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.

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What type of brush should I use?

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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. 

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I accidentally scratched the surface...

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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.

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Can I mix colours to create custom shades?

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Yes, you can mix Chip & Nick colours.