I picked up a bottle of this stuff a week or two ago to try out for some weathering. Turns out, it seems to be lacquer based, and most of my builds are finished in MM Acryls with Future coats on them. I’m pretty sure a lacquer will eat both of these, as well as styrene, if not prepared for first. So, should I use an enamel clear coat before I try to do a wash with Grimy Black? What’s the usual technique when dealing with this stuff?
Thanks!
Chris
Floquil’s Grimy Black is an excellent paint in and of itself for doing black subjects. It is a VERY dark charcoal gray with a hint of a brown tone. Yet it allows you to go darker for a shadow-producing wash. It is my go-to color for modern USN subs. Grimy Black is not a final weathering paint such as Floquil’s Dust, Mud, or Earth.
That being said, using Grimy Black as a weathering agent should not present any problems over an acrylic paint sealed with Future, Treat the black as an enamel or oils, make the wash with mineral spirits or Turpenoid. Yes, lacquer thinner or straight turpentine may be too hot. The layer of Future will protect the underlying paint. Do not apply in deep standing puddle… Work slow and build the shadow layer.
And as always, experiment first with a new product or process before committing to a fine model.
Floquil is enamel now. Years ago it was laquer.
Bill
I bought some about a year and a half ago, and have had no compatibility problems (I generally use enamels). I had always mixed other colors into black myself to get the same effect, but it is sure nice not to have to do that, and just use the black out of the bottle.
Ahhh…so what can I thin it with? Mineral spirits? And is it still safe to go on top of a coat of Future?
To use it as a wash I have thinned it with Distilled water and a drop or 2 of dish detergent. And yes over future for the gloss coat.
Thanks for all your tips, guys! I’ll give it a try tonight and see what happens.