Protecting the paint?

[-Ice]

I notice that even though with a holder (citadel paint pot), I still tend to touch parts of the mini while painting. The edges of the bolter, or the outer edges of the leg armor, or the rims of the jetpack boosters all lose their paint after sometime and I have to re-apply. Luckily, they are edges so the brightest paint goes there and not much mixing required.

However, as I finish more and more models, I was wondering what options I have for protecting the paintjob for play and storage purposes? Is it also possible to paint on a "protected" mini later on?

Thanks guys and I hope everyone's had a Merry Chirstmas!

 

[gohkm]

Protecting figs is fairly simple - a quick blast of a gloss sealant like 'ard Coat from GW, then another couple of thin blasts from a Matt sealant like Testors' Dullcote. That will give you enough protection for a while - paint will still chip, but it will be much more durable. You can easily paint on top of a sealant. I tend to Dullcote my fig after sensitive painting sessions, where I do bits that are prone to chipping (like protruding edges, for example).

Like paint though, you can get naff batches of sealant, so beware. In particular, Testors need to be shaken very well, else a spray from that will frost up your mini. That can sometimes be fixed by shaking the sealant up very well, then blasting your frosted fig again.

 

[Wyrmypops]

I do as Gokhm has suggested. A coat of something durable, then a coat of something that'd give a matt finish. It's that the more durable varnishes are gloss or at least satin in finish. Whereas the matt varnishes aren't as protective but have the prettier finish.

Bit chipping during the painting process is a bugger. I get that less when it's primed with a spray undercoat than with one applied using a brush.
One cheat when repairing those highlighted areas, could try Smelly Primer in the mix instead of white. It's not as strong as a paint and may need more then you would of white, but it sure has extra grip.

If it's a particular irritation then avoid the Reaper paints, I nabbed some, hooked by the triad idea. That works, but on the downside the paint slides off without much contact at all.

Are you finding that chipping during painting occurs since you've started using foundation paints though? Would have expected them to be more durable than most.
After the last month's painting I'm likely gonna pickup more P3 paints to replace the disapointing Reapers, the P3 ones have withstood chippage situations others wouldn't.

 

[howcanbuy]

Use un-powdered latex gloves on you non brush hand. The small amount of latex will prevent the oils on your hands from removing or dis-colouring the paint on the models. It will also protect from paint chipping on sharp areas of the models.

 

[Einion]

I notice that even though with a holder (citadel paint pot), I still tend to touch parts of the mini while painting.

Buy, coble together or make a better holder then - should be possible to paint a figure without touching it (other than with the soft end of the brush of course).
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?1274-Holding-your-mini-while-painting
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?8206-Quit-touching-your-mini
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?23604-holding-on-to-a-mini
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?24102-Advice-on-best-way-to-hold-a-heavy-mini
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?28392-Paint-Rubbing-Off-Metal
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?31562-paint-being-scratched-too-easily

For protection from handling after the painting is done though you have to go the varnish route as already mentioned.

The edges of the bolter, or the outer edges of the leg armor, or the rims of the jetpack boosters all lose their paint after sometime and I have to re-apply.

Incidentally if you're getting down to bare metal here you could do with using a better primer.

Use un-powdered latex gloves on you non brush hand. The small amount of latex will prevent the oils on your hands from removing or dis-colouring the paint on the models. It will also protect from paint chipping on sharp areas of the models.

I haven't found that gloves (latex, vinyl or nitrile) make enough difference in ruboff to make the discomfort of wearing them worth it :smile:

Einion