Metallic Paint Problems.

[NoodleBoy]

Hey all, long time no post....again.

I've been recently been working hard on trying to get alot of my assorted and unpainted collection finished for show, sale, and just personal love, and have noticed as of late, I'm having a bit of a problem with my metallic paints.

Its seems, no matter how well I clean my brushes, I am almost always getting little tiny remnants of whatever metal paint I was using show up in my regular colors on my palette. Sometimes, its barely noticeable and I shrug it off to keep working, while others, especially with darker colors and black, it will dull the paint and keep it from being as vivid as I need.

I've cleaned and rinsed my water pot multiple times, I keep good care of the brushes I use, but every now and then they just pop up, scream hello, and laugh as I try and figure out what to do.

Suggestions from the veterans in the field?

 

[SciFry]

I myself have had the same prob. By no means am I a vet and Not very good at NMM.What I do is use a seperate pot and brushes just for my metallics.probalble not the best advice but just thought I'd share.

 

[Einion]

...I'm having a bit of a problem with my metallic paints.

Its seems, no matter how well I clean my brushes, I am almost always getting little tiny remnants of whatever metal paint I was using show up in my regular colors on my palette.

Okay, bottom line is you're not rinsing your brush thoroughly enough (obviously ) rinsing isn't just about removing paint, it's about leaving the brush clean.

I'd recommend two things, first and foremost is to adopt a double-bath system for brush rinsing. You have two jars, the first one is large and you do the bulk of the rinsing in that. Then you have a second jar (which can be large if you have the desk space for it but it can be a lot smaller) that you rinse the brush in again afterwards. This rinses the dirty water from the main rinse out, leaving your brushes a lot cleaner.

This helps extend brush life too since by doing this you have to actually wash your brushes a lot less - like once a month instead of weekly. A little dishwashing liquid in the first jar at least is a good idea.

The second jar stays clean for a long time and gives you a supply of clear water for dilution, instead of using the muddy stuff (which might have suspended metallic pigment floating around in it).

Second thing is a brush-handling issue which might not be relevant, but if you're using the brush to mix the paint (or you load the brush quite heavily) so the paint covers the bristles right to the base, then stop. It helps a lot if you just have the paint on the top half or third of the brush head, not all the way down to the ferrule.

Just out of curiosity what kind of brushes are you using? It shouldn't make much or any difference but thought I'd ask.

Einion

 

[Donga]

I know alot of painters use two sets of brushes, one set for metallics only! I use Vallejo Model Air metallics and they are almost impossible to clean out (the pigment is that fine!) so I'm considering using the same system.

It's a practice which quite a few of the Demon winners are taking up. It saves alot of heart ache/hassle. As long as you keep good cleaning discipline (as quoted by Einion) you brushes should last a long time.

 

[NoodleBoy]

Einion- Actually, you just discribed my general practice for cleaning my brushes, hence, why I'm confused as to why it keeps happening. I even make sure theres no buildup within the bristles around maybe an hour or two of painting, as well as whenever I'm done for the day/afternoon/night. I also actually have a brush JUST for paint mixing. One of my first from about 7 years ago from an old Games Workshop starter kit. Thing was wrecked from 'lack of disciple', but for some reason I liked it so its been in my cup for a long time. Though I might add in a third pot with a more soapy solution, since my rinse pots don't usually have anything in them but straight water.

Donga- I've actually thought of making a separate set of brushes for metals. Simplest solution to be sure, but never really thought of it! I'll have to go through my cup and see if I have any likely candidates or pick up a few new ones.

What kind of brushes? There, I am unfortunately not as precise on. I tend to look around at hobby and craft stores and go for various sizes as well as the softness of the brush itself. I usually use 4-5 of the same brushes, but my cup has about 15 in it. Some I should probably through out but, you never know, one might be good in a pinch! If you have brand or type suggestions, I'm always open to suggestions.

 

[Einion]

Einion- Actually, you just discribed my general practice for cleaning my brushes, hence, why I'm confused as to why it keeps happening.

Oh, that was a waste of typing then :smile-big: I can understand why you're confused then.

I used to have the same problem every now and then (I'm sure it's happened to everyone a couple of times) and I have used separate brushes for metallics and normal colours at times, but since I adopted a double bath and got more rigorous about my rinsing procedure I use the same brushes without a problem, even switching from metallic to normal paints immediately after sometimes.

Did you use to have this problem or is it something new? Maybe you're not swishing the brush for long enough, and do you rattle them back and forth in the container? I presume the colours on the palette are separate enough that there's no chance of cross-contamination?

Einion

 

[BPI]

Hi Noodleboy (is that a JTHM reference?), any chance that 7 year old mixing brush is the source of the pollution? It being a common element and all? Seemed worth asking Cheers, B.

 

[ledfloyd]

Do you drybrush metallics alot? I use an Opti-visor and have noticed that when drybrushing metallics the paint becomes airborne like a fine dust or mist. Could it that be the issue?

 

[freakinacage]

Oh, that was a waste of typing then :smile-big:

on the contrary, i shall give it a go. never had that problem but it can't do any harm. now i have to find somewhere to put my cuppa...

 

[NoodleBoy]

Hi Noodleboy (is that a JTHM reference?), any chance that 7 year old mixing brush is the source of the pollution? It being a common element and all? Seemed worth asking Cheers, B.

Lil'Mixer gets cleaned the most, which probably has just lead to its even more deteriorated state, and often when I'm using metallics, I go straight from the bot, little dab on the tip of the brush (or more if more is needed), and thin it if its needed on the palette.

 

[Tagamoga]

Hello Noodle Boy,

As mentioned above, a suggestion is to use, two sets of brushes, wetpalettes and water cups. After changing to this, I didnot have any problems any more with metallic remains in other colors.

Greetings, Taggi.

 

[Einion]

Oh, that was a waste of typing then :smile-big:

on the contrary, i shall give it a go.

All helps threads are of benefit to more than just the OP, we know this :smile:

I was only joshing anyway, I type fast!

never had that problem but it can't do any harm.

Better for your brushes anyway :good:

Some of the previous threads that mention a double bath for those who want a gander:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30740
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30956
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27285
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25076
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11152
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10694
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9430

Einion

 

[Wren]

What are you using for a palette? Any chance the problem could be from the palette rather than brushes or water?

 

[Tankworks]

You can try swishing your brush around in some dope thinner once in a while, it is amazing what shows up.

 

[Donga]

You can try swishing your brush around in some dope thinner once in a while, it is amazing what shows up.

Cellulose thinners? That's a bit harsh. A find a mild liquid hand soap & hot water brings out the worse of anything and keeps the bristles supple.

 

[Einion]

Yeah, worth trying an alcohol or acetone first before going to a stronger solvent. Assuming that actual washing hasn't done the trick.

Einion

 

[Donga]

Yeah, worth trying an alcohol or acetone first before going to a stronger solvent. Assuming that actual washing hasn't done the trick.

Einion

Nail polish remover has acetone plus conditioning agents that will protect your finger nails, same material as hair/bristles. Much safer option & cheap as chips. On a side note its worth soaking your sculpting tools over night in acetone to get rid of any residual putty.

 

[Einion]

Nail polish remover has acetone plus conditioning agents that will protect your finger nails, same material as hair/bristles. Much safer option & cheap as chips.

Could be. Post-cleaning conditioning is probably a better bet in the long run if one is using solvents to clean out stubborn dried paint from near the ferrule.

On a side note its worth soaking your sculpting tools over night in acetone to get rid of any residual putty.

Except if they're made from cocktail sticks coated in superglue! :smile-big:

Einion

 

[droogie77]

One thing that I do to get my brushes clean after they have been used with metallics is to dip them in some X - 20A thinner. It loosens up the metallic paint caught in the bristles and makes them easier to clean.

 

[NoodleBoy]

I've just recently noticed what it was specifically that was causing my problems. When I dip my brush into my water pot (the straight water one), to thin out my metalic paint, if there is any of it on the actual brush, it'll spread out on the surface alittle, and stay there. After even an hour, it will just float at the surface, and should I need to do the same on regular colors, they might just cling to the brush and tag along for the ride.