Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Harry Faversham on April 23, 2024, 09:05:37 AM

Title: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 23, 2024, 09:05:37 AM
Very weird stuff, or I've got a dodgy bottle? Black/blue's a very strong and powerful colour. Yet this stuff goes on like a wash, then dries gloss. No amount of mixing makes any difference. Worse bit, even after 24 hours, it lifts when varnished.
One off dodgy bottle, or a crap product?
 ???
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: zemjw on April 23, 2024, 09:16:24 AM
I have a bottle of that that I've never had problems with it, so it does sound like you got a bad 'un :(

You could try dropping a stainless steel ball bearing in the bottle, in case the pigment is stuck on the bottom.

I have had mixed success with vortex mixers, eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Control-Agitator-Shaking-Blender-Laboratory/dp/B092CXYWZW/ref=sr_1_5, but that could be overkill. As much as they're useful, the vibrations really don't settle my hands for the upcoming painting session ;D
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Cubs on April 23, 2024, 09:34:15 AM
Vallejo is notoriously difficult to mix, even with the most vigorous shaking. The ball bearing is a decent shout, but I'd pull the dropper off and get the end of a paintbrush down there for a really good churn, then put it back on and shake again. This is why I like to buy Vallejo for the price and quality of the paint, but then decant them into paint pots with lids for use.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 23, 2024, 10:51:24 AM
Thanks chaps, sounds like I've  got a wrong 'un!
There's two or three stainless steel bbs rattling around in the bottle, doing bugger all!
 :'(
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Dags on April 23, 2024, 10:57:35 AM
I've had the odd dodgy bottle (assorted colours) over the years - bin it and get a replacement; life's too short to muck around woth something that costs 3 quid.

As an aside, I store Vallejo upside down, allow them to settle, and then just use the pigment. Need to thin more but no need to spend time shaking.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Dubar on April 23, 2024, 01:14:58 PM
I hate it when that happens!  ;D

I've been using a fingernail polish shaker I got off Amazon to mix mine up but still have to handshake and sometimes stir with a stick to get some of the Vallejo paints mixed.  Just make sure the top insert and the top are on tight before giving them a spin, I had the screw-on top come off 1 bottle while in the fingernail polish machine but at least the insert stayed put.  I think those inserts with the small hole keep the paint from drying up so fast.

I think I have close to 60 bottles now and so far none have been dried up.  When I first got into this I mistakenly bought a couple of bottles of their paint for use in an airbrush, that stuff is watery thin for brush use.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Daeothar on April 23, 2024, 03:43:41 PM
I've found that, especially with the Model Color range, certain Vallejo colours separate quite quickly.  I've got several darker blue and green colours that do exactly the same as you described.

I tend to soldier on and apply a matt varnish after I use one of those colours and that works. But also they're mostly colours I can easily mix up with more compliant paints, so it's rare I use them straight.

As for separation; their oranges in particular are pretty horrible, just like the yellows... ::)
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Elbows on April 23, 2024, 03:49:15 PM
Either a bad bottle or simply a very old stock bottle.  While I don't have issues with most Vallejo myself, I do add shakers and every year or two I'll add a little medium/water to the bottles to try to keep them hydrated enough, etc.

Occasionally I find myself thinking "Ugh, this beige is too thick..." then realize I've had the bottle for 12 years... lol
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: infelix on April 23, 2024, 06:03:07 PM
I dug up my old bottle of that color and it seems fine and I haven't really had any problems with them requiring excessive shaking, but then, I'm used to Scale75 paints and they require A LOT of shaking lol.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: 2010sunburst on April 23, 2024, 06:54:40 PM
Blues drying with a glossy sheen is not unusual in my experience.  I think it’s the nature of the pigment, bit like reds being semi transparent.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: armchairgeneral on April 23, 2024, 07:03:50 PM

As an aside, I store Vallejo upside down, allow them to settle, and then just use the pigment. Need to thin more but no need to spend time shaking.

Same here
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: vodkafan on April 26, 2024, 04:59:29 AM
Only problem I had with that is that it's not dark enough. The old Citadel Regal Blue was the Dog's Bollocks of dark blues I miss it terribly  :'(
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: SteveBurt on April 26, 2024, 02:16:35 PM
For colours like Prussian Blue I use artist acrylics (the soft body ones) from Liquitex. Very good coverage and work out much cheaper than hobby paints. I always store Vallejo bottles upside down.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: 2010sunburst on April 26, 2024, 03:22:56 PM
A good indigo would be an asset to the Vallejo model colour range I feel.  It does lack a good dark blue.  The dark Prussian blue is OK, but does lack depth.
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Orctrader on April 26, 2024, 04:39:51 PM
...dries gloss.

Prussian Blue always dries glossy.

I store Vallejo upside down...just use the pigment

Me too.

(And Prussian Blue still dries glossy.  As I varnish my figures to a matt finish it's alright in the end.   ::))
Title: Re: Vallejo Prussian Blue.
Post by: Dags on April 26, 2024, 04:44:05 PM
Tamiya Flat Base FTW