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Post by phippsy on Jan 4, 2017 9:10:17 GMT
I tend to have basically flocked bases by applying a coat of water / PVA glue mix, and then sprinkling on the flock. This normally fixed well. However I am finding that with more frequent usage the finished figure bases start to look tatty as the flock gets rubbed off, particularly around the edges. Has anyone any advice on how best to 'fix' the surface so to flock remains. I have tried applying a watered down PVA coat but this tends to pull some of the original flock off. Any other methods recommended for textured base surface finishes?
Thanks Phippsy.
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Post by timurilank on Jan 4, 2017 10:17:41 GMT
I tend to have basically flocked bases by applying a coat of water / PVA glue mix, and then sprinkling on the flock. This normally fixed well. However I am finding that with more frequent usage the finished figure bases start to look tatty as the flock gets rubbed off, particularly around the edges. Has anyone any advice on how best to 'fix' the surface so to flock remains. I have tried applying a watered down PVA coat but this tends to pull some of the original flock off. Any other methods recommended for textured base surface finishes? Thanks Phippsy. Much depends on the bases you use and how they are treated before applying the water-PVA mix.
Whether you use MDF or basswood I would seal the surface or even painting this would help. I base my figures to triplex basswood (1.5mm) then undercoat every element with a primer.
It is possible that the surface is too smooth and flocking will only remain in place for a time.
I generally apply sand over the glue. Thoroughly dried, I can stain the sand and dry brush. The sand gives a good surface for any flocking (ground foam or electrostatic grass) to stick to.
Generally, I leave about 2/3rds of the ground exposed so flock rarely reaches the edges. This leaves space for grass tufts if I want add them later.
When sealing the flock with a thinned coat of PVA avoid using a brush as this could loosen your grass. An eye dropper is best or any squeeze type container which has a nozzle.
I found The Terrain Tutor at YouTube very helpful.
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Post by phippsy on Jan 4, 2017 12:37:36 GMT
Much appreciated and some good tips there to implement in the next run for East Franks this week....peter
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Post by timurilank on Jan 4, 2017 14:24:05 GMT
Much appreciated and some good tips there to implement in the next run for East Franks this week....peter
I remembered posting photos of my barbarian horde at the blog. These have some close ups of the base flocking.
dbagora.blogspot.nl/2016/12/barbarian-gallery.html
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Post by phippsy on Jan 4, 2017 18:10:27 GMT
Ok just had a look. Good effect and robust.
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battledamage
Beneficiarii
is currently hitting his Papal Italian 3Kn(Gen) with a hammer.
Posts: 77
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Post by battledamage on Jan 4, 2017 21:09:40 GMT
I use Vallejo grey course pumice (listed here: www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/decorative-arts/auxiliary-products/2) with my chosen ground colour mixed in. I then flock over the top of it using much the same method you described in your original post, let it dry thouroughly and give it a wash with watered down PVA. The grey course pumice mix remains flexible when it dries, so it doesn't chip off. You can effectively build it up into minor hillocks and bumps, and because its quite thick you can easily disguise the 'plug' under the figures' feet. It seems to hold flock better, perhaps due to the larger surface area due to the rougher finish. Ands if the flock does come off, you are left with your ground-colour anyway. Here's an example of soem camp-followers from my never-updated blog: 2.bp.blogspot.com/-oP8eGJ9Ewg0/VHRUAeL9uzI/AAAAAAAAADE/BU6lypE6Q7E/s1600/WP_20141125_016.jpgThere are various similar products out there (liquitex does somee, for example) but I prefer the vallejo one for the size of the particles.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 7, 2017 8:19:14 GMT
Believe it or not I paint the base and whilst still wet dip it in flock and shake off the excess. Works well. In fact I have an army that has lasted 6 ybefore looking tatty.
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Post by vodnik on Jan 7, 2017 14:52:53 GMT
...there is a way without flocking; mix white glue, water, desired colour & sand and aply to the base - after drying put any highligts with an other colour or ink - if you like tlocking you need a lot of varnish...
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Post by ammianus on Jan 8, 2017 13:26:12 GMT
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Post by phippsy on Jan 11, 2017 22:33:30 GMT
Lots to experiment with there. thanks all.
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Post by bob on Jan 13, 2017 2:16:35 GMT
Are people putting the figures onto the bases before or after they flock the base?
I like to paint the element base and the figure base the same green. Sometimes brown. Then glue the figures to the Element base, then put a fairly full strength covering of Aleen's white glue across the element base and the figures base, then sprinkle various flocking's. I have found that a plastic squirt bottle like the type used for catchup/mustard is very useful because when you squeeze it it gives force to the application of the flocking. Mostly I'm using static grass. I will sometimes sprinkle by hand some sand like material first in patches. Then after everything has dried, a little spray of Matt varnish.
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Post by primuspilus on Dec 30, 2017 0:34:59 GMT
Spray the entire element with Krylon Clear Matte fixer. Done.
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Post by macbeth on Jan 1, 2018 21:54:27 GMT
Most recently I have been basing my figures with the following process
Paint the base a chosen ground colour (some shade of brown or grey)
Stick the figures on the base then apply PVA glue to the whole base, sprinkle some small rocks and twigs from Australian Meat Ant nests then put the base in a container of white pumice
When the PVA glue is dry paint the pumice in the chosen ground colour then go over the ground with a well watered down darker colour (brown/grey/black).
Apply tufts or foliage, then put in some patches of PVA glue and put the base in a tray with a second flock mix - this can be even smaller rocks, sand or flocking.
I then spray with a matt varnish to help hold in the second flocking
cheers
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Post by weddier on Jan 2, 2018 0:19:30 GMT
As others, I paint the base and flock while wet. I add extra detail with tweezers. When dry, I flood the base with thinned matte Mod Podge using an eyedropper. (Put the base on a piece of silicon paper such as label backing or cooking parchment to catch the drips.) The result looks realistic, feels like a plastic sponge, and has to be scraped off with a knife if you want it gone.
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Post by primuspilus on Jan 2, 2018 3:20:17 GMT
Do you use static grass, or fine turf-type flocking? Seems to me the Mod Podge would "tamp down" the flocking and make it look flat and less "alive"?
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