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Post by belatucadras on Nov 3, 2015 19:30:09 GMT
Hello, I am hoping someone here knows what kind of coating I can add to a minature painted with acrylic paint that will ensure it's long term protection while submerged in either water or baby oil.
My youngest collects dragons and I would like to make a snowglobe for her for Christmas.
The idea is to paint a Reaper Bones dragon mini and create a dragon horde diorama encased in a snowglobe. The "snow" would actually be the treasure from the horde.
I am concerned that straight acrylic might start to deteriorate over time. I read up on some techniques for coating two dimensional paintings in epoxy and am considering painting layers of epoxy on the completed diorama to preserve it.
What does the community think? Thank you for your input.
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Post by nvdberg on Nov 3, 2015 20:06:56 GMT
Epoxy worked fine to protect a plaster birdbath I made as a child for nearly two decades against the weather.
Though it does little to defy gravity...
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Post by DnDPaladin on Nov 3, 2015 20:46:08 GMT
i'd use nothing in base of water.
but i think any real sealant should work fine. never done such things though...
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Post by sgtslag on Nov 3, 2015 22:46:31 GMT
I'd recommend Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain, a.k.a., The Dip. This will give you a urethane coating, which is quite durable. If you use their Tudor (black), or Royal Walnut (dark brown) colors, you gain the benefit of shading your painting, while you protect it. Be sure to coat the mini's entirely, to gain complete coverage, and complete protection. If you just want a clear-coat for protection, then I would suggest applying Pledge Floorcare, full-strength. It is designed to cover floors, and be walked upon by rubber-soled shoes! It is quite tough. Just brush it on, let it dry (15 minutes is about all it takes), and clean up your brush with soap and water. This is also the main ingredient in Magic Wash: just add the acrylic paint color desired, and you have a water-based, custom form of The Dip... Cheers!
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Post by ogrestamp on Nov 4, 2015 7:56:21 GMT
Cool idea, btw.
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Post by curufin on Nov 4, 2015 12:59:22 GMT
I think using epoxy will offer the best permanent protection. I would probably also recommend using baby oil instead of water. You would want to add a tablespoon of bleach to the water to keep it from going funky after a while and the bleach will eventually eat though most coatings.
Best of luck. It sounds like an awesome idea.
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Post by belatucadras on Nov 4, 2015 14:15:46 GMT
Thank you for the feedback. sgtslagI use Magic Wash regularly and have some unadulterated Pledge. I was considering this as an option, but I had the same reservations as curufin.
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Post by sgtslag on Nov 4, 2015 14:29:12 GMT
I do not know if the urethane will withstand the baby oil, unfortunately. The urethane is likely more resistant than the Pledge, however. You could also try the Plasti-Dip stuff, used for coating the handles of tools (pliers, wrenches, etc.). This might also be able to withstand baby oil. It is available as both a liquid in a can, and in an aerosol form -- check the usual suspects: hardware stores, Wal-Mart, etc. Cheers!
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sotf
Advice Guru
Posts: 1,084
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Post by sotf on Nov 4, 2015 14:30:41 GMT
You might also want to look at some of the various varnish options, particularly the ones for sealing things that are for the yard.
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