Can oil paint weathering crack over the years?

[jusdrewit]

Note, this hasn't happened to me, but my friend has mentioned that over years oil paint can crack over time. So my question is, has anyone experienced oil paint cracking when used for weathering? If you seal it, does that help? I normally wipe away so much, there's not much left anyways, to just strikes and grim. Plus I dilute mine accordingly, but just was wondering what others do, and if this should be a concern years later when looking at your model. Thanks!

 

[joberg]

Cracks in your "wear and tear" effects? Great But, seriously...it could, over time. Depending on the surface. My friend has painted his collection of thin soldiers for years, with oil paints and never had problems. The other friend has a few probs on his ABS, Syntra, plastic models...sometimes. It all depends on the surface and the reaction to temperature for example, or the type of dilution you're using to create some of the effects.

 

[Analyzer]

In terms of oil paintings on canvas, I believe the cracking is caused by thicker layers where some of the layers may have more linseed oil or similar having different drying times. In some cases the varnishes used over them can also have a similar effect where the varnish dries quicker than the thicker underlayers causing racking as well

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I have oil paintings I had done back in the 80s that have no cracks in them

However, I think using oils for weathering on models is a bit different. In general we are using very thin staining layers and we are not mixing in linseed oil or varnishes etc..
Also it is recommended to put the oils out on a paper towel or similar surface that will suck out some of the oils from the paints so they dry quicker

 

[jusdrewit]

Great points guys, really appreciate it. After you weather a model with the oil paints, do you normally seal them them or isn't it necessary with oil paints? For example would one seal streaks done on the Bandai PG Falcon (or other Bandai SW kits)? Just curious what others do

 

[Analyzer]

Great points guys, really appreciate it. After you weather a model with the oil paints, do you normally seal them them or isn't it necessary with oil paints? For example would one seal streaks done on the Bandai PG Falcon (or other Bandai SW kits)? Just curious what others do

I generally do not bother sealing the model unless I am going to be adding some more acrylic paint Event then, you probably want to wait a few weeks before sealing it to make sure the oils are dry

I will sometimes dull coat things rather than seal them

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I was also thinking that this might only happen to thicker paint, not weathering, but I'm not an expert. Usually if anything goes wrong with my SW model, it's "battle damage".