Dealing with matte medium white residue

[Dave V]

I've done most of my work with diluted Elmer's without that issue.  I have had that issue when, like DKS, I've leveled-up and used Liquitex matte medium.

[pdx1955]

Never had that issue with any brand of matte medium. I'm using Scenic Express's version and a couple other artist-level brands (Hunt, Golden). I wonder if its a water issue? Water here is all soft. I also pre-wet everything with rubbing alcohol , so everything just wicks in quickly and doesn't sit on top that long.

[Cajonpassfan]

Never had that issue with any brand of matte medium. I'm using Scenic Express's version and a couple other artist-level brands (Hunt, Golden). I wonder if its a water issue? Water here is all soft. I also pre-wet everything with rubbing alcohol , so everything just wicks in quickly and doesn't sit on top that long.

Same here, the only problem I have with MM is the price. Maybe it's the water or climate? Mine dries nice and flat with no residue... another of the mysteries of model railroading
Otto K.

[DKS]

Same here, the only problem I have with MM is the price. Maybe it's the water or climate? Mine dries nice and flat with no residue... another of the mysteries of model railroading
Otto K.

I didn't always have the problem, but once it started happening, I jumped ship--not worth the risk. I have no idea why it occurred, and frankly I wasn't willing to try and find out. White glue always worked perfectly, and it was way cheaper. Win-win.

[robert3985]

I didn't always have the problem, but once it started happening, I jumped ship--not worth the risk. I have no idea why it occurred, and frankly I wasn't willing to try and find out. White glue always worked perfectly, and it was way cheaper. Win-win.

I had a major matte medium white stuff problem a couple of months ago working on Nate's ( @Nato ) Kelly Canyon scene.  Brand new, and expensive Liquitex too.  Fixed it with dark washes and dry brushing the rock carvings and talus, and then adding new rocks/dirt where the dark washing had settled.  Used Elmer's White Glue, and it worked great.

I don't always have the problem either with matte medium, but I'm also jumping ship and not worrying about the risk any longer.  It's Elmer's from now on for me.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[pdx1955]

Interestingly enough, I just had this issue while ballasting. The only difference was that I was trying to use the last amount in my bottle instead of making a new batch. The solution tends to settle out over time and even re-shaking doesn't fix it. In my case, it appears that an over-concentration /improper dilution of matte medium causes the spots - in a sense it precipitates out. At normal dilutions you won't see any difference. So, I had to add some more materials to cover it up and  used a fresh batch of solution and the problem went away. Mix ratios are apparently very important to be exact with this stuff.

[DeltaBravo]

Ok, so I know I am late to this thread,but I have used MicroMark's Ballast cement without any issues. I have used it with Woodland Scenics ballast and highball.

[Santa Fe Guy]

White glue for me every time. Diluted with water ( our Melbourne water is very pure and soft) and then the alcohol, no soap for this lad anymore.
Rod.

[DKS]

Ok, so I know I am late to this thread,but I have used MicroMark's Ballast cement without any issues. I have used it with Woodland Scenics ballast and highball.

But white glue is so much cheaper...

[DeltaBravo]

But white glue is so much cheaper...

True DKS, I was just mentioning an alternative that no one else had seemed to suggest.

[Jesse6669]

You might try some acrylic airbrush thinner (I have a 200ml bottle of Vallejo stuff I use) or airbrush cleaner, with the idea that it would cut/dilute/dissolve the matte medium.  Then you can add more water to dilute further.   It's not too expensive ($12 for 200ml)


Speaking of airbrush thinner (bit of topic drift)-- when I get my models from Shapeways, that's the first thing I clean them with.  I'm not a user of Bestine.  The thinner cuts any acrylic goop left on the models, and I then wash gently with warm water and a bit of dishsoap.  A good rinse and they're ready for primer. 

[peteski]

Speaking of airbrush thinner (bit of topic drift)-- when I get my models from Shapeways, that's the first thing I clean them with.  I'm not a user of Bestine.  The thinner cuts any acrylic goop left on the models, and I then wash gently with warm water and a bit of dishsoap.  A good rinse and they're ready for primer.

Just to get things straight, the "goop" is not acrylic - it is a wax residue leftover from the printing process which did not get fully removed by Shapeways. While what the residue is doesn't really matter (as long as it gets dissolved), it is still good to understand what's what.  Misinformation, or incorrect information can often cause problems.  Speaking of which, you are talking about the milky-transparent Sapeways' FUD and/or FXD resins, correct?

Does the thinner you use list its ingredients, or have you found the MSDS for it?  It would be interesting to figure out what in it dissolves the wax residue.

[Jesse6669]

you are talking about the milky-transparent Sapeways' FUD and/or FXD resins, correct?

Yes, that crud/goop.

Does the thinner you use list its ingredients, or have you found the MSDS for it?  It would be interesting to figure out what in it dissolves the wax residue.

http://cdn.acrylicosvallejo.com/36f64dc0df6175d4f0606b636acc6fea/Safety-data-sheet-of-%27AIRBRUSH-THINNER%27.pdf
If I'm reading it correctly, the active ingredient is  "2-butoxyethanol" .. some kindof alcohol I'm assuming.  (Also since it's wax.. wouldn't hydrogen peroxide cut it?)

[peteski]

Yes, that crud/goop.http://cdn.acrylicosvallejo.com/36f64dc0df6175d4f0606b636acc6fea/Safety-data-sheet-of-%27AIRBRUSH-THINNER%27.pdf
If I'm reading it correctly, the active ingredient is  "2-butoxyethanol" .. some kindof alcohol I'm assuming.  (Also since it's wax.. wouldn't hydrogen peroxide cut it?)

That sounds reasonable.
How about the cost of that thinner compare to let's say a quart or gallon size can of Bestine or VM&P Naphtha?

[Jesse6669]

Vallejo airbrush thinner-- 200ml for $13.25 .. given the size of my models the cost isn't a huge factor but I can see it being so in N or larger.  I have it around anyway for thinning/cleaning up acrylics, so there's a multi-purpose use for the stuff.