Grrrdammit

[the_gneech]

So I've spent the past two or three weeks knocking myself out to really do a good job painting some miniatures, right? I've taught myself how to use the modeling putty, to "flock" the bases so they look like semi-realistic terrain and not just black squares, and really practiced pro-level techniques to outline details and do freehand detail designs. Not about to win any awards, but certainly these are miniatures that could be put in a store display and for the most part stand proudly next to professional work.

And then. Ah yes. THEN.

Then, for some reason I have yet to fathom, spraying these really nice jobs with clearcoat protectant -- a vital step to ensure their longevity with handling and use -- gives them all a white frosting! >:E Now all of the figures look like they're dusty, or perhaps like the characters have been rolling around in powdered sugar.

WTF? Argh!

I don't get it; I can't think of any reason this might happen except possibly that I held the spray can too close to the figs and there's freon or something mixed in? What's worse, I don't think there's any way to fix it, short of painting the figs over again (which I really don't want to do). I might be able to mitigate the effects on some of the figs by going back and retouching the darkest areas with another layer of dark paint to increase the contrast.

Certainly, it's not the end of the world, but it is annoying. These should be the latest-and-greatest highlights of my minis collection, but instead they now look old and faded! Crud.

-The Gneech

EDIT: Oh, great. -.- I just discovered that the padded shelf lining I've been using to store the figures is bonding with the paint and tearing them up now, too. Jeeze, what is it, "destroy Gneech's minis" day?

Comments

[susandeer.livejournal.com]

Check for a Customer Service phone number on the can? Maybe they can give you some advice?

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I've used this stuff before without any difficulty ... but I will investigate to see what I can find. The problem is that anything that's likely to be able to take off the fixer coat, will also take off the paint. -.-

On an unrelated note, I need to do some heavy-duty e-mailing to you! Look for it in your inbox later today. :)

-The Gneech

[trpeal.livejournal.com]

Time to send your characters yeti hunting in the snowbound peaks of the North, perhaps?

This is the sort of mishap that makes me glad I didn't buy that Warhammer 40k starter set.

[rhanlav.livejournal.com]

Sounds like something is happening with the sealing gloss. I've had that problem before with some sealing agents, usually cheaper matte finishes that weren't well mixed that did that same thing Maybe thats why I tend to spray with two different sets of sprays about the same time to get a hybrid sealant spray. Are the minis near anything when they're dried? Sometimes the sealing spray will pick up vapors and cause discoloration too. Like super glue.

But yeah, I'd suggest a different sealant at the very least. Oh, and a nice foam minis case works well to keep minis from being damaged by nasty stuff in your home.

[the-lizard-rat.livejournal.com]

Bleargh. This is why I never paint minis, just tape numbers to the backs of them. Much easier.

Lizard Rat out.
Miniriffic in Albany NY

[smrgol-t-kirin.livejournal.com]

Humidity is probably what's doing it.

Some gloss and dull coats react to this.

Before stripping it down, wait for a DRY day and respray them - it may work and if it doesn't you haven't lost anything.

I've also had the same thing happen in the past and no, I don't remember what I did to correct it.

I'll post to an e-mail list of modelbuilders who may have more insight.

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I shoulda thought to ask you about it, actually. :)

-TG

First three replies from the model builders

[smrgol-t-kirin.livejournal.com]

1)
Humidity can do that. So can flat or semi finishes not thoroughly mixed. If it is a flat finish, nothing can fix it. If just humidity, its fifty fifty whether a second coat can repair. Rather than blasting all the figures at once, try a second coat on just one.

2)
Not positive about the cure, but concensus of
opinion on one of the SIGs I belong to says your first
guess [humidity] is correct Member having that problem a week or
so ago hasn't gotten back to group with results of
trying your last guess [a second coat in dry weather].


3)
He's pretty good.

Regarding the clear overspray, I'm thinking he might be laying it on too
thick all at once. Dullcote does that frosty thing, but for some of us,
that's what we kinda want.

Still, light coats would be helpful.

Re: First three replies from the model builders

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll try the second coat, and if that doesn't work, I'll just touch up the worst-afflicted spots.

-The Gneech