It seems like I read somewhere that after you’ve stained rock castings (light weight hydrocal) that you should ‘seal’ the color. How do you do that and what do you use, or is it necessary?
JaRRell
Jarrell,
Test the casting by first wetting it. If the casting is still pourous many sealers can darken the overall coloring. If the castings were first sealed and or covered with a dark wash, any other painting and drybrushig for lighter shades and highlights should be somewhat fixed and not need any additional protection. A coating of dullcoat or other sealer could affect the the various applications of all your hard work for the realistic look you acheived.
The only place I could see the use for sealing any castings would be in a club envioronment where the castings may be handled often.
I have never seen the need to seal in the colors of my rock castings. Like Art Hill, I too use acrylics to stain the hydrocal castings once they are set/dry.
I have never done anything except paint them and place them, or place them and then paint them…whichever seems right to do. I have not felt the need to seal them. If you get some water damage someplace, the rock castings are going to be the least of your worries, I fear.
I think, JaRRel, that sealing is best done to weathering, and only then on things that we want to last, such as building kits, turntables, locomotives, and things that tend to get our mitts all over them most often.
The only place I know where you need to seal is with the Woodland Scenics colors. They are pure color with no fixitive and will bleach out to tan, even in a basement. That is why I do not use them any more. It is one of the few WS products that I don’t use.
Good! No sealing… that eliminates a step!
Thanks,
JaRRell