Years ago, I used Krylon Clear Matte spray as a varnish for my models. I really liked the smell (!), plus the slightly satin finish it created. Then came The Incident. I bought a can of Krylon at Michael's and used it to varnish some models. The spray dried to a weird frosty textured coating. Temperature and humidity were normal, so I assumed it was a bum can and bought another. Same thing... so I swore off Krylon forever.
This extended to paint for priming as well. For the longest time I've advocated using the cheapest flat black spray you can find. Here in Winnipeg, this is "Colour Place" available at Wal-Mart for less than $2.50 a can. I've used it for a few years but in the last six months or so have noticed that it seems to be getting less pigmented, if that's possible. It's taking several coats just to build up a primer surface, and that's annoying. I'd find I was always running to Wal-Mart to buy more paint.
Enter Krylon... last time I was at Wal-Mart I saw this can of Krylon flat black for about $4.50... and in a moment of weakness decided to try it. What a revelation. Wide spray pattern, great for priming larger models like vehicles. Great coverage in one pass. A nice flat finish with plenty of tooth for the basecoat to latch on to. The can seems to be lasting a long time too, I've primed two Rhinos, a Vindicator and six Tyranid warriors so far and probably used less than half a can.
Recommended!!
I agree. The new nozzle design used on the Kylon cans is brilliant. It gives a nice, fan-shaped spray that feels almost like an airbrush. Too bad about your matt spray problems, (I still use Krylon) maybe it was a bad batch.
ReplyDeleteI switched to Krylon after the GW Chaos Black started ruining a few figures, and I agree - it's the best stuff out there.
ReplyDeleteI too lost figures to Krylon, and have never, ever gone back. Right now I've been using the GW "Purity Seal", and it's actually been awesome, even better than Testor's. I'm suspicious...
Spray sealer horror stories abound, and I have found that the solution (thus far) is to avoid spray sealers entirely, and I swtiched to brushing on a coat of Future, with a dash of flat sealer to cut the gloss. I do this when I ink, and it seems to be working well.
ReplyDeleteI may go back and spray seal later, but for now, brush on is the way I am going.