layer sealing

[mrversatile]

Hi guys, this is my first post here. I visit the site often and enjoy the postings of the terrific builds here, and just started building armor. I build everything, (as my moniker suggests), but I am new to many of the modern weathering techniques involved in armor. I understand the steps involved in layering with filters, washes, pigments, chipping etc. but the question I have, and which doesn't seem to be mentioned in the many videos I have watched, is the sealing of the different weathering layers before starting others. I notice that spirit based filters are added and then similarly based washed, and maybe more filtering depending on preference. Because of this, it seems that if the previous steps weren't sealed with some sort of clear flat or matte finish before applying the following washes etc., it would tend to blotch or ruin the previous. Can someone clarify this for me?

[Tojo72]

I do seal with acrylics between diffrent layers.Not 100% sure if it is needed,but I worried about what you are talking about,so I play it safe with a sealer.

[elco]

I only seal the basecoat (acrylics) with a satin gloss varnis to protect the paint and have a good base for pinwashes. They flow better on a satin varnish coat

For all weathering steps i don't seal anything, mean reason is that you tone down a lot of effects you just made definitly with a ( a lot of modelers to that..) matt varnish at the end..

For weathering i use oderless white spirit with enamel (AK/MIG..whatever) and oil products, the oderless white spirit is less agressive then normal whitespirit etc. 

And believe me i made tons of layers to models






You can also add a few drops satin gloss varnish to your paint if you like and start weathering when dry!

[TRM]

Kind of a grab bag of thoughts to the seal coats Mr. V. First...welcome to MSC!! If you have been hanging about then you know it is one of the best places around to hang out!

As for sealing...for me, I guess it comes down to what I am doing, trying to achieve or keep from getting messed up! Typically I will seal quickly and lightly between coats of various painting and weathering steps.

Base coat and chipping fluids as the chipping, depending on the medium of choice, will sometimes take the paint off to the primer of plastic. Sometimes I clear coat between painting and weathering as this protects the work you did already. Same goes for some applications of weathering...but most times, especially with acrylic based weathering, the product dry fast and even cure in a short time an remain unaffected with additional layers.

If I switch back and forth from acrylics to enamels, I won't bother too often as they don affect each other as long as they are dry. Enamels can have the tendency of pulling if you are heavy handed in you weathering or add a lot of thinner to clean the surfaces. Clear Satin seems to work best for weathering effects as it will make it easier to manipulate the effects applied, around a bit easier.

Decals...always before and after. Good habit to make it easier and protect them. In the end, as Elco said, if needed a matt clear coat seals and protects but will also remove any shine you can get from some products.

Have FUN!!

[mrversatile]

Ok guys, thanks for the quick responses. I appreciate it. I am in the process of finishing the forest camo on a Normandy Tiger I so the weathering is coming soon. What is your satin clear of choice. Right now I have vallejo matte varnish, mm flat lacquer, and pollyscale acrylic flat.

[Leon]

WOW!! Nice work on the Tiger Mr.V.

[TRM]

That is a great looking Tiggy!! The Vallejo Matte Varnish will work! The MM Flat Lacquer is another fine choice!! In the future if you can get any Satin Clear...Vallejo...Tamiya...even Future which is widely used...even by myself! Just my take on it. Sure some folks will chime in with their favorites!

[mrversatile]

Ok, great. I guess my confusion stemmed from satin vs matte or flat. I was assuming that satin had more of a sheen and was easier to work with when weathering than flat or matte finishes. Now I can finish the camo and start the weathering process. Great. Maybe I will even post this beast in the Axis forum when completed.

[mrversatile]

Ordered the Vallejo Satin. Sounds like the best option.

[TRM]

Sounds great Gil! Sure you'll be happy with it! Couple thin coats is a decent application rate from what I have found. Play around with it and you will find something you're comfortable with!

[elco]

The Vallejo satin is perfect for the job, you will notice that the washes flow nice and during other weathering effects the surface turn more flat.

Just use thin layes, thin thin thin is the secret!

[mrversatile]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I will be sure to post the progress in the axis armor thread

[deafpanzer]

YEAH!!! Agree with guys... great work on the Tiger! I use ModelMaster Flat Clear (lacquer) too.