doctorphalanx | 21 Apr 2014 4:34 a.m. PST |
I sprayed some metal figures with GW Skull White as an undercoat. I've noticed that it's given the surface of the figures a strange grittiness visible to the naked eye when viewed closely (say under 6") and noticeable to the touch. Is this some sort of reaction with the metal or something wrong with the paint? The paint was fairly old. |
Only Warlock | 21 Apr 2014 5:08 a.m. PST |
It's the millions of nanometer scale skulz mixed with the tears of crying gamers. |
Chris B | 21 Apr 2014 5:09 a.m. PST |
The paint has gone bad. I've had this happen with GW paints and others. |
doctorphalanx | 21 Apr 2014 5:55 a.m. PST |
Thanks, Chris B. Is it possible to strip them and start again? The idea doesn't appeal very much, even if it's possible. If I knew that subsequent coats are all going to peel off, then I'd have to. But I'm inclined to live with it as the problem is not likely to be noticed at normal viewing distance. What effect it will have on painting I don't know. |
doctorphalanx | 21 Apr 2014 8:03 a.m. PST |
A close-up of the finish:
link |
Maddaz111 | 21 Apr 2014 8:17 a.m. PST |
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Who asked this joker | 21 Apr 2014 10:34 a.m. PST |
I doubt it is bad paint. I've had this happen to me with known good cans of spray. You could try to use an old toothbrush to get the powder off. If that does not work, soak in some "Simple Green" for anywhere from 15 minutes to a day. Clean off again with water and re-spray the figures. Check weather conditions. make sure it is not too humid. Spray in the shade. Spray a little closer to the figure than the can suggests. I've had some figures that got the grittiness while others were relatively smooth in the same spray batch. I suspect that as I stretched out to hit the back figures, the can got a little farther away from the figures. I think what is happening is that the paint is drying somewhat in mid air. So it stands to reason that you should shorten the flight time by getting the can a little closer to the subject. |
Wolfprophet | 21 Apr 2014 10:59 a.m. PST |
I've never had this not happen to me when using their white primer even on a good day. Strongly suggest using Army Painter's white instead. |
doctorphalanx | 21 Apr 2014 11:01 a.m. PST |
I'm pretty sure now it was the age of the paint as the very last ones I did (with a not-quite-so-old can) are OK. I see Simple Green can be obtained in the UK here: link There is a Regular and a Crystal version. Is this the right stuff? What is the difference? |
Brian Smaller | 21 Apr 2014 11:47 a.m. PST |
I had this happen with a GW Skull White paint as well some years ago – spraying Bretonnian knights. I stripped the paint off and started again. I use cheap automotive sprays now. They have a better finish and you can get anywhere from 3 to 15 cans (depending if you shop around) for the cost of a GW one. |
Todosi | 21 Apr 2014 12:49 p.m. PST |
It's not the age of the paint, it's the quality. The GW white had a really horrible batch a while back. Looks like you got one. Strip and reprime with something better. I recommend Krylon Primer. |
Ron W DuBray | 21 Apr 2014 1:10 p.m. PST |
It froze at some point in its life from the look of it. |
Zephyr1 | 21 Apr 2014 2:22 p.m. PST |
You could try a light cleaning with soap&water and an old toothbrush before going the stripping route to try and get the 'grit' off. |
doctorphalanx | 21 Apr 2014 3:25 p.m. PST |
I don't like storing spray cans indoors so I keep them on a shelf in a small garden shed. They will have been subjected to extremes of temperature. Perhaps I should try to insulate them. |
Ron W DuBray | 21 Apr 2014 3:41 p.m. PST |
Well you will need a heat source. So Here's an old idea for you. Get an old refrigerator install 2 60w light bulbs and a thermostat set at 60deg F. This works very well for paint storage in a cold shed. also don't spray in a place when the temp is lower then 40deg F. |
doctorphalanx | 29 Apr 2014 4:48 a.m. PST |
I decided to strip them
link |
Fizzypickles | 09 May 2014 8:09 a.m. PST |
You could have saved yerself a few bob and used Dettol to strip them. |