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Message: <blockquote data-quote="nyrfherdr" data-source="post: 2097536" data-attributes="member: 3394">Pogre,You asked about the wings on the Balrog a few days ago.  I used a CRACKLE medium on the Balrog!!!It turned out very well, but it was a frustrating experience for a couple of reasons.Here is a review of the process I went through:DECISION/EVALUATION:1.  Crackle medium is a strange beast.  You need a good area to cover for the cracks to show well enough to make sense and look good.2.  You need a good contrast of colors for the underlying coat and the overcoat color that will crack.3.  It works best if the underlying color is very light and the overcoat is very dark.4.  YOU MUST EXPERIMENT before putting the crackle medium on your final work.5.  Each brand of medium reacts a little differently.  Follow the instructions carefully.6. (I used up all of the crackle medium so I don't know the brand name.  I got it from a Craft store, though.)Here are the steps I followed on my Balrog:1.  I tested on wood first (for another project)2.  I tested on plastic next (the wings of the Balrog are plastic)3.  I test on metal (because I wanted to crackled the chest and tail too).4.  I painted the Balrog in Yellow, Red and Orange - Flames, Magma, whatever.  It looked goofy, but the colors were true to heated stone.  Basically lighter on the inside where it was hotter and darker on the outside.5.  I covered the wings and tail with the crackle medium.6.  Following the instructions I painted black onto the figure covering the painstaking effort to recreate a magma look and feel.7.  The cracks turned out to be very subtle.  I liked the effect, but wished they were more pronounced. 8.  I did it again to try and get bigger cracks, but it didn't work the second time either.9.  I then carefully highlighted the black.10.  I sealed the mini. (This is probably my most upsetting mini story of all.  The sealant can I used was from a bad batch.  White stuff filled in all the cracks and crevices of the mini.)11.  After ruining my careful paintjob and crackle experiment, I attempted to strip the mini.  I ended up stripping the metal, but somehow pitting the plastic wings.  I replaced the wings...12.  I repeated steps 4, 5,6,7 and 9.13.  I sealed the mini and then added a few touch ups of color over the sealant to bring out different parts of the mini.As is often the case, the photo doesn't do the mini justice, the Balrog did turn out quite well.  I've only seen a couple of other versions that were as true to the movie in tone and effect. I would use the Crackle medium again, but it is time consuming and sometimes the effects are out of my control, which can be frustrating.  I hope that is informative.Game ON!Nyrfherdr</blockquote>

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