Pigment Fixers

[bbrowniii]

Hey gang

I have seen all manner of products labeled as 'Pigment Fixers'. While I have not bought any, I am curious if there is a significant difference between any of them?

Also, aside from purchased products, what are some of the other things that can be used to fix pigments to the model without washing them out?

Thanks!

[TRM]

Hey Boyd,

I have not found too much difference between them as they do appear to have the same compound make up. Best guess if you want to try one yourself is a thinning medium that will work with a particular clear coat you use...meaning, if you used a water based acrylic clear coat and start off about 75% acrylic thinner or water and 25% clear coat...obviously test things out before hand, you should have something viable to use.

If you think you need to increase the clear coat amount, go right ahead. The same would apply for an oil or enamel based clear coat. I have often used just thinner with the pigments as a "stickifying" solution and had decent results but if you add some clear coat to it, things would really come together!

Good luck!!

[bbrowniii]

Thanks T.

I've used Vallejo clear in the past, making a nice little paste with the pigments. But my results have been mixed, so seeing all these fixers got me to thinkin'....

I'll give your recipe a shot and see if I notice any major difference in results!

[TRM]

Give it a shot! If you have Vallejo's thinner to add to the clear coat, it might work best...I like to use there AB cleaner as a thinner when painting and would presumably work well too. Also, depending on the pigments you may want to choose a medium....

AK and AMMO respond really well with spirits while Vallejo pigments work well with both but probably best to thin with water or their thinners. Like AK, AMMO, Vallejo has a pigment fixer as well that works great if all else fails!!

[dupes]

Interesting. I actually picked up a couple of the Vallejo pigments to try out today at the semi-local wargaming store...didn't realize they had any different "makeup" than other brands as far as reactions with other products.

[TRM]

The pigments are actually used to make their range of colors, and processed and micronized so that they mix well any liquid medium, from water to acrylic resins or spirits.