Jan 18 2010
Modelmates Weathering Spray Translucent Dye
Modelmates weathering spray is a translucent spray dye, not an acrylic paint.Modelmates colours have dirty tones to them which makes things look old and weathered. It dries fast and is easy to use.Its water soluble. Spray some into a dish and let it dry. Wet it and it will dissolve and behave similar to a water colour paint and can be brush applied.Spray it onto a non-porous surface, let it dry, then smudge and wipe it with a damp tissue to create a weathered effect.See the How To Use page for instructions on spraying.Modelmates is ozone friendly.
Weathering spray dye
MODELMATES
HOW TO USE & GENERAL INFORMATION
It’s Dye, Not Paint - For Use On Models & Scenery - Interior Use Only. All sprays are 200ml sized cans.WARNING:Practice spraying before final use. Always test first on hidden surfaces or off-cuts of a model and ensure compatibilityand adhesion. We recommend practicing techniques on cheaper, disposable models before spraying anything of value. Modelmates can cause permanent discolouration, please read the information below before use. If a surface is porous it will absorb the dye and be permanently discoloured. Many painted and printed surfaces are porous and will be permanently stained by the dye. If in doupt, then seal the surface with Testers Dullcote - 1260 flat lacquer, or similar quality matt lacquer before spraying with Modelmates.
PREPARATIONS BEFORE USE:
Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry and free from grease.Mask areas of the model that are not to be sprayed.Spray over suitable protective sheets.Shake the can for at least 15 seconds before use (and often while spraying).Spray to one side first to clear the nozzle.
THERE ARE FOUR MAIN METHODS OF APPLYING MODELMATES - LISTED BELOW:
1. Even Spray Application For Non Porous Models:The objective is to spray a mist of dye onto the model.Hold the can in an upright position 300mm to 400mm from the model. Point the spray nozzle at the protective sheets to one side and not at the model itself. Fully depress the nozzle and start spraying the protective sheets and immediately move the spray across the model once only in one smooth motion keeping the nozzle fully depressed all the time. Stop depressing the nozzle as soon as the spray has passed over the model. Do not spray back and forth, just once in one direction. The faster the can is moved, the less spray is applied - so move fast, not slow. It always surprises me how much dye is deposited this way, so please spray lightly at first, at least until you are happy with your technique.Use sparingly, apply several light coats rather than one heavy coat, and let each dry before applying another.
Drying time is usually less than a minute.
If the model being sprayed in non-porous it can be smudged with a slightly damp tissue to create a patchy
weathered finish.
The spray must be fully dry and the tissue must be just slightly damp and not wet, otherwise too
much dye will be removed. I find a twisting motion best for smudging. Hold the tissue gently against the surface and twist it, just removing just a small amount of dye at a time.
Another method for more detailed work is to wipe the dye off the surface with the edge of a tissue or with a cotton bud. The wetter the tissue the more dye will be removed.
Re-sprayed and re-smudge several times and the dye will build up where it has not been smudged and will darken in these areas.
2. Dense Spray Application For Non-porous Models:
For a really rustic effect on non-porous plastic models, spray gently with the nozzle almost touching the surface to create a small puddle of dye. Wait about 5 minutes for it to dry - it has to dry completely or this method will not work. Wipe it off gently with slightly damp tissue leaving dry dye trapped in cracks and protrusions such as board joints and stanchions. This may method may remove some of the colour from plastics, so please test a small area first before proceeding. Do not spray puddles of dye onto any paintwork because the alcohol in the spray may cause damage to it.
3. Patchy Application For Scenery And Landscapes:
The can may be held at different distances depending on the finish desired. For dense application on perhaps a tree or shrub, hold the can close to the surface and partially press the nozzle spraying small amounts directly onto the item. On ballast and roads, spray as noted in 1) above, but approx. 100mm from the surface with the nozzle partially depressed, but also spray up close to create dense patches.
4. Dabbing/Painting/Rubbing Onto Models. Modelmates can be dabbed, painted or rubbed onto models. Spray into a container, for example the lid of the can. While the dye is still wet use a fine or stiff brush to apply it to a surface. The dye can also be rubbed on using a damp cloth.
GENERAL SPRAYING INFORMATION
Modelmates may not adhere to very highly polished surfaces and some gloss surfaces. When sprayingModelmates on certain newly applied varnishes & enamels, the dye may not spread evenly over the surface but gather into small clumps. This is usually remedied by rubbing the surface of the varnish or enamel with a dry cloth. After rubbing, the dye will usually adhere to the surface. Alternately, gently clean the area with a little fairly liquid on a damp cloth. If a surface is varnished or enamelled, we recommend testing a small section before applying the whole model. Spots of concentrated dye may appear if the spray nozzle is only partially depressed, fully depress the nozzle when spraying. Heavy spraying may result in the dye dripping or puddling and colour may transfer on to other surfaces. Modelmates should not affect transfers, but please test small areas first. If the transfers are water applied and are not sealed, varnished or enamelled, then they may be damaged if Modelmates is removed using a damp tissue.
CAUTION Please always wear a good quality carbon filter mask when using Modelmates and please use gloves to protect hands. Use only in well ventilated areas.
CAUTION EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE: Pressurised container. Protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray onto naked flame or any incandescent material. Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Keep outof reach of children. Do not breathe vapour/spray. Avoid all contact with skin and eyes.
SNOW EFFECTS SPRAY: CAUTION:
Practice spraying before final use, and always test on hidden surfaces or off-cuts and ensure compatibility and adhesion. Snow spray cannot be removed from most textured surfaces (including model trees, shrubs and grass). It can however be removed from most smooth surfaces by scraping off as much as possible, thenrubbing off what remains using a clean dry cloth and with the assistance of furniture polish spray. Removal of the spray is more difficult once it has hardened. The spray will stick upon contact and takes about an hour to dry slightly harder and a few weeks to fully dry further where it cracks like real snow. It will never full dry hard.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry and free from grease. Mask areas of the model that are not to be sprayed.Spray over suitable protective sheets. Shake the can for at least one minute before use (and often whilespraying). The can has to be slightly warm to work effectively. There is a ball bearing inside and it should rattle when the can is shaken. If the ball bearing does not rattle, warm the can in your hands for about 5 minutes and then shake it vigorously. Keep doing this until you hear the ball bearing and the can feels warm. See below about temperatures exceeding 50°C. The spray will come out very fast if the nozzle is fully depressed. Press the nozzle very gently to create a very light spray and a light dusting of snow. Press harder and more will come out giving the effect of more heavy snow. Fully depress the nozzle for a large amounts of snow. Spray to one side or into the cap before spraying to check that the nozzle is clear. When through spraying, invert can and spray for about one second to remove excess snow from nozzle. Should the nozzle become blocked, remove it and place it in boiling water for a few minutes and it will clear. Wash hands after use. Do not spray into eyes or onto the skin, avoid inhalation of the vapour or spray.Two main methods of application are:-
1) Even Application: Hold the can in an upright position approx. 300mm from the model. Press the nozzle very slightly and a small amount of snow effect will be released from the nozzle. Move the can across the model (or a part of the model) in one smooth motion.
2) Dense Application: Hold the can in an upright position with the nozzle very close to the model. Press the nozzle very slightly and a small amount of snow effect will be released from. Keep nozzle pointing at the same spot or move it slightly depending on the amount of snow desired.
Alternately, simply point the nozzle as close or far from an object as you wish and press light or hard to achive the effect you are after.
CAUTION EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE:
Pressurised container. Protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray onto naked flame or any incandescent material. Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Keep out of reach of children. Do not breathe vapour/spray. Avoid all contact with skin and eyes. Use only in well ventilated areas.
FAQ Guide
Is it a paint:
No, it’s a spray dye, not an acrylic. It dries really fast - usually within a minute.How many coats should I put on:Because it’s a dye and not a paint, the more coats that are applied the darker the colour gets. At exhibitions we have been applying dozens of light coats on plastic wagons, and where it has not been washed off it has become darker and darker. By spraying on light coats and smudging them off, really dark areas can be created.Should I apply heavy coats: We recommend that very light coats are applied, but as you gradually get more used to the spray, heavier coats can be applied, especially for smudging on the sides of plastic wagons.
Will Modelmates colour a surface, like a paint does:
(It can change the colour of a light coloured surface, see the question above).If a light coloured surface is sprayed with a darker Modelmates colour, then Modelmates will be very visible. If a dark surface is sprayed, Modelmates will be hardly visible at all. For example, if a dark surface is sprayed with Light Grey it will not change the colour of the surface to Light Grey, it will still be the same dark colour but possibly slightly duller. Modelmates is translucent and will not change the colour of a dark surface, but depending on the surface, will change the look of it and make it look a little weathered.
If I apply lots of coats of Modelmates, will it darken a surfaces:
Modelmates sits on the surface of non porous materials. The more coats that are applied, the darker it will get. Having made that point, the lightest of the sprays is Light Grey, and it takes a large number of coats to get Light Grey to darken,but it’s still a good for general dulling spray and it will gradually darken to Slate Grey if enough coats are applied.
How long does it take to dry:
Because the spray is alcohol based, a light spray coat takes less than a minute to dry. A heavy quantity of spray can take up to 5 minutes.
Does it wash off:
Modelmates is water soluble (able to be dissolved, especially in water), therefore, it becomes soluble again when water is applied to it. It will wash off most non porous surfaces with a little soap and water, but Modelmates will be absorbed by porous surfaces/materials and cannot be washed off them. Some painted surfaces are porous, and even some plastics are porous, so if Modelmates is intended to be washed off, please always test before use. If a surface/material is porous, then an option is to seal it first before using Modelmates.
What is meant by the word porous:
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary definition of Porous is “(of a rock or other material) having minute spaces through which liquid or air may pass”. The dictionary also gives a definition of seal – “apply a non-porous coating to (a surface) to make it impervious”.
Can I use Modelmates over black things, like train undercarriage:
Because it’s a translucent dye and not a paint, it is very hard to see on black surfaces. You will not really see Modelmates on anything that is already very dark or black. The Compact Oxford English Dictionary defines translucent as “allowing light to pass through partially”. When a surface is sprayed, Modelmates sits upon it as a translucent deposit.
It is very visible on a light coloured surface, but almost invisible on dark or black surfaces.
Will the spray damage plastic or painted finishes:
It is possible, so please read the How To Use page for information on this.Plastics - the quality and method of colouring of plastics varies considerably. We have applied puddles of spray to our through coloured plastic wagons literally hundreds of times and it always washes off without any visible damage. However, we have sprayed a puddle of dye on to a cheaper wagon and it and the colour was dissolved slightly, leaving a white smudge.Because the spray is alcohol based, when a puddle of it is applied to a surface it might dissolve it, thereby removing the colour and/or damaging the plastic. This is why it is always best to test the spray on small hidden areas of a model first before final use.
Painted and printed surfaces - some painted and printed surfaces are porous and can be permanently stained by Modelmates even when applying light coats, please always test before use. If the paint is porous, then an option is to seal it first before using Modelmates.
We had one question regarding spraying puddles of dye on to painted surfaces.
Because the spray is alcohol based, if a puddle of it is applied to a painted surface it might dissolve the paint - so it is best not to do this. One loco we tested had such a fine paint coat that even a slightly heavy application removed the surface of the paint, simply because of the alcohol dissolved it.
Strangely enough, it created a great effect, but it could not be removed because the paint itself had been changed.
If I spray a glossy surface, will it make it a matt finish:
No. Unfortunately, if a glossy surface is sprayed, then after spraying it will still be glossy.Because the spray is translucent, you will just see the glossy surface through Modelmates.
I started work on it right away, and it’s all prepped and primed now and ready to paint! I think I shall paint it in a dark purple with the gold detailing, it should look great when finished!
