Tutorial - Fixing Fogging For Fools 4

First, let's take a look at one of my normal Rhinos (i.e. not fogged up). I apologize for the poor photos on this, I plan on setting up something to take better photography once I get into my home.

Now then, this next photo is of one of my Predators that I 'fogged'. I make that sound like I did it on purpose, did I not. At this stage I have done nothing to it. The photo below that is a blown up image of the same vehicle from the front.



As you can see from the photos, everything has been effected. The mist has ruined the metal sections, fogged the beige and also the dark grey on the model. I think everyone can assume I was heartbroken. Damn Mississippi summers with it's constant rain. I think I live in the tropics sometimes.

Now, this next photo is after a coat of Tester's Dullcoat. When I used the effect, I remember thinking that it helped, but honestly, it simply was not enough. I still think it knocked down the effect slightly, so that is not a bad strategy to use on models where the fogging has been slight.

Here you go:



Last night I was finally able to take a hard look at the model and realized it was just not acceptable. The last method I used was probably the most effective. It's called make a watered down base color and fix the stupid problem.

I mixed my base dark with water down quite a bit until it was the consistency of a wash an colored it onto the large areas of the models, leaving the edges unfixed. The fogging actually just highlighted the model some. A lighter washing could be used to knock these back if necessary.

The other problem I noticed was that the metal bits on the model were not only NOT shiny (which happens anytime you use a dullcoat/nongloss sealant) but that they had turned from a grey to a white. So I went back over all of the metal bits with some base color to make it pop a bit more. Lastly the areas of the models I had weathered had discolored. The dirt and grime now looked poor, so I added another layer of weathering (I'll talk through how I do weathering in another article, not a problem for today).

This was the final effect. Not quite perfect to be honest, but much better then repainting the entire model. Luckily for me I wanted this army to be heavily weathered so the rough look worked well with the model itself.


Tomorrow I will put up photo's of my next project.

Tutorial - Fixing Fogging for Fools 3

The things NOT to do.

Yesterday I covered not going over again with the Games Workshop Purity seal, this is not a helpful hint.

I also tried to coat it with a paint on varnish from GW, the 'ardcoat. No effect at all.

So I went to the local craft store and bought the following two products.

Testors Dullcoat

and

Testors Gloss Coat

Now, thankfully the cardboard that I sprayed my models on had also 'fogged' so I tested the effects on these, which I advise you to do as well. If not you just end up with a caked models as you move through the test process. Even if you decide to go forward with one of the methods that I have advised, then still test it on something else!

So I tested the two, and found that both worked, to different degrees. I thought from my view that the Dullcoat worked better. Now, when I say "worked" I don't mean that the fog magically went away, I mean that it seemed to knock it back down, bringing out the original color on the models. Let's say there was 50% less fog. Instead of a white fog all over the plate it dialed it back and there was simply a light amount on it now. All in all, I consider this a success.

The next thing to test was the effects of light washes on the models. Was there a way to use a light wash to knock the color back to it's original type? That next on Fixing Fogging for Fools 4 and the last update on this issue.

Tutorial - Fixing Fogging For Fools 2

So after reading through the internet, here are the sudgestions that I found for fixing the fogging.

First, to respray the original clear coat onto the model, in a non humid environment.

Next, was everyone just saying "Buy [insert Random Company Sealer] and you won't have this problem." Sadly, if you are at the stage where you have this problem already, this... of course... is less then helpful.

Next, was to purchase Testor's Dullcoat, that it would fix the problem.

Also a sudgestion was to hit it with a Glass Varnish, then go back over later with the Testor's Dullcoat. The thought process here is that the fogging is actually a iregularity in the the model, with the dullcoat actually causing this to break the shine, and that the varnish gives it the smooth vinish back, thus fixing the problem. I wasn't so sure about that.

Lastly was to go over the areas with a watered down base coat to try and get the color back. I considered this the last repost, and something I would do only if necessary.

So, the first think I did after I realized the prolem was to attempt to cover the model with another coat of Games Workshop Purity Seal. While this did not add to the problem, it did not help either. I found that at first the results seemed to have worked, but when I came back later, the fogging was just as bad.

The first option was Fail. I will discuss the rest tomorrow.

Tutorial - Fixing Fogging For Fools 1

I live in the deep south. This week I felt like I was going from a sub-tropical environment to a tropical, it has rained (this means it fucking stormed to people on the west coast) every day for around an hour.

Yesterday I returned and finally put the finishing touches including weathering and final stuff i needed on two Predators and a Rhino. I then pulled out my trusty Games Workshop Purity Seal to make sure that they didn't get damaged, walked out side (because the wife will not let me spray inside) and hit them with it.

If you have done this before, you should realize what is coming next.

I walked back inside to find that various parts of my models (especially the black) portions were covered with a thin "fog" that clouded the paint on them. About a month of work down the tube.

Now, I am not giving up, and desperately won't to fix it, so for anyone else having this problem, I will be going through all of the steps that I try to fix my models. I have cruised a ton of forums on how this may or may not be done, and I feel like I'm swimming through a world of half truths and myths. I will find a way, or not.

At least you as the reader, if (when) you have this problem happen to you will know how to combat it.

However, first, let's talk about how NOT to do this.

First, don't use Armory Primer or Spray. I did for awhile, and in my opinion, they all suck. They can do worse then fog, they can actually give your models this horribal rough coat that ruins the model itself (unless you strip it).

I have been using Games Workshop Purity Seal and this is the first problem I have had with them. I would like to shake my finger at them and claim that it was all their fault, but I don't think it is.

(1) Do NOT put a varnish on when it was humid, no matter how excited you are.

(2) Shake the can. Shake it some more. Do a dance with it. Shake the can for two (2) minutes

(3) Spray a test something or other to make sure it will not fog on you. Wait 10 minute to make sure.

These things will help make sure you are not in the same position that I am in.

Sadly, if you found this article on the internet... it's too late for that, isn't it!

I will post my steps to fixing this tomorrow.