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A guy at my flgs said that if i was having problems with my model paint coming of i could use cheap hairspray and that would work.
What do you guys think of that? would that work?

No it wont work

Why not as long as it drys flat it should be okay right?

Hairspray will work for all of about 10 minutes. How do women get rid of hairspray from their hair? They take a shower. And what is usually on the end of your fingers? Moisture. Hairspray will come off pretty much as soon as you touch it.

garret wrote:Why not as long as it drys flat it should be okay right?

Assuming that before it dries and no dust gets on it like static grass ,
then the moment you touch it sweat etc etc its going to be really awful.

I don't see how seeing this musical helps seal minis at all?



Oh wait, no I wouldn't use hairspray either. Good sealers are easily found at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores, not to mention model stores.
At worst future floor finish makes a good (if shiny) sealer proof against anygthing short of a car crash.

I have used hairspray for other applications like gluing grips on my handlebars of a bicycle. I just don't see it working that well on minis though.

i've used to as a quick fix to seal charcoal when i'm drawing, but i wouldn't use it on a model.
Just hit up a hobby store or something man, legit sealer isn't terrible expensive

One of the ways to use hairspray is as a "temporary" sealer. It lets you get ink layers, etc done. It's also good for working with weathering pigments.

No good dont do it , like what was said sealer isnt that much money and it lasts , a can usually get me through like 2 army's at least .

Hair spray won't work sadly, but if you can get some pva glue that drys clear that works pretty well.

Commissar Cain wrote:Hair spray won't work sadly, but if you can get some pva glue that drys clear that works pretty well.

You really use PVA glue to seal your models?

As an aside, why dont people just use varnish?

Varnish!

Elnicko5 wrote:As an aside, why dont people just use varnish?

Seriously. We pay hundreds (thousands?) of dollars and then spend dozens of hours to paint our minis. Then when it comes time to protect it all, you want to try some novel technique. Buy some proper varnish for pete's sake.

Elnicko5 wrote:

Commissar Cain wrote:Hair spray won't work sadly, but if you can get some pva glue that drys clear that works pretty well.

You really use PVA glue to seal your models?

As an aside, why dont people just use varnish?

I dont see why you cant use watered down PVA glue. Hell I use Elmers on my bases and such, and to seal the sand/gravel/sugar? on the bases I used what I call water glue. Basically 50/50 elmers/water to seal the stuff. But it obviously gets onto the feet and I just let it dry. You cant even tell there is glue on it, its totally clear. I think that stuff in a spray bottle would work real nice Ill have to give it a try

Hello all......


i guess i am the idiot. I have always used Hairspray... The cheaper the better. I go to my local dollar general or walmart and buy the cheapest one i can find. It works. Protects against scratches, never changes the paint colors like some sealers do, dry flat, and seals even base stuff. I have never had a problem with it. My issues with the expensive stuff is, would get a shine on them or would cause shades to change. I am a dry brush method user other then inks. So when some one says to not use hair spray i laugh at them. Go get a bottle of Aquanet and never worry about your models

Astalado wrote:
i guess i am the idiot. I have always used Hairspray... The cheaper the better. I go to my local dollar general or walmart and buy the cheapest one i can find. It works. Protects against scratches, never changes the paint colors like some sealers do, dry flat, and seals even base stuff. I have never had a problem with it. My issues with the expensive stuff is, would get a shine on them or would cause shades to change. I am a dry brush method user other then inks. So when some one says to not use hair spray i laugh at them. Go get a bottle of Aquanet and never worry about your models

I don't think anyone was calling the OP or you an idiot for doing what they wish with their minis. Smear butter on yours, for all it matters to me. But the fact is that the OP asked for people's opinions, and everyone gave a thoughtful answer. Hairspray is not waterproof, nor do I think it provides near the scratch-resistance that a proper sealer would. The condensation from a soda can or sweat on someone's fingertips might ruin an otherwise fine paint job. And my point was that you spend a lot of money on the product, why skimp on a rather insignificant detail like a $5 can of sealer?