Monday, March 25, 2013

Soviet Shermans III: Disaster!


I varnished my Soviet Shermans this morning and saw most of my hard work disappear. This is the result. There is still some sign of the pigment, but it has darkened rather spectacularly and has almost become invisible. 


I was sent a link to this tutorial done by Piers on the Guild. He recommends using a pigment fixer rather than just mixing them with water. So the trick appears to be, varnish, add fixer, then add pigment. I shall know for next time. 

Sadly, none of the local hobby shops appear to have fixer in stock, so I think it may be a while before I get a chance to rectify my mistakes. However, it's been a learning experience and I'm glad that I at least gave it a try. However, this being sick nonsense is really beginning to get on my nerves. 


18 comments:


  1. Frustrating. Is it worth putting another layer on top?

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    1. That would appear to be the plan, but it shall have to await the delivery of Pigment Fixer.

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  2. That sucks real bad, I am sure it did not help with recovery.

    Get well soon

    Ian

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    1. It's annoying - though not as annoying as the fact that this chest thing isn't going anywhere fast.

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  3. As per Firemonkey can you just add pigment above the varnish?

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    1. I can, but unless I fix it, it will just brush off.

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  4. Still looks fine to me, old man. I don't use fixer myself - is it sprayed on ? If so, ordinary hair spray might work.

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    1. They don't look bad, I was just hoping for a more dusty look. I've ordered some fixer and hopefully we shall see how that works out.

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  5. Conrad Kinch,

    They look all right to me as they are. The problem seems to result from the varnish darkening the overall colour of the finished model. I am not sure how that can be countered.

    All the best,

    Bob

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    Replies
    1. They're not bad - I was just hoping to make them look a bit more lived in.

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  6. Reminds me a bit of a pick up truck commercial here where a cowboy washes his truck just so he can head right back into the mud and get it dirty again.

    But, while it doesn't look as dirty as it did before the spray, it doesn't look clean either. Looks like a shower during a hot dusty summer on the steppe has just washed a bit of the dust off.

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  7. Probably not the thing to say, but I think they look better now...?? :o)

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    1. They certainly seem more Russian with that darker paint scheme.

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    2. Thanks chaps, we shall see if they improve with the addition of more stuff.

      Though Steve you are right, they do look better in terms of the paintwork and the decals, it's just the weathering that's gone to pot.

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  8. What a shame!!
    I admitt to have a lot of trouble with the varnish recently too... not easy to handle it properly

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    1. It'll pass - it can't be any worse than the time I mistook white spray for varnish...

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  9. Persevere with pigments; they are tricky to use but once you get the hang of them you can get some pretty good results.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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    1. I shall, there's some breathtaking stuff on the Guild, but hopefully they won't prove too difficulty to master.

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