A problem with custom figures- the dust won't go away!

[tyrantqueen]

Hi
I have several repainted figures that I commissioned from an artist on the board (you can see them in my sig, although the problem is not visible there). They were stored on a shelf and they got a bit dusty. The dust has become embedded in the crevices of the sculpt and I can't remove it. I suspect it was an issue with the varnish not drying correctly.

I thought that maybe some of the fault was on my end since I did let them get dusty, but if the varnish is so tacky that dust is getting embedded in it, something wasn't done correctly.

I don't want to use to any harsh chemicals, this may damage the paint. I just scrubbed gently with a toothbrush and soap- no luck.

The Papo Pachy is the worst off- he is sticky to the touch and looks like he is covered in a fine layer of fur because of the dust particles.

It really sucks, since they were gorgeous commissions. I am thinking about displaying any future repaints in a glass case to protect against this happening again.

[Lanthanotus]

Unfortunately I have no solution for your problem, just an observation to share....

I do customizations myself (never commisioned anything) and use Citadel Acrylic Paint (Games Workshop, water based) for this. Exact same paints on several figures, sometimes mixed, sometimes as it comes from the jar. I found that the final result in terms of touch/stickiness seems to be somehow related to the plastic the figure is made from. I really do not have any chemical/physical explanation for this at hand, but while figures as the casts by MIXUS MINIMAX and Kayakasaurus or the Safari Malawisaurus are completly dry to the touch, the Favorite Ankylosaurus, Bullyland Brontosaurus or CollectA Daxiatitan are not, despite being painted weeks or even months ago (the Malwi on the other hand is still in progress, but each layer dired perfectly fine). I cannot say though, if the Ankylosaurus, Bronotsaurus or Daxiatitan may attract and collect dust as the first two are currently sealed away to wait for another time to be finished, the Daxiatitan is within a glass cabinet, so quite well protected.

Hope you can find a solution that causes no damage to your figures, good luck.

[tyrantqueen]

Unfortunately I have no solution for your problem, just an observation to share....

I do customizations myself (never commisioned anything) and use Citadel Acrylic Paint (Games Workshop, water based) for this. Exact same paints on several figures, sometimes mixed, sometimes as it comes from the jar. I found that the final result in terms of touch/stickiness seems to be somehow related to the plastic the figure is made from. I really do not have any chemical/physical explanation for this at hand, but while figures as the casts by MIXUS MINIMAX and Kayakasaurus or the Safari Malawisaurus are completly dry to the touch, the Favorite Ankylosaurus, Bullyland Brontosaurus or CollectA Daxiatitan are not, despite being painted weeks or even months ago (the Malwi on the other hand is still in progress, but each layer dired perfectly fine). I cannot say though, if the Ankylosaurus, Bronotsaurus or Daxiatitan may attract and collect dust as the first two are currently sealed away to wait for another time to be finished, the Daxiatitan is within a glass cabinet, so quite well protected.

Hope you can find a solution that causes no damage to your figures, good luck.

That is food for thought. Did you use primer on your figures? I would have thought that a good quality primer would create a barrier between the plastic and the paint (as well as conferring all the other benefits you can get from primers) I know that all of my commissioned figures were NOT primed beforehand.

Fun fact: GW's paint is just Windsor and Newton acrylic which they decant into small containers and sell with mark up. It's something of an open secret. I'm not saying their paint is bad or anything (I actually really like their Nuln oil and their dry brush paints) but GW loves to price gouge.

Sadly I think they're beyond saving. The only unaffected ones are the Iguanodon and the Dimetrodon.

[stargatedalek]

You might be able to remove the dust with a hot air dryer, though that's not likely to do any more than rinsing them did. Assuming you can remove the dust but they're still sticky you could try applying a second coating of varnish, that might solve the stickiness of it.

[paintingdinos]

I've seen other members here have issues with Papo repaints becoming sticky, even when primed before painting. I'm working on one now, first time repainting a Papo, and I'm admittedly a bit nervous.

That said, its hard to imagine a properly primed model having this issue. I've had other issues due to improper priming (including poor paint adhesion), but I've never had a figure become sticky.

Hope you find a good solution to this!

[Simon]

I've seen other members here have issues with Papo repaints becoming sticky, even when primed before painting. I'm working on one now, first time repainting a Papo, and I'm admittedly a bit nervous.

That said, its hard to imagine a properly primed model having this issue. I've had other issues due to improper priming (including poor paint adhesion), but I've never had a figure become sticky.

Hope you find a good solution to this!

This sounds like a case of using enamel paints instead of acrylic.  The model will not get sticky if you use water-based acrylic paint to repaint it.  If you use enamel by mistake, it will get sticky. Been there done that.  Made the mistake once and never again. 

[tyrantqueen]

I've seen other members here have issues with Papo repaints becoming sticky, even when primed before painting. I'm working on one now, first time repainting a Papo, and I'm admittedly a bit nervous.

That said, its hard to imagine a properly primed model having this issue. I've had other issues due to improper priming (including poor paint adhesion), but I've never had a figure become sticky.

Hope you find a good solution to this!

This sounds like a case of using enamel paints instead of acrylic.  The model will not get sticky if you use water-based acrylic paint to repaint it.  If you use enamel by mistake, it will get sticky. Been there done that.  Made the mistake once and never again. 

Nope, they were most definitely not enamels. Copper, the artist who repainted the figures, has stated that she uses acrylics.

[Simon]

Hi
I have several repainted figures that I commissioned from an artist on the board (you can see them in my sig, although the problem is not visible there). They were stored on a shelf and they got a bit dusty. The dust has become embedded in the crevices of the sculpt and I can't remove it. I suspect it was an issue with the varnish not drying correctly.

I thought that maybe some of the fault was on my end since I did let them get dusty, but if the varnish is so tacky that dust is getting embedded in it, something wasn't done correctly.

I don't want to use to any harsh chemicals, this may damage the paint. I just scrubbed gently with a toothbrush and soap- no luck.

The Papo Pachy is the worst off- he is sticky to the touch and looks like he is covered in a fine layer of fur because of the dust particles.

It really sucks, since they were gorgeous commissions. I am thinking about displaying any future repaints in a glass case to protect against this happening again.

Its not your fault.  If the figures are "sticky" it is the fault of the artist for using the wrong kind of paints - or the wrong kind of sealant after the paint dried, that made them sticky.  (Yeah, I know what she told you - but it could have been just an honest mistake.  It happens to all of us from time to time).  If the figures were properly painted this would not have been a problem. 

The best way to get dust off of figures is just to run water over them - but of course that won't work unless the paint job was done properly and is dry to the touch.

[Lanthanotus]

Well, I do not know who's the producer of GW paints and they sure are expensive when you look at the volume/price ratio, but on the other hand they offer a lot of colors that are usefull if you don't want to mix everything on your own and the small pots require not a lot of space to store. I sure could get cheaper acrylics, but I also find it nice to have such a small shop in my medium sized town, so I support the local business.

As for the question about primer,... yes, I use the GW Imperial Primer (also water based), but not on all figures. I used it however on the sticky Daxiatitan, but not on the nonsticky Malawisaurus. I do not blame the primer though, as I have also figures with primer that are non sticky. As I said, I got no explanation, just the observation (and I can rule out enamel, as I just use this one kind of paint for all my figures).

[Sim]

Something that might be worth trying is leaving the affected figures in a sink full of warm water for a long time, perhaps with the water being soapy.  This might allow dust to leave the figures.  If it doesn't, the dust might go if you scrub it right after taking a figure out of the water.  I don't know if what I've suggested here could lead to the paint being damaged though, so it might be best to only try it as a last resort.

You mentioned you tried scrubbing gently with a toothbrush and soap.  Have you tried doing this while having the part of the figure you're working on under warm running water?

[terrorchicken]

its weird, I got 2 figures from Jeotar a couple years ago, both arrived to me at the same time, one came okay and the other came sticky. I keep the sticky one wrapped in a box so it doesn't get dusty but I can keep the other one outside and just wash it off gently under light stream running water when it gets dusty and its fine. I dont know why sealants act so differently.

[tyrantqueen]

You mentioned you tried scrubbing gently with a toothbrush and soap.  Have you tried doing this while having the part of the figure you're working on under warm running water?

Yes, I have tried that.

I may try your suggestion of soaking them in soapy water.

[Jeff008]

Have you tried the swiffer duster and canned air? It may work for dust not that sticky.
Swiffer Duster: A hand-sized Swiffer duster has multiple folds and can get into crevices and curves that a regular cloth or duster can't. Many collectors use them to clean up their figurines and swipe the dust free of their displays. Additionally, Swiffer dusters don't just brush dust aside, they absorb it, meaning you're getting rid of that dust on your collection for good.
Canned Air: Also known as a "gas duster," canned air is the best way to get dust out of tight, adjoining spaces—places that your Swiffer duster won't reach. Simply spray a bit of canned air into the crevice to blast the dust free and keep it from caking up where you don't want it. Note that canned air doesn't get rid of dust, but simply loosens it and "blasts" it away from where it isn't wanted. Use a Swiffer duster to clean up the rest.

[stargatedalek]

That a Papo is the worst offender tells me this could be related to the general sticky/sweaty plastic issue, Papo are particularly notorious for it. It might be managing to eat through the paint on top.

[tyrantqueen]

I used to hang out a lot in the jewellery and bead making community, and it was common to see complaints of cheap craft varnishes becoming sticky over time. I also heard that humidity was a factor.

Here is a photo of the back of the Pachyrhinosaurus. It was rinsed under the tap only a few moments earlier. If you full view the photo you can see the details better.

Have you tried the swiffer duster and canned air? It may work for dust not that sticky.
Swiffer Duster: A hand-sized Swiffer duster has multiple folds and can get into crevices and curves that a regular cloth or duster can't. Many collectors use them to clean up their figurines and swipe the dust free of their displays. Additionally, Swiffer dusters don't just brush dust aside, they absorb it, meaning you're getting rid of that dust on your collection for good.
Canned Air: Also known as a "gas duster," canned air is the best way to get dust out of tight, adjoining spaces—places that your Swiffer duster won't reach. Simply spray a bit of canned air into the crevice to blast the dust free and keep it from caking up where you don't want it. Note that canned air doesn't get rid of dust, but simply loosens it and "blasts" it away from where it isn't wanted. Use a Swiffer duster to clean up the rest.

I have not. As for the Swiffer duster, I am not located in North America so that product isn't very accessible to me. Maybe I can find a local equivalent. Thanks for the tip!

[sauroid]

good luck fixing your problematic repaints TQ.


btw, are the Copper repaints the only ones having this issue?

[tyrantqueen]

good luck fixing your problematic repaints TQ.


btw, are the Copper repaints the only ones having this issue?

Thanks, and yes, it's only the copper ones....

[Shonisaurus]

I honestly am not crafty when it comes to repainting a dinosaur. In my case I contract the services of specialists of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Madrid (they repaired to me of exact form a dilophosaurus of resin of favorite that had fallen of the shelves) and also you repaint dinosaurs of PVC.

They are restorers of the Museum but their services are very expensive. It costs more to repaint or repair the dinosaur than the initial figure itself.

I do not know if those services also lend them to other museums in the world.

In my case it is advisable although it costs as they leave it to you as you want and without deterioration (they are restorers of pieces of Museum and specialists in the matter) in my case What better than them to do this work?

[Bokisaurus]

I had one issue similar to this with one of my repainted figure. I used Acrylic paint.
Was your figures displayed in the open, close to where you cook food? Sometimes when cooking oil ( or even car fumes, I live in the city and in the summer open window allow fumes to come in) particles accumulate, it build a film that overtime collects dust and becomes sticky.
I was able to clean it with a soft cloth ( so not to rub the paint) and warm soapy water, gently dabbing the areas. Good luck, hope you can find a solution.
You can also, if there is one close to you, go to a art supply store and ask if they have a cleanser just for that.

[tyrantqueen]

Was your figures displayed in the open, close to where you cook food?

No, they're stored upstairs in my bedroom.