Paint Rescue

[Umbran]

Perhaps someone here will know something useful to me.

I'm a novice painter of minis. A bit over a year ago, a D&D campaign I was playing in went on hiatus. I set aside my brushes, since there wasn't much sue for anything I painted. I also set aside the paints. Now, with the campaign starting up again, I'd like to paint again.

The paints were Citadel Colors. Screw tops. I have since learned that the screw tops of Citadel paint pots don't keep a very tight seal. Many of the paints are heavily dried out, but not completely. All together, they represent a goodly investment of $$. So faced with replacing them all, or putting soem time and small amounts of $$ into rescue, I'd prefer to try rescue.

When one needs to thin acrylic paints a bit, one can use water. But many of these need a lot of thinning. Should I be looking for an acrylic paint base in an art store to thin them down again?

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

The paints were Citadel Colors. Screw tops. I have since learned that the screw tops of Citadel paint pots don't keep a very tight seal. Many of the paints are heavily dried out, but not completely. All together, they represent a goodly investment of $$. So faced with replacing them all, or putting soem time and small amounts of $$ into rescue, I'd prefer to try rescue.

When one needs to thin acrylic paints a bit, one can use water. But many of these need a lot of thinning. Should I be looking for an acrylic paint base in an art store to thin them down again?

Don't thin the paints with water, even when you are painting, not trying to rescue dried up paint. Use acrylic paint thinner, which you can find at Michaels Crafts, Wal-Mart, or just about anyplace that sells acrylic paint.

As far as fixing your Citadel paints, you can try it, but don't hold your breath for good results. When they dry out, they are pretty much dead. I've tossed plenty of bottles of them, before I leaned that there are other paints out there that are much better quality, won't dry up as fast, and are MUCH cheaper.

 

[pogre]

Have to agree with the librarian on the GW paints. You might try less expesive paints or try Vallejo. Some places that sell Vallejo on the web guarantee they will not dry out for 5 years. I have had some of mine for over three years and no sign of drying up!

 

[Umbran]

Use acrylic paint thinner, which you can find at Michaels Crafts, Wal-Mart, or just about anyplace that sells acrylic paint.

Went to our local Michael's. Didn't find anything labelled as 'acrylic paint thinner'. Saw lots of different forms of 'acrylic paint medium', which looks like it might serve the purpose, but might not. I will, however, wait for them to at least restock, as I don't need an 8 oz bottle fo the stuff.

As far as fixing your Citadel paints, you can try it, but don't hold your breath for good results.

Hold my breath? No. But take a stab at it? Yes. I can spend a few bucks on paint thinner and a little work and see what happens, or I can spend $40 or more to replace the paints I had. If it doesn't work, I at least know I tried, right?

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Don't thin the paints with water, even when you are painting...

Sorry to hijack a bit, but I have never heard this before. ( I am a relative newbie to mini painting I'm on number 12 or so )

CL: I have never used a thinner, but I bet it creates less bubbles... I'll give it a try. Do you thin inks for washes with thinner, or do you still use water for that?

TIA

 

[KnowTheToe]

Sorry to hijack a bit, but I have never heard this before. ( I am a relative newbie to mini painting I'm on number 12 or so )

CL: I have never used a thinner, but I bet it creates less bubbles... I'll give it a try. Do you thin inks for washes with thinner, or do you still use water for that?

TIA

Yes I thin washes with thinner.

I will also add a few drops of water to pots that are getting too thick. When I thin my paints on a pallet I use thinner and extender mix.


FYI, for any screw on top, especially GW, store your pots upside down. The paint will cover the lid seam and they will not dry out very quickly. I still have some of the old D&D line paints that are well over 10 years old.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

CL: I have never used a thinner, but I bet it creates less bubbles... I'll give it a try. Do you thin inks for washes with thinner, or do you still use water for that?

I use water with my inks, but I rarely use inks, so I can't give you any tips for them. For the paints, yes, there are less bubbles. Thinner is basically the base for the paint, without any pigment added. There are several different thinners out there, I use Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Thinner, but I know people who use one called "Acrylthin" (I think that s the name) that you can find as hobby/model shops. Its much more expensive, I don't know if it works better.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Went to our local Michael's. Didn't find anything labelled as 'acrylic paint thinner'. Saw lots of different forms of 'acrylic paint medium', which looks like it might serve the purpose, but might not. I will, however, wait for them to at least restock, as I don't need an 8 oz bottle fo the stuff.

At Michaels, the thinner should be in the aisle right next to the acrylic paints (Apple Barrel, Delta Ceramcoat, etc.) As I mentioned in the post above, I use Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Thinner. It is a small, 2 oz. bottle, and says "Painter's Helper" next to the name. I'd ask any of the clerks for help in the paint aisle, they should be able to help you. I've found the staff at Michaels to generally be helpful, and they usually know the store very well. If they can't find it, ask for a manager.