Paint too smooth?

[dave]

I've run into an issue that I haven't seen before. I've base coated my bullgors with the airbrush, citadel paint over vallejo primer. Trying to paint over that, washes or just paint, with a regular brush is proving difficult. The first coat always wants to bead off, and has difficultly sticking to the paint. It's not nearly as bad as bare plastic, but it's a pain.

It feels like that base coat turned out too smooth and the next layers have nothing to bite into. Anyone have experience with this, or know what I likely did wrong?

[distractedcarnifex]

Hmm. I use Vallejo German Panzer Grey Surface Primer as my airbrushed undercoat and I have not had issues with GW Air Paints or standard GW paints afterwards. I find this Vallejo surface primer somewhat tacky, which seems to help with adhesion. Haven't tried other ones.

Also not a paint guru by any stretch!

[Jack Shrapnel]

Never had that happen... also use Vallejo primer combined with citadel paint and either Vallejo or Army Painter air paint as well.

Is it a certain color that is doing it?

[dave]

I'm also using vallejo primer (black and white mix). Next layer, the one with the issue, is rakarth flesh, regular version that I thinned myself.

[distractedcarnifex]

Oct 27, 2022 21:58:23 GMT -5 dave said:

I'm also using vallejo primer (black and white mix). Next layer, the one with the issue, is rakarth flesh, regular version that I thinned myself.

I do find Rakarth Flesh can be hard to work with. Maybe experiment with your mix over a rattle-can undercoat to see if it’s the Rakarth mix or the undercoat?

[dave]

Yeah, that's probably the best idea. When in doubt, experiment. Thanks for the input.

[distractedcarnifex]

I asked Uncle Atom from Tabletop Minions. He suggested using a Matt Varnish over the basecoat.

[dave]

Beauty! Thanks for that. I do like that guy. Will definitely give it a try on the next unit.