Redgrass Games: Everlasting Reusable Wet Palette Membranes

[WBRBloom]

Today in reviews that nobody asked for:

 

The Redgrass Games reusable membranes for wet palettes!

 

So, a couple of years ago (maybe even four, I can't recall) I bought my first industrial made wet palette from Army Painter. Up until that time, like a grognard that respects themselves, I was using a Tupperware container with a piece of wettex and oven grease paper. But I grew old, and I liked that I could afford one, so I got one.

 

Back then, I happened upon a batch of hydration papers, the ones that came with the original batch of papers in the Army Painter small palette, that were actually quite sturdy, to the point that when I could wash off any residual paint and continue using the paper that I had in my palette, more than 3-4 times. It was the dream. But after that first batch run out, the next refills that I got, where nowhere near as good as that: paper that chaffed and created paper particles that would stick on the paintbrush, paper that would perforate and the paint would go directly on the sponge, everything was sub-par in general.

 

So I reverted in using oven grease paper. But as everyone that used oven grease paper, that thing actually shrinks, after coming in contact with water and the surface tension is so bad that the paint ends up in small beads or globules of diluted paint that moves around your palette. Sure, it usually never stains and you can wash it again and again (until it falls apart), but I get frustrated after a while.

 

So, I was looking around to find if anyone had made reusable paper for wet palettes.

 

Enter Redgrass Games: Apparently, this company endorsed by painters such as Duncan Rhodes and Squidmar (amongst others) have been making these for a while now. Made in Switzerland, and distributed around the globe, they produce lighting and paining for modellers, mid to high end (at least price wise).

 

The palette itself is fairly pricey, at least for my current budget, so I only bought the membranes. They still need a bit of trimming to fit the Army Painter tray, but otherwise they are quite good. They come in a sleeve of 15, and each one of them lasts for at least 4 to 10 washes/uses (as per the product's instructions) susceptible to the use. The material itself looks, and feels, a lot like Christmas wrapping paper (it's glossy and sturdy at the same time) and during the first use I was not sure that this thing was going to work. Apparently, after a couple of uses the paper really starts to work. It has two sides, one for painting and one that goes on the sponge (my guess is so it won't be 4 to 10 washes EACH side), and the side that goes on the sponge has writing on it, so it cannot be used for paint.

 

I am currently on my 6th wash/reuse and counting and, although it does have a small learning curve (it doesn't really like metallic paints), its seems to be working quite fine. Not 100% sure if I'm going to be using these from now on, but I'm going to give it a go. 

 

Does it reinvent the wheel? No.

 

Is it cutting edge? Well, I wouldn't say power sword cutting edge, but maybe monofilament marine knife, kinda. If you're like me, a casual painter that won't win any competitions but likes to try new things, it's fun.

 

Do you need to wash it after every painting sesh? YES. Otherwise the paint will dry out on it and it won't wash off. If you like leaving your paint in the palette and run out the door, don't buy it.

 

Below are some pictures of it, before, during and after washing it off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope anyone who was looking to buy one, or read about it and was curious, to find this helpful. :)