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(Also published in Amazing Figure Modeler).
IS YOUR CRYPT TOO CLEAN? DUNGEON NOT DINGY ENOUGH?
HERE'S A TRICK TO ADD THAT AGED, UNKEMPT LOOK TO YOUR DIORAMA OR BASE. TO START YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES:
A GOOD ,CLEAN AIRBRUSH. I USE A BADGER OR A PAASCHE. I DON'T RECOMMEND USING A PLASTIC AIRBRUSH, AS I DON'T KNOW HOW THE LACQUER WILL AFFECT IT. YOU SHOULD USE A MASK/RESPIRATOR TO AVOID BREATHING VAPORS. MOST IMPORTANTLY YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE CLEAR AUTOMOTIVE LACQUER. THIS CAN BE PURCHASED AT AN AUTO BODY SUPPLY SHOP FOR AROUND $30.00 A QUART. THIS IS ENOUGH TO LAST A LIFETIME IF PROPERLY STORED.
YOU WILL ALSO NEED LACQUER THINNER TO CLEAN YOUR AIRBRUSH. COBWEBBING IS THE FINAL STEP SO BE SURE THAT ALL PAINTWORK IS COMPLETED AND ALL ACCESSORIES ARE ADDED PRIOR TO SPRAYING WEBS.
SET UP YOUR AREA TO SPRAY USING PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT FROM OVERSPRAY AND BE SURE IT IS WELL VENTILATED! USING THE LARGEST TIP/NEEDLE COMBINATION FOR YOUR AIRBRUSH, POUR SOME CLEAR LACQUER INTO YOUR PAINT JAR. DO NOT REDUCE THE PAINT!! TEST SPRAY ON A PIECE OF SCRAP OR CARDBOARD. ADJUST THE AIR PRESSURE SO THAT THE CLEAR COMES OUT OF THE AIRBRUSH IN STRINGS OR STRANDS. TOO MUCH PRESSURE WILL RESULT IN A COCOON AFFECT. AROUND 30 TO 35 POUNDS OF PRESSURE SHOULD DO THE JOB.
WHEN YOU HAVE THE AIR PRESSURE AND SPRAY PATTERN ADJUSTED, SPRAY IN SHORT BURSTS, LETTING THE "WEB" STICK TO ONE OBJECT AND LAND ON ANOTHER. KIND OF LIKE DRAPING ACROSS OBJECTS AS COBWEBS WOULD. IT'S UP TO YOU HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE WEBBING YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR SCENE.
IF YOUR WEBS DON'T COME OUT TO YOUR SATISFACTION, LET THEM DRY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND BRUSH THEM AWAY WITH A PAINT BRUSH(DRY), OR BLOW THEM OFF WITH AIR. THE WEBS CAN ALWAYS BE REDONE IF THEY BECOME DAMAGED OR YOU WISH TO CHANGE THEM. THE WEBS WILL LAST FOR YEARS IF UNTOUCHED AND I'VE FOUND THAT WITH AGE THEY LOOK MORE REALISTIC BECAUSE OF NATURAL DUST THAT COLLECTS ON THEM.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SPRAY THINNER THROUGH YOUR AIRBRUSH WHEN YOU ARE DONE TO PREVENT CLOGGING. ANY CLEAR LEFT IN YOUR PAINT BOTTLE CAN BE PUT BACK IN THE CAN FOR LATER USE. JUST KEEP THE CAN SEALED TIGHT AND IN A COOL DRY PLACE.
HAVE FUN AND ENJOY! :)