them...especially metal figures.

Another note.......After getting a bad eye infection and the Doctor I went to taking a smear of the eye....it was found the eye infection was caused by polymer....the main ingredient of acrylic paint.....and I was told that it is the highest carrier of bacteria....acrylic paint that I was using was called "Ceramcoat"

 

[Einion]

Hi Robin, what are you working over? Is this on primer or the bare figure? I personally don't think that painting Vallejo or Andrea colours directly on a kit is a good idea (although I have watched Raul do it on a metal figure so what do I know?) but over a good primer you shouldn't get lifting like this. Time between coats? Well if you have a hairdryer handy about 10 seconds! Once you've got your basecoat down, especially over a primer like the type I use, your thinned 'glazes' should dry fast enough that you can watch it happening.

Basil, I've experienced the problem with mould growth on dry paint once or twice before and it was because the wet paint I used was contaminated. You shouldn't have to worry about it normally. Acrylics are formulated with fungicides to help prevent this but if you store your mixed paint in a stay-wet palette for longish periods it can begin to happen.

I too recommend adding a little dishwashing liquid to the thinning water for acrylics, especially if you use tap water like I do.

Einion

 

[Brad S]

This has been a very interesting topic as I paint in acrylics also( vallejo, andrea, ceramcoat, pollyscale and some watercolors.) I pretty much dont have any problems like Anders but I do recommend shaking the paint up real well. I noticed that some colors will settle much quicker than others. I use ordinary tap water with a little alcohol, dishwater soap and windex to thin it.

Brad Spelts

 

[Robin]

Thanks for the tips guys

lots to think about here

I have had it happen on to bare metal and to primed figures, will look at my setup and painting habits. Plus the wifes hairdryer is in danger now


Einion

the detergent is a good tip will washing up liquid do?


Robin

 

[slaj]

Robin,here's my penny's worth. I've slightly experienced what you mentioned and to be honest cannot really pinpoint the problem. But what have been said about mixing the paint well before use is true. I don't wait that long after the initial coat. When I used to paint in oils I had experienced the fungus type problem but not since I've used acrylics. I also know that there are some who add talcum to acrylics and get incredible results in the form of matt finishes

Stephen Mallia

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Robin@Oct 12 2004, 10:05 AM
the detergent is a good tip will washing up liquid do?

That's what I meant yes, sorry. Should have just said Fairly liquid... but you can imagine the funny looks you get from people who don't live here

Einion