Fogged Dullcoat Help

[Whiterook]

I tried making a dullcoat concoction of 70% Pledge (Future acrylic) and 30% Tamiya Flat Base. I tried applying it to the bottom of one of my Huey miniatures and it fogged up into a whitish look. I’ve done this technique without fail in the past, and was surprised this happened… luckily, I only did one ‘copter and just the bottom and side boom.

A. What the heck happened, do you think?

B. Any fix… do I need to strip it, or will a repaint over it do?

HELP

[stikpusher]

Recoat with straight Future, that should clean it up.

[armornutii]

   Temp and humidity??
   Could be a new hotter formula in the Tamiya base that didn't like being mixed with Future, possibly the Future as well. 
   Try stripping it with windex or another ammonia based mild solvent
   Sand off and start fresh.
   Bummer Whiterook hope someone with more knowledge checks in.

[Whiterook]

Oct 30, 2023 19:18:17 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Recoat with straight Future, that should clean it up.

I popped on downstairs to my workbench and tried scrubbing the white fog off with an old brush… then applied a coat of Pledge (Future) and let fry. Seemed to solve the issue. I placed some Vallejo paint over it as an added measure and we’ll see what the result is tomorrow.

Oct 30, 2023 19:19:44 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Temp and humidity??
   Could be a new hotter formula in the Tamiya base that didn't like being mixed with Future, possibly the Future as well. 
   Try stripping it with windex or another ammonia based mild solvent
   Sand off and start fresh.
   Bummer Whiterook hope someone with more knowledge checks in.

Dry as a bone in my furnace room and at an even temp. If I had to guess, I’m betting the Tamiya Flat Base was too old and the culprit… I brought it well over a decade, likely 15+ years ago, and I can’t even remember what it’s *supposed* to look like! …looks opaque, like a kinda grayish hue, and comes out wet but in a clumpy poppy sort of way…I’m guessing it’s supposed to be watery like Tamiya paints.

I’d like to avoid stripping it if at all possible, as it’s a 15mm miniature, not a model…as in smaller than 1/72. I’ve not measured it but, I’d say it’s about 5” long, nose to tail rotor. Granted, not as much to strip, but it’s very finicky to paint to begin with.

[jeaton01]

Can't see a downside to another coat of Future, as Windex will quickly remove it. What is the base paint? If it's enamel you may be in good shape. Tamiya now sells premixed flat and semigloss paints. I went to Alclad clear coats some time ago and it has been more predictable. More than likely you are right about the flat base being too old.

[Whiterook]

Oct 30, 2023 22:33:01 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Can't see a downside to another coat of Future, as Windex will quickly remove it. What is the base paint? If it's enamel you may be in good shape. Tamiya now sells premixed flat and semigloss paints. I went to Alclad clear coats some time ago and it has been more predictable. More than likely you are right about the flat base being too old.

I agree… I’ll check on the minis later this afternoon and see how the fix worked. I must say though… I am super apprehensive to try the concoction as mixed, once again, as I am feeling pretty positive that it’s a case of my Flat Base going bad, as it is quite old; I am thinking the Flat Base is a little more susceptible to age. 

I do have an old rattle can of Krylon Matte Finish which I’ve used successfully in the past… I might try a test spray of that… then again, I may look into what you mention of a pre-mix…I see Tamiya has an XF-86 Flat Clear that I don’t recall seeing way back and is not in my inventory, so I think at this point, I’m just gonna order that.

[Whiterook]

If anyone can snap a picture of the contented of Tamiya Flat Base, so I can see what it’s supposed to look like, I’d appreciate it… I’ll do the same with what mine looks like for comparison.