My gloss is gettin' glossier!

Astro-Man · Post by **Astro-Man** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:23 pm

I have recently run into a very annoying problem on a figure model I was enjoying up until now. It seems that no matter how many coats of dull coat (yes, the Testors stuff) I sprayed on this Clone Trooper figure I am currently finishing up, the glossy finish is NOT going away and it seems the finish is getting glossier by the day!

This wouldn't be a problem had I decided to do a Clone Trooper of say the 501st Legion were it wouldn't matter a bit having glossy white and blue armor, I am doing a Trooper from the 5th Elite Corps (a unit of my own making) in which they have armor that has green and brown camo and has a very flat military finish. I'll save you all from the background story about the 5th Elite here but I need to know what is causing this to happen and how to finally get rid of all this sticky, glossyness!! Could it be from some sort of chemical reaction to the paints?? $:\$

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:56 pm

It sounds like it.

The chemical reaction bit. Could even be a reaction between material and paint.

Spray bomb, airbrush, base paints, etc, we need more info.

Er, I mean I need more info.

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:19 am

Nah, you were right the first time. We need more info.

Floyd Walker · Post by **Floyd Walker** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:11 am

If you find out what's causing it, maybe it can be bottled and sold

What you can try is to let what you've done cure for a while - maybe a week, maybe more - to let everything finish outgassing (or whatever).
Then try using an acrylic flat finish... it shouldn't react with whatever's already on the figure.
I've seen Future mixed with Tamiya's Flat Base give good results, as well as PollyScale's Clear Flat.

Astro-Man · Post by **Astro-Man** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:05 pm

I used rattle cans (Testor paint bombs!) a plenty on the Clone Trooper figure. I tried everything to matt down the ultra high gloss finish and tackiness. Yeah, didn't pay too much attention to what type of paints I was using and on what kind of substance the figure is made from....stupid me!

I though this was going to be an easy weekend project, NOPE!

Someone suggested that the only thing to do now is strip all the paints and finishes off and start anew. I must have put acrylics over enamels and lacqure where it shouldn't have been used. I used a Krylon light brown as the primer first and then MM SAC Bomber Green next. Right after that is when I noticed the MM paint becoming very glossy and tacky. Just goes to show you, check the label first!

As for the accual Clone Trooper figure, it's from the Star Wars Unleashed line, these are made from what? Vinyl? PVC? I never really hear any cautions about painting models made from that stuff. Learn as you go....

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:44 pm

Is the paint still tacky? Uncured? If not, just wetsand the surface lightly with some 600 grit paper, it should dull down then.

Astro-Man · Post by **Astro-Man** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:54 pm

Aaahh! Okay, worth a shot! Yes, sweet words that turn to bitter orange wax in my ears! I'll give the wet sanding thing a shot, why didn't I think of that?! There are somedays I am too much like Fry, God help me! With most projects ya just gotta KISS it. Keep It Simple Stupid!

Oh, speaking of Fry, he was the human version of Stimpy as I see it, well, same voice actor anyway. Cheers!!

Post by **TER-OR** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:21 pm

Yeah, Billy West does lots of voices. So does Bob Camp.

Anyway - super-fine steel wool is great to dull a surface and smooth imperfections in paint. Wet-polish with the stuff, and be very gentle.