I'm currently building some 1/35 figures to go along with some dioramas. This is my first time. I use Vallejo, because everyone recommends it. However, I encountered some problems. Not only is it very easy to peel off by accident, but the paint started to 'clot' on the surface after some time. Like, lumps of paint began to appear. What did I do wrong?

G'day Frederick

The first issue is one of two things:

1. You have not cleaned the surface before applying paint and there's still some mould release agent present or, more likely
2. You haven't given the figures a primer coat first. I always prime my figures with Tamiya white primer before applying paint.

As for the second issue, I would strongly recommend using some Vallejo Thinner Medium with the paint.

Have fun - they are good paints.

Regards

Rob

I 2nd what Rob said. I find that Vallejo will stick to some resin/plastic with out primer and then there are some resin/plastic that Vallejo will NOT stick too.

The lumping and clotting could be the result of the first issue.

Clean and prime parts before painting.

Yes, what Rob said, Vallejo are good paints!!!!!!!

It is not clear if you use Vallejo Air or Model Color.
Anyway there are a few rules of thumb:
1. the paint should be thoroughly stirred. For this, rub the paint bottle between your two palms for a few minutes, this way the pigments mix well and also the paint will be warmer. The usual shaking is not sufficient here.
2. use low pressure, about 0,9-1,1 bar or even lower
3. use Airbrush Thinner (New Formula)
4. to make the surface more resilient (for masking for example) use a hairdryer.
5. primer is not always essential, but if you do not use it make sure your surface is free of oils - clean with alcohol first.
6. even though the surface feels hard and dry wait overnight before going over it.

Gabor, thanks for the tip about rubbing the bottle in your hands.
Thank you !

Yes, many do, the reason why anybody would like to use such temperamental paints with so many difficultyies escapes me completely.




Well, in my book you simply use the wrong paint. Vallejo can be notoriously difficult to use.


this post may give some insight as well:

I brush paint Vallejo Model Color on bare plastic with no problem. Also mixes very well with Citadel acrylics. Always prime resin or metal figures first, though.

No problems using Vallejo when I paint figures. I also don't prime unless there is some PE involved.

Just to clarify I use Model color and brush.

I exclusively use Model Color for figure painting. I prime everything. I've never needed to alter it. I'll try to post a photo of a figure I'm working on, later.

Don't thin it out too much!

I'm not a big Vallejo fan ,I prefere Lifecolors with the brush and now both with AB and the hairystick the Mission Models that now you can also buy from Hobbyeasy, with the figurines I use acrylics only for the base color and then I work with Oils, however first I give a hand of Primer, Tamiya gray or Badger Stynylrez (Ammo oneshot primer or UMP primer are the badger rebottled) then I give the color in 2-4 thinn Coat,is better than 1 heavy coat, with the brush i thinn the paint but just a little