"Vallejo Model Color Metallics - issues thinning?" Topic

Curious about this; I have a few Vallejo Model Color (*NOT* the Liquid Gold, the regular metallic paints) metallic paints and I'm running into issues when I try to use them. For one, they come out of the bottle extremely thick, thicker than the normal colors, almost like a paste. I can live with that, though.

Second, and the more important concern, is that whenever I've added even a single drop of clean tap water from a eyedropper bottle, the paint seems like it completely falls apart the moment the water hits it, and it becomes essentially water with metal flakes floating in it; it doesn't coat anything and becomes very runny.

Am I doing something wrong with these? It seems too thick to use straight out of the bottle, but it seems like I can't thin it with anything or it goes from too thick to painting with water.

Your biggest issue is that you are using TAP water. I use either distilled water or bottled water when I paint. There is something about the different chemicals in tap water that make some paints fall apart. The flakes you are seeing are mica which is a mineral that gives metallic the reflective sheen. I use a wet palette and would suggest thinning with either a touch of matte medium or future or distilled water.

I only ever use their Model Air metallics and have never experienced this.

The one thing Vallejo state on their own faq's is to add crackle medium to any paint that needs a little restoration in bottle

However, not sure if metallics have the same binders.

One thing I do know is that Vallejo are extremely good at communications, if you drop them an
e-mail, you will get an explanatory reply

I've had this happen too. The 'paste' is great if you are just high-lighting an edge or something – but yeah, it can break down with water.

If you get an answer, please post here.

(too lazy to ask myself…. :-) )

I use distilled water and you need to add less than a drop. I add water by the brushful and mix very thoroughly. Silver seems to be the worst of the ones I have.

I use windscreen wiper fluid (the blue stuff) and it works well with all acrylic.

I also use only distilled water. Also, for mixing, I not only shake real well but also roll back and forth between my hands while very gently squeezing. The slight pressure and swift rolling between the palms warms up the contents slightly and allows for better mixing. At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

I use tap water, but only a brush full at a time. I've never had problems with Vallejo metallics.

I dip the brush into tap water and run the brush across the edge of the glass. Then I stroke the tip across a drop of paint on the palette turning as I go. I find this adds enough moisture to make the paint "flow" a little smoother.

Thanks I'll try less water. I'm used to adding drops to normal paints from Vallejo and other ranges (including their metallics) and didn't realize it would be different with vallejo metallics.

I use Vallejo thinners and that works fine with these – it is pure medium in a bottle. Well worth it. Far better than water etc