Optimum weather conditions for using GW Purity Seal?

[Helias_Tancred]

Subject says it all.

 

I hate when this stuff gives your models a frosted look. I'm willing to bet that comes with weather/humidity conditions? or does it come with spraying too close or over-spraying?

 

Thanks.

 

 

[Dam13n]

I'm getting the same issue.

 

The usual tricks are to spray in a warm and dry area, make sure the can is itself warm and well shaken before spraying, and place the models in a warm and dry area while the varnish dries.

 

However, none of these tricks have worked with my current can of Purity Seal, which is annoying as my previous can was working fine.

 

GW did recently repackage their Purity Seal into new silver cans, I'm wondering if they've switched to a new (cheaper) formulation, which is more temperature and humidity sensitive.

[Lucien Eilam]

There are so many variables involved: not too hot, nor too cold, not too damp, nor too dry, not too close, nor too far away, bad batches, overspraying, underspraying, etc., etc., etc.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. Spray it on some transparent plastic (blister packaging, old CD case, etc.), let it dry, let that tell you if the conditions are good today.

[Helias_Tancred]

Is there a better alternative?

[Stercus]

What you need to do is to make sure that it's a waxing gibbous moon no later than the seventh Wednesday after Pentecost and that it is under no circumstances an emergence year for the Pacific cicada. Oh, and if you are within twelve yards of a goat it just doesn't work. Nobody knows why.

[Lucien Eilam]

Is there a better alternative?

Avoid propellant cans? I've seen frosting issues from most brands, but never had a single problem airbrushing varnish.

[Emperor's Fury]

Is there a better alternative?

Aqua Net hairspray works for me.

[Father Mehman]

What you need to do is to make sure that it's a waxing gibbous moon no later than the seventh Wednesday after Pentecost and that it is under no circumstances an emergence year for the Pacific cicada. Oh, and if you are within twelve yards of a goat it just doesn't work. Nobody knows why.

 

I thought I was in the clear when I sprayed my last Death Guard for its oil treatment. Wouldn't you know it? A goat, no less than a yard away, pokes his head out from behind a tree just as I finished spraying. You just never know, man. You never know.

[Stercus]

 

What you need to do is to make sure that it's a waxing gibbous moon no later than the seventh Wednesday after Pentecost and that it is under no circumstances an emergence year for the Pacific cicada. Oh, and if you are within twelve yards of a goat it just doesn't work. Nobody knows why.

 

 

I thought I was in the clear when I sprayed my last Death Guard for its oil treatment. Wouldn't you know it? A goat, no less than a yard away, pokes his head out from behind a tree just as I finished spraying. You just never know, man. You never know.

Spray cans, like fate, are capricious beasts.

[Helias_Tancred]

 

Is there a better alternative?

Aqua Net hairspray works for me.

 

 

You jest?

[Father Mehman]

I've heard of people using Aqua Net on their models. I've never personally done it so I can't comment, but it seems to work.

[Subtle Discord]

Humidity seems to be the major culprit. Any spray varnishing I did this summer with too much humidity was nothing but futile. Some, when caught after the first pass, could be saved with a light buffing with a stiff brush and some vanish applied by hand once it dried, but a few were beyond disappointing. I may have to follow what some others do, and just apply it by hand. There's too many hours at stake to have it get ruined in such a fickle way to save a few minutes. You don't want to slop it on, but it's not like you need to be super careful, so it goes on quickly enough.

[Emperor's Fury]

 

 

Is there a better alternative?

Aqua Net hairspray works for me.

 

 

You jest?

 

Sure. Use scent-free and let it dry outside.

[Hyaenidae]

I've used Army Painter Matte sealer for years now, and have never had an issue. Considering the varied and challenging weather patterns around my neck of the woods, I consider that as proof of quality to me.

[Dam13n]

I've just switched to Army Painter varnish, same conditions, no issues.

 

I've used their Satin for a proper protective coat followed by their appropriately named Anti-shine to matte the finish back down.  (Their satin varnish has a greater proportion of gloss to matte than purity seal, so gives more of a gloss finish, however that does mean it protects the models better than a more matte-based mix.)

 

This does also mean that their Satin varnish is great as a protective coat before applying oil washes, as it also helps create a surface better suited to allowing the oil colour to flow into the recesses instead of acting like a filter / glaze (which is what happens if you apply it over a matte varnish).

[Kaedes Nex]

I also use Army Painter Anti-Shine matte varnish. Gives a similar look to Testors Dullcote while being acrylic and giving a nice textured finish.

 

It has frosted slightly in the corners for me but that was with the odds stacked entirely against the can's favor since I was messing around too much. Normal use yields perfect results.

 

Army Painter spray cans tend to tolerate higher humidity very well, but I still wouldn't chance it. You also need to be familiar with how they spray since apparently they installed shotgun fire hoses instead of spritz nozzles on all their cans.