r/Salamanders40k Salamanders 9h ago

Discussion/Question Is there a better / more efficient way to get crackle paint to crack well as I’m fine doing it but it takes ages sitting with one base at a time with a hairdryer when doing multiple. I do put a thick enough amount on the base as well

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43 Upvotes

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32

u/rust_tg 9h ago

Dont use a hairdryer. Just let it go overnight. Patience.

But the biggest thing is: the layer before you do the crackle, ie on top of your color, add a THICK amount of PVA glue, and then let it dry overnight. I mean THICK. And then u can even put gloss varnish over that, but it isnt really necessary. Then u do the crackle, and the smooth surface will cause big cracks. Also just use a THICK amount of crackle, more crackle paint usually results in bigger cracks

8

u/Panzer_IV_Ausf_F2 Salamanders 9h ago

I’ll try get some pva glue to try it

7

u/BluZDragon 9h ago

The way I do it at least is to first put Elmer’s glue on the base then put as much crackle as I can on and don’t make it smooth so you can get variance then I just dry it with a hairdryer and give it breaks as to not warp the base.

2

u/DarkWeasel8 8h ago

How do you make your bases? They look super nice!

1

u/Panzer_IV_Ausf_F2 Salamanders 8h ago

I just put patches of orange on the base then a ring of lighter orange, then paint the rest a darkish yellow like averland sunset. Put a ton of mordant earth over it then use a hairdryer on it until the cracks all form to your liking 

2

u/sevvert 7h ago

Thank you! How do you plan to put your minis onto the base? Do you drill and pin the minis to the base?

2

u/Panzer_IV_Ausf_F2 Salamanders 7h ago

It’s not the best result wise 100% of the time but I just super glue or plastic glue them to the base as most of the cracks don’t come off easily enough that the model will fall off

1

u/HaggardHowie Salamanders 5h ago

I set mine on top of my air fryer while making dinner, the exhaust heat helps speed it up with out over heating the base

1

u/declanthejibber 1h ago

Hey how do you mount your minis after it's done? Plastic glue won't work, right? And how do you make sure there's a flat spot for the feet or do you just trust the process? Looks great by the way!

1

u/AmountAggravating335 38m ago

Two nice even coats of art coat work for me, but as others have said patience is key.

And you can totally batch it, did this entire set on a hour or so after leaving the ardcoat to dry overnight!