Palette cleaning?

[-Ice]

I bought one of those cheap dry palettes from WHSmith that nice, deep areas for mixing paint. However, after a nice paint-practice session, I find that I am having trouble cleaning it (as opposed to a white tile that is easier to clean). Are there any secrets on cleaning palettes? I find that I have to resort to one of those dish scrubbers to scrub out all the paint, which leaves messy scratches all over the palette.

Not really a major issue here (the palette was cheap) but just curious in case I'm not doing something properly.

 

[gohkm]

As long as it works. I just scraped caked off paint with my nails. Occasionally, it gets treated to rough file or knife to pry off the really old, glopped on, dried up stuff.

 

[-Ice]

ehehee... I don't put paints on "used" areas. I'm stupid like that.

 

[Wyrmypops]

I use plastic ones for the little bits of a mini, where just a smidgeon of paint is called for. When it's cleaning time I just worry at the edge of the dried paint. I mean, just prod at it with a cocktail stick or craft knife, don't stand near it going "woe is me".
Once the egde is harried it often gives itself up to just being pushed off. For a real crusty palette it can be peeled off which for some peculiar reason I find oddly satisfying.
For a resilient patch I'd just get busier scraping it with that craft knife. The blunt back of the blade will do, but I'd not be too vexed if it scratched the palette. After enough scratches they're a cheap enough thing to replace. Just nabbed another couple off Amazon for about £4 each.

For basecoats though, I'd heartily recommend looking into knocking up a wet palette. Keeps all that paint wet for long enough to cover the mini without having to add more paint to a palette. Especially important if you're mixing paints to create that basecoat.
Am a recent convert to the joy of wet palettey goodness. Made mine out of blister packs with a flat base (GW ones no good, sloped as they are). Just leave the foam in it, fill in with water up so the top of the foam is wet, add a bit of greaseproof paper and Bob's your uncle.

 

[-Ice]

I've always been curious about that... about the wet palette, not Bob.

At the moment, I think I'm wasting too much paint to the "evaporation process" rather than on painting but I can't find a small wet palette locally and with the weather, I haven't been able to go out and check the local stores. Anyway, what is greaseproof paper? Is that wax paper (used for baking cookies and such)?

Anyway, these cheap palettes are cheap enough that I don't have to worry about ruining one, but I only bought one at the moment so...

 

[Wyrmypops]

I guess you must already know Bob then eh.

Yeah, that paper is the cooking stuff. If you're really curious about the wet palette lark and reckon it'd serve you well in what you're doing it probably would be a good idea. All those BloodAngel basecoats you have to mix up, makes sense in limiting the "argh, run out" aswell as the "bugger, this batch is slightly different". I took my lead from an article or twwo on wet palettes from "the sticky thread". So easy, if you have the right kind fo blisterpack/container, foam insert and paper. It doesn't change any of the painting processes you're moving into, just keeps the paint alive longer.
Retarder would keep the paint useable longer too but can affect the qualities of the paints and things like blending. It's another learning curve to broach, might be best to save retarder for once more comfortable with ones painting.

Stuff going out in this weather though. Order whatever you need online. Let the postie run the risk of making an undignified slip on the ice hidden beneath the snow.

 

[-Ice]

Ha! As much as I'd like to order thing online, I'm not the patient type. A strategy guide I ordered took 2 days longer to reach me and I was pissed!

I guess I'll have to go to tesco for that greaseproof paper then. I am still searching for a nice container and foam, I wonder if sponge-foam (used to clean dishes with) will work? I think I read somewhere that kitchen paper towels will do as well...

I'd really love to have a wet palette --- I've got 15 space marines, 5 termies, 5 assault marines, and two dreads waiting for their basecoats!

 

[Tommie Soule]

I've tried all kinds of pallet over the years including all mentioned above. The 'best' one for me I've found is a large piece of MDF (shaped like an uruk chopper). I never clean it, just re spray to match the undercoat colour i'm working with, So i can see how my paint will react before committing to model. Plus i like the texture and the way my paint behaves on it.

 

[Shellshock]

Might give the MDF a try myself. I usually use my knife to pick up one corner of the pallette, gently peel the whole lot off in one or two goes - thick layer of paint on you can imagine.

 

[Stewsayer]

Hi Ice,

I use a wet pallette. Kitchen sponges in a large plastic storage container (about A4 in size and 1.5 inches deep). It lets me mix up all my shades at once handily. If you are going to give it a try make sure you get good baking paper. When I first tried one I used cheapo paper and my paints took up to much water and got very thin very fast. With better paper it works great. The paints still end up thinning out over time (if you dont top them up) but it takes a lot longer. I expect the kitchen towels would work as well as the sponges.

I do use a ceramic dry one from time to time and have used plastic ones as well. Hot water and a toothbrush (old one of course) at the end of a session works pretty well. Isopropyl alcohol or Methylated spirits rubbed onto stubborn dry spots should get them off.

 

[Da Sub]

Windex and similar window cleaners work well on plastic and tiles, so long as the paint hasn't been left to set for days. Just spray on, leave for 10 mins and give it a scrub with a scrubbing brush.
Anything that strips paint but doesn't eat plastic will work otherwise (Simple green, Light Degreasers, Dawn Power Dissolver etc.)

 

[Dragonsreach]

Cheaper than Chips

http://www.ryman.co.uk/1430423332/Royal-Langnickel-6-Well-Paint-Palette/Product

I've ended up using these, at £0.49 never gonna complain about how many get used in a painting session.
Cleaning thems dead easy as well, Dish scrubber for straightaway (Poundland specials).
If over night and or thick as concrete (It happens) cover with PVA and allow to dry, Peel off PVA and paint comes with it. (Tip courtesy of War Griffon)
Occasionally use Dettol surface cleaner (apple scented) to flush em if still "wet".

 

[Chrome]

I clean my ordinary palettes in the dishwasher, works like a charm. Though the cheaper plastic ones tend to get a bit bent from the hot water.

 

[Einion]

...I wonder if sponge-foam (used to clean dishes with) will work? I think I read somewhere that kitchen paper towels will do as well...

Yes. And yes, kitchen paper will work fine too.

Can't recommend a wet palette enough for all the hassle (and paint) it saves.

In terms of cleaning off a plastic mixing palette, you might get lucky if it's got an unblemished shiny surface and merely soaking in warm water will loosen the paint enough that it's come off really easily (can even float off by itself). If you're unlucky it'll be clinging there tenaciously and you'll need to resort to solvents - isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol, ammonia and screen wash are all worth trying.

Einion

 

[-Ice]

Awesome replies guys.

I'm glad kitchen towels may work, I'll give that a try.

At first I didn't want to do a wet palette because it was "the latest fad" and I'm not one who jumps into the bandwagon but now, with the painting technique that I'm developing, I see the "need" for it. Then I could only find two products, a P3 one that seems to be available only in the US, and one of the big ones used by canvas painters. I know I can make my own, but I'm one who likes to buy an "official" one first THEN modify from that.

Now my idea is to just use a flat basin/plate/saucer, put a few layers of kitchen paper towel (thicker and holds water better than toilet paper but thinner than a dish sponge), put greasepaper/waxpaper/baking paper (all the same item with different names, right?) on top.

Tommie, what's an MDF?

Stew, what is a "good baking paper"? Any brands you could recommend?

Thanks for all the suggestions on cleaning, however, most require purchase of a product and I'm a bit tight on money right now (damn Christmas! :curse!: ) so I guess I can do with some elbow-grease for now.

 

[gohkm]

MDF is just wood - medium density fibreboard. That's a good trick, Tommy. I'll have to stop by Bunnings later on tonight and pick some up and try your technique out.

 

[Stewsayer]

Hi Ice,

Here in Aus cheapo stuff is Homebrand or Woolworths. The stuff I use that works is Glad brand, not sure if that would be available outside Aus or not. You want baking paper not wax paper or greaseproof. Wax will definitely repel water and I think the coating on greasproof will also. For it to work it you need the paper to allow water to pass through into the paint mix. The issue I had with the cheap paper was that it let this happen much too fast. Most likely that was due to the paper and coating both being lighter than on the Glad stuff I use now.

 

[gsr15]

I'll add my $0.02 in and say that here in the US the baking paper is sold as/called parchment paper (I use the Reynolds brand), and I just use a sandwich size disposable tupperware type container with some standard kitchen sponges cut to fit in it. I can literally leave the thing closed up for a week or more with no real problems. The water/pigment separate a little bit but just have to remix them and I'm good to go, works like a charm.

 

[-Ice]

:lightbulb!:

I'll go have a look at some of the tupperware-type containers for a wet palette! I am familiar with Reynolds and Glad, I'll be sure to look for baking paper though! Thanks!

 

[Serenity]

If you like welled palettes, but don't like cleaning them, try a porcelain palette. They're much easier to clean and don't scratch even if you scrub them with a scrubbing pad. They cost more, but if you take care of them, they'll last a lifetime.

Masterson's makes a small wet palette called the Sta-wet Handy Palette. I purchased one from Dick Blick, but I saw them at Michael's later. I just googled it and there are some in the UK as well. They're pretty cheap and fit on a small desk easily. The size is 8 1/2" x 7" (inner dimensions).

The paper that it comes with is designed for thicker paint like artist's tube acrylics. It doesn't work well with thinned hobby acrylics, allowing the paint to run through to the sponge pretty quickly. I use Reynolds parchment paper with it and that works much better. This parchment paper is quite tough. I've been able to reuse the stuff several times, though it is so cheap there is no need. It stains a little, but that doesn't affect how it works.

I seldom keep my paints around for more than a day or two, but if you keep the Handy Palette sealed and the sponge wet, I suspect it would last longer. However, a Tupperware container will most likely seal even better than this palette. I know mine did when I was using a homemade design. If you plan to keep your paints on it a long time, it is probably a good idea to add a little ammonia to the water to inhibit mold growth.