"Paint turns white" Topic

I pulled out two figures that had been wrapped in tissues in the bottom of a plastic box yesterday, and found the paint in some spots had turned white. One figure has a shield superglued on, and it came off. I tried cleaning with toothbrush, water and soap, and removed some of the white, but much is still there. I seem to remember spilling something in the box a month ago, and cleaning it up, replacing the kleenexes, but can't remember what. Both figures had been painted, then sealed with two coats of flattish spray from the arts and crafts section at Walmart, then sprayed with Dullcote. Anybody have any idea what this is, and whether or not I can safely repaint the figures? Clearly doesn't match the descriptions of lead rot I've seen here in TMP.

Grelber

Could be the dulcote. I have had some figures pick up a whitish haze, particularily on blacks or dark blue. You could try re-coating with a brush on flat varnish. This may kill the white and restore the colour underneath. Rob.

Sounds like whatever you spilled had a reaction with your top coat and caused it to haze over. Try Imno's suggestion.

Superglue will also sometimes turn whitish.

removed some of the white, but much is still there

Do it again…only use water so hot you can barely stick your fingers in it and a quality dish washing liquid.

If some came off it all will come off. If the paint is fully dry and sealed, water and soap will not harm it. Hot water is better at dissolving stuff than cold – so it should make the work go faster.

After that – don't use Kleenex (or Puffs…or other facial tissues). If you feel the need to wrap, use craft tissue or wrapping tissue. The facial tissues have oils, lotions and other stuff to make it gentler on noses. These often transfer to miniatures that are stored wrapped in them for long periods of time or when a carrier is introduced (like any sort of liquid).