Discussions in Weathering and Effect
 Painting, Airbrushing, Terrain and Modeling Forums General Painting and Modeling Weathering and Effect Best way seal pigments? |
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| GTTechnics |  Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: May 10, 2013  RK: 1 MP: 0   | Saturday May 11, 2013 6:48 PM On my latest bases I decided to try weathering with a water/pigment mix. Once it dried, I airbrushed alcohol onto it hoping to seal the pigment in. While it worked to some degree (and looked great), it still was dusty to the touch and I managed to get pigment on the mini when I secured the pins. I then resorted to varnish, which sealed great, but also changed the appearance quite a bit. Now I'm looking for other options that might give me the best of both worlds. Some possibilities I've though of are white spirits, vallejo pigment binder, and Mig pigment fixer. Has anyone tried these or recommend another method? Thanks. |
| SpudTate | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
  Member Since: April 6, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Saturday May 11, 2013 8:44 PM Hello there brother,I use a matt varnish over the top and seal that in 100% Peace 101% Chicken |
| The_Oracle | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: May 7, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 12:40 AM I dont know where or why the myth that alcohol causes pigments to fix came from- it might with the MIG/Vallejo stuff, but it doesnt do it with all powders- specifically those of us that use old school pastel powders- alcohol is just a carrier liquid that is used because it evaporate faster than water. So the model can be handled sooner rather than waiting longer for a water based carrier to dry  The simplest methods for sealing a pigment powder, is like Spud just mentioned- a varnish will do the trick. You could even go one step cheaper and use a thinned down matte medium sprayed on through your airbrush. I dont think white spirits will have any benefits, but the Vallejo binder and MIG fixer should do well, I saw some youtube vids for each several months ago on one of the scale modeling youtube channels but I cannot recall which. Some of you know me as Isabelle (G+ and Facebook) and through my blog http://mistressofminis.blogspot.com/ My in box is always open for painting, airbrush, converting questions, and how to build crazy stuff. I've also been know to help simplify crazy life issues ^_^ |
| FearGFX | reply |
 Member Since: April 6, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 3:20 AM AK-interactive has a pigment fixer which works great for me!I dont know how this works on grind up pastel powders though |
| GTTechnics | RE: reply |
Member Since: May 10, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 1:38 PM Thanks for the responses guys.Feargfx- I looked into the ak stuff and it's described as being enamel based. Does that mean I have to take special measures to use it vs the acrylic based stuff? |
| DreamKnight | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: February 22, 2011 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 2:33 PM To fix the pigments to the model you just use water or alcohol. Both really are used to just water the pigments so it can adhere to the surface. Alcohol only to make it work faster. AK Interactive and places like that have "fixer" products which I don't think is any really special as you can just go the water/alcohol way but I'm sure they did some research to find a better fixer.Personally I use future floor shine or you can use a varnish as a fixer. If you use varnish, dilute it. This ensures it fixes on for me. If you use gloss, it brighten the pigs or pastels a bit more and stands it out a little... but I seal with a matte afterwards. Works great for me with what I already have on hand. Gotta remember, AK interactive does great products but it's nothing that you can't producer yourself. They just prep'd things for you ahead of time (washes... etc) but that's their magic. Cuts down the prep work so you can jump right into weathering. Awesome stuff! But again, everything you can do on you own with stuff you already have handy most likely. Chung "Peach... I can eat a peach for hours..." |
| Sarge | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: May 10, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 3:46 PM I've used the Mig fixer, but it was for a mud base, it worked great. I don't know if you can use it as an over coat, I haven't tried to thin it.Sarge "If you ain't CAV, you ain't!!" |
| IchibanStudio | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: April 7, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Sunday May 12, 2013 7:17 PM Same here i like using either pigment fixer or matt varnish, i think using the fixer helps you lose less of the original color then the matt varnish. As for the fixer i have AK pigment fixer and some yet to be release Secret weapon pigment fixer both are awesome  |
| Robert_McChesney | RE: Best way seal pigments? |
 Member Since: May 11, 2013 RK: 1 MP: 0 | Saturday July 20, 2013 11:11 AM I've been using the MIG fixer, although I have to admit it gives me a satin finish that I don't like, so when I overcoat with matt varnish it sems to darken everything down |
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