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How to fixate pigment powders?


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Hey. I acquired a bottle of Vallejo pigment, this dust-effect kind of powder you apply on models. I only found out later that you need some kind of "fixer fluid" to glue the powder onto the model.

There's official fixer fluids from MIG and other companies, but I'm not too sure about their availability in my area. Is there an alternative?

I read in another forum that historic model painters use White Spirit as the most common alternative to fixer fluid. Is White Spirit the same thing as turpentine? And if yes, how does that work out? As far as I experienced, turpentine can damage the paintjob, or am I mistaken? Are you maybe supposed to apply it extra carefully on the powder only, trying to avoid to get any on painted areas?

I'm aiming for a dry desert-sand dust effect, so no wet mud or anything. I appreciate any advice!

Happy gaming!

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Don't mistake turps for white spirit, they are very different.

 

You can usually mix the pigment with water to apply, and use the fixer once its dried out.

 

I've seen a lot of videos where people use Isopropanol Alcohol to fix pigment. Easily available via eBay. ;)

If you're using alcohol just load up a brush with it, put it on the model next to the powder and let it "bleed" onto the model.

 

Don't brush it on like paint as that will disturb the powder.

 

 

 

EDIT: There's also this:

 

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/w/weathering-powders.pdf

I read Ron's posts on From the Warp on fixing powders, and it seemed like he uses a very strong spray, since even the alcohol fixed powders got blown off quite a bit, same as if he didn't affix the powder at all.

 

And then I saw Secret Weapon's video tutorial where he just lightly sprays matte varnish over the powder to seal it. I think I'm going to go with this method and hope the light misting doesn't blow off too much powder. Either that or I'll over-apply the powder so if some gets blown off it's okay.

 

I'm new to weathering and doing white spirits or even just hair spray/alcohol seems much more cumbersome than a simple varnish seal. Just like oil washes on vehicles, it's much simpler to just gloss coat it and use acrylic washes with appropriate techniques to compensate.

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