Secret Weapon Weathering Pigments - How Do?

[Gederas]

Hi all, I ordered some of Secret Weapon Miniature's Weathering Pigments a few months back (Ancient Earth, Ash Grey, Exhaust Black, Metallic Iron and Slate Green) along with their Pigment Fixer and they showed up on Monday. Now there's one issue...

 

I realize I've never used weathering pigments before. So I have no idea what to use the Pigment Fixer for, or what kinds of brushes. The Pigment Fixer says to apply it over the Weathering Pigments.

 

My issue is, I don't know if they need a varnishing after I apply the pigments, or if the pigments will just stick onto the models?

 

For context, I'm planning on using a combination of Ancient Earth (on base) and Ash Grey (on base and models), with the latter going up onto the lower legs of all my Dark Angels:

[Imren]

Assuming you want a dust effect around the feet: I suggest to varnish first and then apply the pigment. Otherwise you will reduce the dusty effect/texture of the pigment powder and it will instead look painted on.

 

Also skip the fixer, that too make it look like its either painted on or if applied alot it make the pigment look more like mud that dust.

 

So to sum up, finish the model including the varnish, apply the pigment with a (preferably synthetic) brush and knock off the excess and let it be. This way it will look most realistic, but the pigment will rub off if you touch the feet.

 

Do different methods (before/after varnishing, with/without pigment fixer) on a few models and then choose what you like.

[Lovecraft0110]

Hi Gederas,

 

It depends on their fixer; pigments are pigments. Is it acrylic, or enamel based? I've had great results with the latter, and poor with the former.

 

I go over pigment application in this video (timestamps in description):

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

Vallejo have a pretty good video on how to apply pigments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16sd_QzQFXs

 

Whilst it's not the same brand, the same principles will apply :)

[Gederas]

It depends on their fixer; pigments are pigments. Is it acrylic, or enamel based? I've had great results with the latter, and poor with the former.

It's an enamel. Their description:

 

"This unique enamel fixative creates a permanent bond between your model and the pigments, without altering the texture or color of the pigments."

[Marshal Vespasian]

Does enamel pigment binder work better? I got the vallejo (bad) and the greenstuffworld (better but not perfect) variants and would definitely be in the market for a better solution

[Arkhanist]

Does enamel pigment binder work better? I got the vallejo (bad) and the greenstuffworld (better but not perfect) variants and would definitely be in the market for a better solution

 

I havern't used an acrylic pigment fixer for a while, but the last time I did, it wasn't very effective at all (possibly vallejo)

 

I've got an old bottle of AK pigment fixer which is enamel based, and it does what it says. I've no idea what's in it that makes it work better than plain white spirit or enamel thinner, but it holds pigments down significantly stronger than either; I understand MIG pigment fixer is similar. The best approach is to apply the pigments by your normal method (either dabbed on dry for a dusty effect, or mixed with water then left to dry for staining) and remove to taste -  I like to use a soft brush or even my fingertip to move the pigments from raised surfaces into the crevices a bit to sell the dusty build up. Then once I'm happy with the final effect, I apply the pigment fixer by touching a brush tip to the model, and let it wick into the pigments by capillary action; I tend to put on a decent amount. You definitely end up thinking "what have I done??" as it looks horrible when wet, but when it does fully dry (which can take a little while) the pigments look near identical to before, but now are very tough to remove.

 

As always when using organic solvents over acrylics, it's strongly advised to varnish first as they can damage the paint. I tend to do my weathering pigments as the very final step after matt finish varnish and joining model to base - I paint the models separately, and a bit of pigment approprate to the basing colour up the ankles/shins ties them together nicely for dust, dirt or sand, plus soot round exhausts etc.

 

The alternative is to apply dry pigments without a fixer, and use matt varnish to secure them (potentially your final finish protective varnish). This does definitely work for holding them down, but in my experience does 'thin out' the pigments, so it looks like you've applied significantly less than you did; so you need to over apply them before varnishing which takes a bit of practise.

Edited August 28, 2020 by Arkhanist

[Lovecraft0110]

Does enamel pigment binder work better? I got the vallejo (bad) and the greenstuffworld (better but not perfect) variants and would definitely be in the market for a better solution

Like I said, for me it was night and day. I can vouch for the Ammo one!

[Marshal Vespasian]

Alright so I'll go for the ak or mig one. Because of the trouble I've had with fixing pigments havent really made it into my usual worlflow even though I have a decent amount knocking about

 

Whelp thats my stores of choice not having the enamel pigment fixers. Only the Abteilung one where it doesnt say the medium

Edited August 29, 2020 by Marshal Vespasian