Digital M@ Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 OK, I have been away from painting for several years and a combination of my inner voice and girlfriend has convinced me to start painting again. It is amazing how much I have forgotten. Now for my questions What do you use for flow improver? Do you add water to Reaper flow improver? What is the ratio? If it is already diluted, that is one expensive bottle. I have ordered the master paint kit 2 and should get it in the mail by the end of the week. I found my brushes, bought a few minis, a file some glue, flowquil primer, and a pin vice. I need to get some testors flat sealant. Anything else I am forgetting before I get started? I am pumped. I even found a group that gets together on Thursday nights at a local store to paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenity Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Flow improver is one of those personal things. Since MSPs have flow improver in them, many painters don't add any. I use a 10% mix of Liquitex Flow Aid and water when I want some extra. When my RMS paint bottles need some water added, that's usually when I add some flow improver. I haven't used Reaper's flow improver, but I'm pretty sure it is pre-diluted. There are two articles in the Craft you may want to look at: A Beginning Mini Painter's Shopping List and A Beginning Mini Painter's Shopping List, Part 2. If you are into figure preparation, you might want some Milliput, Magic Sculpt, or similar putty and some fine (400-1000 grit) wet/dry sandpapers. You can make up a slurry out of putty and water and paint it on any rough areas on the figure. When it cures, the sandpaper can help get things nice and smooth before you prime. Putty is also useful for smoothing out joints. You may need some fine wire or brass rod, or paperclips and a set of side cutters or sprue cutters for pinning. If you want to paint anything glossy, some brush-on sealer or varnish would be good. If you want to make your paint jobs more durable, a first coat of gloss varnish spray or brush-on would be good before the Testor's Dull cote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haldir Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Wow, a familiar "face" here on the board!! Welcome back Matt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital M@ Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Wow, a familiar "face" here on the board!! Welcome back Matt! Thanks, it is good to be back. I remember using Liquitex Flow Aid with something added to slow the drying time as well. Thanks for the links to the craft section. I will read those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg of Coot Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I use Liquitex Flow Aid mixed with water - 1:10 and 1:5 depending on what I'm doing. You're thinking about a retarder in your post above. My weapon of choice is Liquitex Slo-Dri, once again mixed with some water in varying proportions depending on the job at hand. The Egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted February 1, 2011 Moderator Share Posted February 1, 2011 I've used Liquitex Flow-Aid with RMS paints and had good results. I'm now using RMS Flow-aid straight from the bottle. I went this route because it is handy, labeled, and fits my travel painting case. Also, I only use it now for washes and glazes as the flow improver in the RMS paints is more than enough for all other applications and I can just dilute with distilled water. Welcome back. We missed you around here. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital M@ Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 I've used Liquitex Flow-Aid with RMS paints and had good results. I'm now using RMS Flow-aid straight from the bottle. I went this route because it is handy, labeled, and fits my travel painting case. Also, I only use it now for washes and glazes as the flow improver in the RMS paints is more than enough for all other applications and I can just dilute with distilled water. Welcome back. We missed you around here. Andy Thanks Andy, I will have to try the distilled water for dillution of the RMS. I was using Anne's old mix recipe in the past. I have purchesed the RMS version of flo-aid and will see what I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flit Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Welcome back! I use plain ole filtered water for thinning MSPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferox Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I'm messing around with a 20:1 water:RMS flow improver 'gunk' mix at present, and boy howdy is it wet. Maybe it's just soaking up water from my wet palette's sponge, or some crazy contaminant from the skull agitator is mucking things up, but it sure seems like this stuff kills surface tension more effectively than pure flow improver. YMMV, void where prohibited, &c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feltisgirl Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I use the liquitex flow improver as well. I use 1 part flow improver to 20 parts water. Mind you, I'm using gw paints that were given to me and they were old when I got them. As a result, they need a lot of thinning down to flow properly. I have a friend who simply adds a drop of liquid soap to some water when he needs to thin, but I've found the liquitex works better and doesn't mess up my metalic like water does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaGie Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I'm using Winsor & Newton Galeria flow improver, 1 part to 20 parts of water. It works really well for me, but I haven't yet tried it with RMS paints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EldarCorsair Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I've tried Liquitex Flow Aid in the past and, if I didn't immediately clean the brush after use, there was always a clear, glycerin-like buildup. Ruined 2 brushes that way. Lately, I've been using Winsor & Newton Galeria Flow Improver, mixed 1:20 with water. Great results so far and no buildup if I forget to clean my brushes. It's cheap too! A 250ml bottle costs me about $5 and lasts a least a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital M@ Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Can you get the W&N flo improver througha typical small local art supply store or do you think I will have to go to a chain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyberwolfe1 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Can you get the W&N flo improver througha typical small local art supply store or do you think I will have to go to a chain? Most local art suppliers carry it. You can also find it at Hobby Lobby and Michael's. The nice thing about the chain stores is you can get 40% off coupons online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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