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Chip & Nick - Auto Chipping  Paint:  Chipping to  the  people!

Creating realistic chipping isn't always easy, and many of us modellers struggle while creating realistic chips and scratches. With VMS reversed chipping technique you don't need special painting skills - random super-realistic chips and scratches appear automatically and everyone is guaranteed to achieve stunning results!

VMS Chip & Nick Paint

CHIPPING SAMPLE 1

VMS Chip & Nick Scale model chipping paint

CHIPPING SAMPLE 3

Scal model chipping

CHIPPING SAMPLE 2

VMS Chip & Nick Scale model chipping paint

CHIPPING SAMPLE 4

VMS Chip & Nick Scale model chipping paint
VMS Chip & Nick Scale model chipping paint

CHIPPING SAMPLE 5

CHIPPING SAMPLE 5 ENLARGED

chipping panzer gray tank
chipping panzer grey tank

CHIPPING SAMPLE 8

tank winter camouflage

CHIPPING SAMPLE 10 WINTER CAMO

model winter camouflage

CHIPPING SAMPLE 12 WINTER CAMO

CHIPPING SAMPLE 9

tank winter camo

CHIPPING SAMPLE 11 WINTER CAMO

model winter camo

CHIPPING SAMPLE 13 WINTER CAMO

VMS Chip & Nick is a revolutionary product that is not just reversible (washable). This intelligent paint automatically creates micro chips that are otherwise very hard to create using classic techniques!

Super fine detail and zero hassle!

This paint is something else. It allows you to create chips so fine you won't believe it and without precision brush or additional products necessary. Chip & Nick paint is very forgiving and allows you to correct even several days back! This intelligent paint and stays or peels off of the model only when you want it to!

CHIP & NICK Smart Chipping Paint PRODUCT SUMMARY

Chip & Nick is one of kind intelligent paint created to help you create super realistic chipping effects on your model with minimum skill. Paint works via VMS “reversed chipping” technique. One simply needs to apply the paint over the model and then remove portions of it with so that only chipping effects remain. Chip & Nick doesn't add thickness to your weathering as hair spray and similar fluids do, paint optically melts with the base for an outstanding result. Paint is reversible - there is no danger of bad chipping as you can always remove excessive paint. Chip & Nick allows you to create super fine chips that were so far reserved to fine brush technique in fraction of the time needed and completely hassle free. Paint allows for multicolour chipping effects whereas hair spray techniques and “washable” paints allow for just one colour due to their lack of resistance to water. IMPORTANT: The product is susceptible to low temperatures and mustn't be frozen! Store and handle in room temperature. 

 

Model must be varnished with VMS Varnish HD or equivalent prior use! Please refer to product FAQ for details! 

Recommended techniques: brush

Available volumes: paint 20 ml, aid 20 ml

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See Chip & Nick in action!
See Chip & Nick in action!
See Chip & Nick in action!
Chip & Nick vs "washable" paint
Product FAQ

How do I prepare my model for Chip & Nick smart chipping paint?

 

You need to varnish your model before using the paint. Chip & Nick was extensively tested with VMS Varnish HD line and we recommend it for guaranteed results. We advise using matt or satin variants. Make sure you varnish your model correctly - you need a smooth and even surface without overspray (overspray is coarse surface caused by bad technique or poor/dirty equipment). If your varnish layer is correctly applied (smooth, well levelled) you will achieve results as seen in our videos. Make sure that varnish covers all nooks and crannies well! Your varnish layer needs to cure for 3-5 days before you can start the chipping paint process.

What does it mean that varnish is well cured?

 

Dry to touch doesn't mean the varnish attained it’s full durability - singular solvent particles will be dissipating from the layer for several days to come and the resin will harden gradually. It’s true for any paint or varnish. Curing can take several weeks even for acrylics, but 3-5 days are usually sufficient for weathering purposes.

VMS CHIP & NICK NO VARNISH USED

VMS CHIP & NICK VARNISH USED

How do I use the Chip & Nick paint?

  • Varnish your model with VMS Varnish HD or equivalent, ensure it levels well,

  • Wait 3-5 days for the varnish to properly cure,

  • Shake the paint well,

  • Select the area that is supposed to receive the chipping effect and simply paint it with Chip & Nick using flat brush. Make sure the layer is thin and even.

  • Wait 10-15 minutes for the paint to become dry to touch (time figures for model coated with VMS Varnish HD),

  • Start gently scraping the paint with a damp brush, use minimum water and physical force for finer chips,

  • Remove loose paint with bigger flat brush or rinse with water,

  • Leave to dry, you can use hair dryer at low setting,

  • Do more scraping or corrections with Chipping Aid if necessary

  • Optional - you can thermally increase durability of the paint once you are sure that the chipping is fine. To do so subject the area to heat (hair dryer up close - high setting 30 sec. to 1 minute). Thermal treatment is not necessary but will give the paint extra resistance if you intend to create more Chip & Nick effects for instance add more colours.

APPLY PAINT ON VARNISHED MODEL

WAIT 10-15 MINUTES

REMOVE WITH WATER

EFFECT IS READY!

Can I use varnishes from other brands?

 

We've tested the paint extensively with VMS Varnish HD and if you use it the success is 100% guaranteed. VMS Varnish HD is much more forgiving than usual coatings - it's due to its low surface contamination factor. We've also tested with varnishes from leading brands and results were satisfying although less predictable you may need to alter (shorten) drying times for instance. Therefore in case you aren't using VMS Varnish HD we advise you to do a test on a styrene sheet - simply paint it with the same paint and varnish you intend to use on the model to make sure things will work fine. Shorten the drying time to 5 minutes and see if paint works as intended. You will also familiarise yourself with the Chip & Nick paint and achieve better results with actual model. In case your varnish fails to work with Chip & Nick you can switch to VMS Varnish HD which is top of the line finishing product and will serve you for many other projects. 

 

How is this product better than classic methods?

 

  • Chip & Nick doesn't add thickness to your weathering as hair spray and similar fluids do, VMS paint optically melts with the base for an outstanding result,

  • Chip & Nick is reversible - there is no danger of bad chipping as you can always remove excessive paint,

  • Chip & Nick allows you to create super fine chips that were so far reserved to fine brush technique in fraction of the time needed and completely hassle free,

  • Chip & Nick allows for multicolour chipping effects whereas hair spray techniques and “washable” paints allow for just one colour due to their lack of resistance to water. Chip & Nick can be further thermally treated to increase its water resistance.

VMS CHIP & NICK VS CLASSIC APPROACH

I want the paint to flake more easily!

 

Work on satin on gloss varnish - paint will be very easily to remove but chipping not that fine - bigger flakes. If you are already working on matt varnish: shorten the initial drying time to 7 minutes - paint will be easier to remove. Use Chipping Aid instead of water.

 

I want the chipping effect to be finer - small nicks instead of bigger flakes.

 

Work on matt varnish and paint thin layers. If you are already working on satin or gloss varnish: paint thin layers, use less water while scraping and lengthen the drying time to 20-30 minutes, you may also use hair dryer - apply heat for 10-20 seconds this will make the paint harder to remove and enable you to produce finer chipping. 

 

For how long does the paint remain reversible?

 

The paint will remain reversible for several days. Use Chipping Aid to remove older paint easily.

What type of brush should I use?

We strongly recommend using a soft red sable brush. Such brush ensures you won't accidentally scratch the surface. Flat or "cat's tongue" bristle shapes work best. 

 

I was able to create cool chipping but paint lodged itself in some areas like welding seams and it’s hard to remove it!

 

Please use a scrubber brush and Chipping Aid. Scrubber brush can be made out of a flat brush (can be an old used one). Simply cut off ⅔ of the bristle and a scrubber brush is ready. Apply Chipping Aid over the problematic area and allow it to work for 0.5-1 minute and then start scrubbing the paint away. Scrubber brush should be made out of a red sable brush which is soft and won't scuff the surface. 

I accidentally scratched the surface...

This can happen when you use stiff nylon brushes or apply to much pressure while removing the paint. Never force it! Let the water or chipping paint activate the paint and remove it gently. When you accidentally scuff model's surface simply complete your chipping work and then apply an extra coat of varnish, scratches will be nullified. 

 

The paint won’t come off!

 

Did you varnish your model? Please remember that Chip & Nick smart chipping paint works only on properly varnished smooth surfaces. The finish can be gloss, satin or matt but the varnish layer must be even - well levelled. Use Chipping Aid if there are problems removing the paint from varnished surfaces. Paint must be well shaken before painting, make sure you've shaken your bottle well for at least 1 minute!

 

I do a lot of shading on my models and the surface is coarse due to repeated airbrushing, what to do to be able to use Chip & Nick?

 

Please apply extra varnish layer so that the coarse surface is evened up or alter your technique so that the overspray lessens. Properly executed paint and varnish jobs are smooth. If you have trouble trouble achieving a smooth surface please consider the following:

 

  • adjusting the ambient temperature to around 20 degrees celsius, when it’s too hot the sprayed paint droplets often land on the model half dried which hinders levelling,

  • adjust pressure - lower pressure means longer drying times and better levelling,

  • thin your paint properly, introduce more thinner,

  • apply the paint generously so that a proper layer is created, many modellers tend to spray thin layers that dry instantly and don’t level at all,

  • deep-clean or upgrade your tools/compressor.

 

How many models will I be able to detail with one bottle of Chip & Nick paint?

 

Bottles hold approximately 30 ml of paint, to detail one medium sized 1:35 vehicle you will need about 1-3 ml. One bottle is therefore sufficient to detail 30 - 10 vehicles depending on number of passes you will do with a particular colour and the vehicle size itself.

 

How much Chipping Aid do I need for my work?

 

One bottle will go a long way as you only need several drops of fluid for each colour pass. Therefore it’s best to purchase just one set of aid and paint (2 bottles bundle) and acquire other colours separately.

 

I’m a fine brush technique pro, can I use Chip & Nick as regular paint to take advantage of its reversibility?

 

Absolutely you can, using this new paint type will only improve your results and make the process hassle free as you will be able to remove excessive chips.

 

Can I use Chip & Nick with sponge technique?

 

Yes you can, it will work as usual paint but better - as it is reversible it will make the process much more enjoyable as you can erase whatever you don’t like!

 

I’ve heard that using hair dryer is not good for modelling, care to explain?

 

Too much heat is bad for paint, some heat is great for it as it helps you work faster. Using hair dryer on low setting at an appropriate distance will not harm your paint coats or alter them in any way - it will only shorten drying time. Hair dryer is a great tool to have when you need to get rid of water, solvents or speed up the drying process. Simply put just be careful not to don’t overheat your model, moderation is the key.

 

My base paint changes colour (lightens) when I apply water over it!

 

Don’t worry it’s only temporary - the colour will revert to the original shade once water evaporates, usually in 20-30 minutes.

Can I mix colours to create custom shades?

Yes, you can mix Chip & Nick colours. 

CHIPPING SAMPLE 7

CHIPPING SAMPLE 6

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