"Advice for using Plasti Dip Clear Spray?" Topic

I am just about to embark on a 1/72 army painting project, and as paranoid as I am about the paint flaking off once completed, I was thinking about investing in some Plasti Dip spray to seal them. I was hoping for some tips on using it, as the few times I have tried in the past ended in a globby disaster.

I know about washing/degreasing the figures before painting, undercoating with PVA/Gesso, and all that sort of thing. I am just curious if there are any techniques I can use to avoid running/pooling/dimpling with the Plasti-Dip.

Thanks.

Jason

Hey, Jason! Plasti-Dip is actually great for sealing plastic figures. I've done it extensively and never had a problem with globbing. In fact, I recommend it as an undercoat, followed by primer and paint, and then a sealing coat of Plasti-Dip again. That traps your paint job between layers of flexible rubber.

I assume you're using the spray and not the dip version? I guess if you've had bad experiences, try with a single figure. Also, don't use it in the cold -- the rubber contracts and forms an elephant skin on your figure!

P-Dip dries semi-gloss. You might need a spray of Matte Sealer to get the gloss off.

I would ask you to try an experiment with one or two figures. Washing, spray with auto primer, paint with acrylics, then cover( brush on and blow off the bubbles) with MinWax Polyshades English Tudor. Try one test figure. I've had good results with this on armies I've done for my student group at school (12 year-olds). If you have an ACE Hardware store they usually stock the small cans of MinWax.

Thanks! Yes, I did try the spray, and after few passes I noticed beads and pools forming in the figures' recesses. It's not cold often down here (Florida), but I wonder if the humidity could have caused it.

I've tried Polyshades and did not like it. Besides, I do all my shading with washes prior to sealing.

Have you tried applying Future Floor Polish, instead? It can be brushed on, or the figure can be dipped, and set on wax paper to dry (5-minutes, usually). I didn't have any luck with the Plasti-Dip spray, either. Let us know what you find out. Cheers!

I use Future in my Dip. I love the product! However, NOTHING seals like Plasti-dip. To use it correctly you should shake the can for at least 2-3 minutes. You will get better results if the can is at room temp and not too cold. Spray as if primering. Use multiple light coats rather than one heavy. I have used the spray for 10 years now and LOVE it! No other application, gesso, glue, Future comes remotely close to protecting as completely or well. Been painting plastics since I was a young boy with Humbrol in the late 60's early 70's. Tried em all. Plasti-dip IS the best choice!

Have any other questions about it or using Future/ink dip shoot me a PM or question here and I'll be happy to help.

Thanks,

John

Sgt. Slag, I use Future for everything. I usually seal my hard plastic and metal figures with it before giving them a coat of flat. My first instinct was to coat these 1/72s with Future as well. However, on a recent thread I noticed an experienced TMP'er stating that Future doesn't really work well on the bendy bits of 1/72 figures. I thought I would look at more secure options.

Interesting. I use Liquitex Acrylic Matte Medium as my varnish – one coat, plus another on bendy bits. It is a form of PVA, so I take care not to apply too much as it can go milky. But I now use Klear overall (one or two coats) (as I have reverted to gloss finish in my dotage) and find that it flexes well with the Liquitex.

Here in UK I do not believe we can get Plasti-Dip, so any gamers coming over to Salute could make a buck or two out of me by bringing a can over for me to buy off them. All offers gratefully received.

Sorry, back to thread. I would be interested to know what other experiences people have had with Klear and soft plastic.