Possible to save/rescue GW paints?

I use windex to thin my paint before airbrushing and it doesn't harm the paints ability to do what it does, so that could be worth a shot.

Couldn't answer the other question, the only valejo I have is a gloss varnish. They're both high quality paints however, so I think the differences between the two would be similar to arguing if the snes or sega genesis were better. Both paints have dropper bottles, and that is what is important. When you want to store them for years, turn them upside down so the air bubble forms at the bottom of the pot. Reaper paints also have an agitator inside them to make shaking easier. I think valejo, as a company, started for world war paints so it has less off the wall paint colors as reaper. So if you don't want hot florescent pink for your skinks, either company would work fine.

 

If they are fairly dry, use water to to get them working again. Sometimes even if they are completely dry it is still possible to add water and use them. If you can, distilled water is better, but filtered tap water works ok as well.

 

you should buy some acrylic paint medium in a craft/art store. that works MUCH better than water, and it is fairly cheap (i payed about 10 € for 250 ml).

here is a great guide
http://nesbetminiatures.blogspot.com/2010/01/paint-medium-101-or-how-to-resurrect.html

 

I will add my 2 cents here, as most of my paint pots are at least 10 years old and still in use. Add a mixture of 60% distilled water and 40% acrylic extender (I got my extender at a craft store, AC Moore). If the paint is completely dried up, you may need to let this soak for up to a week to get the paint to react with the 60/40 mix. I haven't tried it, but if all else fails I don't suppose you have much to lose by placing the paint pot with the 60/40 mix in the microwave for about 15 seconds just to get it mixing.

Once the paint has softened enough to agitate, stir it up, and eventually you will want to use a motorized agitator to make the paint usable. I have this little cordless mixer: http://www.micromark.com/Cordless-Mixer-for-Model-Paints,7616.html - and it's truly invaluable. The best 10 bucks I ever spent on my painting!

 

I've got the badger version of the same product, it's the coolest thing I ever bought.

As an arts and crafts rule of thumb though, I would advice against microwaving anything ^_^ Toxic fumes come off of just about anything at the right temperature.

 

I don't know how many ML, because I don't know how much paint is in your dried up bottle. Fill about a quarter of the available space in the paint pot for starters and see if the dried paint will react with the thinner. If it doesn't you might be out of luck. That's why I suggested heating it. If the microwave is out, you could try submerging the paint pot in boiling water (with the lid closed, of course). I have no idea if this will work...

 

remember that its easy to add more water/medium. it is hard to take it away. best ad it a little bit at a time till you are happy

 

Yeah, anything you learn that could be of use should be shared, thanks!

 

I'd be interested as well. One of these days I'm gonna do a post on different white glue qualities for terrain.