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OMG my Devlan mud is turning white when it dries! Seems to happen anywhere there is a crevice / pool... right where I need the mud to be darkest. Areas with a thin coat seem to dry OK.

Fortunately I'm using it for desert style lizardmen, that get a second wash of Gryphonne sepia. This seems to cover it up, but it still doesn't look right.

I'm curious... anyone else have this happen? What did you do to fix it?

Also, if anyone has any idea what caused this Devlan mud issue, let me know. I feel vaguely betrayed because Devlan mud is so awesome when it works correctly! It isn't supposed to mess up my paintjob!

Thanks!

Is it old? Been exposed to air/sunlight? Did the pot do this when new or has it happened over time?

Have you varnished as well?

Does it have a lot of exposure to bright light outdoors (not through a window)?

Any chance of some pictures?

did you put varnish on it?
that might work

Did you shake it before use?

I formerly apologise for my fellow Dakkaites frantic questions. Truth is, they're terrified that Devlan Mud, the paint that solves all problems, has a flaw. From what iv'e gathered from a quick surf of the internet, the worst thing that seems to have happened to others is that their Devlan Mud smells weirdly of Soy sauce. this isn't a joke: Mine does have an odd smell and I believe someone may have pointed this out on a thread a while back.

So, AFAIK, yours might be a one off random pot, or as some of the others here have indicated, it may have been caused by another factor. If it isn't i suggest going to your GW and asking about it. Im sure they'll reimburse you with another pot at the very least.

Ive never had some turn white, but I did have a couple pots that were unusually glossy. I found that out on my DE Hydra. But i lucked out because now its skin just looks kinda slimey, which is a good thing I think.

Did you turn it off and on again? Jiggle the cord?

... sorry, couldn't resist.

Since your other washes are fine it's probably just an issue with the batch you're using... hmm... take it to a GW and demonstrate it to them and they'll definitely exchange it.

ghosty wrote:I formerly apologise for my fellow Dakkaites frantic questions. Truth is, they're terrified that Devlan Mud, the paint that solves all problems, has a flaw.

Yeah, where would we be without it eh? My day just isn't complete unless i've drenched at least 1 mini in my fave diarreah... (do we have a better sarcasm orkmoticon?)

It was quite funny though seeing the replies stack up within seconds.

You're not the only one with this problem. I've found that after a pot is a few months old it starts doing that.

Your best bet is to mix what you have left over into a newer pot. For the painted area you can rewash the area with new devlan mud, or scrub it with a wet q-tip.

I'd go as far as saying that improper storage (and the naff seals on the 'bolter rnd' pots) are responsible for 99.% of all paint problems.

My Thrakka Green has a similar problem. It's mostly from lack of use, not shaking it enough, and poor storage.

I've had this issue appear over superglue.
Just saying.

Pictures… here is a base that is particularly offensive. Look at the log in the middle… It is simply grey primer, dark flesh, Devlan mud wash.



And here are the guys I’m working on. The two on the outside have the fresh, just dried, devlan mud wash. They really are that chalky. If you zoom in to the neck of the guy on the right you can see the white areas in the cracks, where it should be darkest. The guy in the middle was taken to the same stage as the other two, but additionally highlighted to bleached bone on scales, then all-over washed with Gryphonne sepia.



I sincerely appreciate all the responses! You all have been excellent Watsons, helping explore possible explanations, so thank you!
My other washes are the same age (or older), not used anywhere near as much... and they do not do this. I have not done any varnishing yet, because the guys are still WIP, sunlight hasn't been involved, etc. Old is a relative term, but the bottle definitely falls in that couple of months age bracket and only has about 1/4 bottle left.

Maybe I just documented a strange property of somewhat old-ish Devlan mud? Maybe this pot is just a Bermuda triangle / Twilight Zone pot and needs to be retired... gah

Conclusion? Get a new pot and re-wash the white spots. I'll bring the cursed thing to my store and see about getting a replacement.

Shake the pots well before you use them.
(You SHOULD do this for paints anyway).

Never had that issue with dev mud though.

Devlan mud is a WASH not a PAINT. The pigment to carrier ratio is much different to a paint as is the translucency of the pigment.

Gymnogyps wrote:
My other washes are the same age (or older), not used anywhere near as much... and they do not do this. I have not done any varnishing yet, because the guys are still WIP, sunlight hasn't been involved, etc. Old is a relative term, but the bottle definitely falls in that couple of months age bracket and only has about 1/4 bottle left.

Then its because of an increased concentration of medium at the bottom of the DM tub, caused by not shaking it properly before previous uses.

those "lizardmen" look suspiciously like river trolls...

anyway, i am glad that you brought this to my attention, i normally don't shake my washes, as it makes them all bubbly. that will change, though.

Orki wrote:

Gymnogyps wrote:
My other washes are the same age (or older), not used anywhere near as much... and they do not do this. I have not done any varnishing yet, because the guys are still WIP, sunlight hasn't been involved, etc. Old is a relative term, but the bottle definitely falls in that couple of months age bracket and only has about 1/4 bottle left.

Then its because of an increased concentration of medium at the bottom of the DM tub, caused by not shaking it properly before previous uses.

Sounds like the problem. Make sure you always shake it well before use. The 'white' part is probably the medium as Orki mentioned separating from the actual ink or pigment which gives it colour. If it's still doing that after you shake it thoroughly, it's probably just a bad pot so I'd throw it out and buy a new one.