12 replies to this topic

[mystefansdontflystraight]

Hey guys. I painted my crossbow with krylon fusion, and Citadel (games workshop) paints over that. Everything was going fine until I tried to put on the clear-coat.
I was using this stuff to do the clear coat. I was getting that awful crackling effect, which really pissed me off, because now I have to re-do the entire handle of my crossbow.

Any advice on what clear coat to use would be most welcome.

[cheesypiza001]

I also got a bad cracking thing going on in the paint when I used a Krylon clear coat (Not the same one you used).

I think that you may have to let the first few coats dry a lot until you apply the clear coats, but I could be wrong.

Edited by cheesypiza001, 24 September 2009 - 05:09 PM.

[Blacksunshine]

The cheese is right. Drying is essential to avoid the crackling. Prepping has alot to do with it as well. But even with that I like to use some sealer on a blaster before I hit it with the Krylon 3x gloss coat. The sealer I would suggest is
http://www.plaidonli...itemID=CS200307

It actually does come in matte as well as gloss.
I usually let things dry for at least 24hr before I hit it with the sealer or the gloss.
depending on the blaster I will sometimes leave it with the sealer. Moving peices sometimes don't give enough clearance for teh thick gloss coat.

Edited by Blacksunshine, 24 September 2009 - 05:19 PM.

[dizzyduck]

I wouldn't recommend using Citadel paints. They're expensive, soupy, and fade over time with exposure to light.

http://www.spaceagep...id_product=8570
That's the stuff I use for clear-coats. It's wonderful stuff.

[The Kart Racing Nerf Man]

I use Citadel paints a lot as they have a huge variety of colors. I have had the same effect with using clear coats but i would wait a good 24-36 hours before clear coating it, and do a couple of light coats to avoid the crackling. Thats what i did for my red longshot and i did not get a crackling effect. Hope this helps!

[Merzlin]

I also use Games Workshop paints, and it dry incredibly quick. I usually let it dry for an hour or so. For the clear coat, I apply it as I would apply a base coat. Light, thin, and multiple coats untill it comes out great! Let atleast 30 minutes drying time inbetween each coat.

[Seven7h Man]

GS paint leaves a wonderful finish. Plus they were deigned for warhammer figurines, which are made of plastic. What are nerf gun shells made of? Plastic.

Also what my painting technique is, is to spray Krylon flat white on the shell which basically turns the shell into a blank canvas, fit for painting.

Edited by Seven7h Man, 24 September 2009 - 08:43 PM.

[Fome]

I use this stuff:


This stuff:


And this stuff:


In that order.
The most important part to making a durable paintjob is allowing the paint to dry for 24+ hours. I even let the primer (krylon fusion) dry for about 72 hours just to be safe.
Learning to mix your own colors is essential, there's no reason to buy a bottle of "butt-chunk sunrise" when you could easily mix it yourself. It'll save you a lot of money in the long run. Metallics are the exception.

Also, heavy sanding and acetone washes help a LOT before you prime. Nerf guns seem to have some sort of gloss on them, getting that all off = no scratches.

TL;DR?

properly prep your work, allow it to dry fully before moving to the next step.

[Kyrativ]

Damn, kinda sucks to hear that about my old xbow...
ive heard of people/have done myself of soaking minatures in a bath of green works, if you need to remove that paint, it would work just would take a while/lots of green works.

[TantumBull]

I've had a lot of trouble with this in the past. The key is very thin coats and holding the can farther away from the blaster. Letting it dry as others have said is also essential.

[pjotrkuh]

I use the Games workshop Purity Seal spray, works a charm (for me), BUT do not spray it to thick, because it wil leave a yellowish glaze

[BritNerfMogul]

Wow, surprised I took so long to reply here...

I find mixing paints and sealers from different companys is a BAD idea. Most of the ones I've tried, it all eneded horribly.

I personal would go with Citadel's Purity Seal. Works wonders on my stuff...

[mystefansdontflystraight]

Thanks for the great responses guys. I will try to go get some purity seal.
Thanks!