I just got back into modeling after several years. My question is can the hairspray weathering technique work with enamels? What about the salt weathering technique? Can enamels be used also? If so some tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Alan

Alan

I have done the hair spray method, but only have used acrylics. I am not sure how the hair spray would react to an enamel. As for the salt method, I have never tried it myself, but have read about people using enamels. One advantage of enamels with salt, is it won't break down the salt like water.

As for using the hairspray method, I used two coats of hairspray, allowing about an half hour between coats and before painting. I applied three different coats of paint one after the other. Then used a toothbrush and sanding stick to acheive the desired effect.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. Time to experiment!

Yes when using the salt method, an acrylic paint will break down the salt slightly and when dry, you will see a little ring of dissolved salt around the grain of salt. Some say it adds to the effect....but it didn't really turn out that way when I did it. With enamel, the salt doesn't do that.

With the hairspray method....you could use enamel on your basecoat....the one that the hairspray goes on, but not the top coat over the hairspray, it would have to be acrylic as you use water to permeate the top layer of paint to dissolve the hairspray underneath, leaving your base color showing though.

also try using baking soda in the same way u would with the salt method it works very well with enamels