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I use a lot of black paint for my models, and thus, run through it VERY quickly. I use rattle cans for basecoating most of the time, but even when doing so, I run through about a pot of black paint every week through touchup and detail work, as well as what this thread is about. That's how quickly Abaddon Black dries up in the pot, at least for me.

When painting, I use kind of an "assembly line" procedure to get more models painted faster. In doing this, my pots are generally open for about an hour at a time. After which, I usually take about a 5-10 minute break, but before I do, I close the lids and clean the brushes. I'll do this for about 6-8 hours at a time, taking frequent breaks and even 30-45 minute breaks every 2-4 hours, when I paint the most. I generally try to keep my room at about 72 degrees F. To do so sometimes means that I have to paint with a fan blowing in my general direction from about 10-15 feet away (a powerful fan that I can feel even at that distance). I try to keep it turned off when painting. I live in East Texas, so the humidity is very high.

The problem I get is that after about 5 days or so, the Abaddon Black ends up drying up around the lid and the opening, becoming very rubbery. This seems to take about 1/4 to 1/2 of my paint, and renders it useless. So after that time, I have to replace it to be able to keep painting.

This leads me to 3 questions:
Is anyone else having this issue? What can I do to prevent or slow down this to make my black paint last longer? Is there another brand paint that would be better for my situation and where is it available?

Thanks in advance.

I haven't used the new GW paints, but I love Vallejo Game Color Black! It leaves a matt black finish, and it's in the famous dropper bottle. I tend to mix it 2/1 Paint - Water/Flow Imp, and I'm just as happy every time.

I think the problem might be that your paints are open for a long period of time is all.

I havent had any problems with the new range so far.

It might be worth looking into velejo because they have the dropper bottles, so you can just put the paint you need on a palette. Saves the whole bottle drying that way.

I only have that problem with the black, my other paints stay open just as long with no ill effects.

Where's a good place to order the Valejo paints?

 mydartswinger wrote:
I only have that problem with the black, my other paints stay open just as long with no ill effects.

Where's a good place to order the Valejo paints?

Check your local (non-GW) game/hobby stores to see what they carry. Many independant stores, even those that focus on railroad & military modeling, will often carry Vallejo products. Also, try any of the blacks from the various Vallejo lines (Game Color, Model Color, and Model Air). My personal favorite for black is Model Air Black, even for brush work. I've found it to be "blacker" than the others.

Buy a pallet, close the pots at all times except when putting paint into pallet. problem solved. citadel pots seal just fine if you dont use it as a pallet (it wasnt intended to be used out of the pot; hence why gw sell pallets)

Why the hell are you keep your paint pot open and not using a palette?

Not painting out of the pot is like the number one repeated painting advice of all time.

Of course your paint will dry out if your leaving it open for 30 minutes at a time.

Use a wet palette. You can make one easily enough or buy one. I use the P3 wet palette and that thing is awesome.

use a palette to paint, and a wet palette would be the best option for you.

just get a old clamshell blister pack,
but a mall sponge (best from the same blister)
cut the blisterpack so its will be easy to use, but it wont overflow if you had your sponge in there filled with water
put the sponge in the blister
add water to the sponge so it will be damp but not too wet
add oven- or baking paper over the sponge... a tissue or paper towel will also work but not as good

add paint to the palette and you will see that it wont dry that much