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Dakka:

I am working out reformulating my colors as I'm trying to break my Citadel dependence. I trying out Vallejo paints for the first time, and my Vallejo Flat Red has some very odd characteristics. Not being super familiar with the range, I thought the community could shed some light.

So far all the Model Color range paints I've tried have been great, and all have a more or less matte or satin sheen. But this Flat Red (70.957) does not act like the rest. The medium has an iridescent quality, and a thin layer will have the strange effect of leaving the model with a strange, yellowy iridescent appearance. None of the other model color paints act like this.

So it my Flat Red bad, or is this how some of the more peculiar Vallejo colors act?

I'll try and post some pics if I can of what I'm talking about if that's not clear. Thanks!

Not sure if any VMC colours need it but a small number of VGC colours can require stirring - shaking just isn't enough to mix it properly. If that doesn't work, you might just have a dud bottle as that shouldn't be happening.

Have you tried shaking and/or rolling the bottle first? On some Vallejo paints the pigment separates from the binder, which can be resolved by mixing it back together via shaking/rolling.

 heartserenade wrote:
Have you tried shaking and/or rolling the bottle first? On some Vallejo paints the pigment separates from the binder, which can be resolved by mixing it back together via shaking/rolling.

Once I noticed the odd quality I gave it a pretty vigorous shaking, figuring something like that was up. It didn't seem to alter the characteristics. I have not however tried opening the bottle ANC stirring. I suppose I'll give that a try next.

My VGC Bloody Red sometimes does that as well. What I do is stir it on the palette, and it still applies just fine (if shaking didn't work). Dunno if that'll work on VMC Flat Red, but I hope it does.

My VGC Bloody Red separates significantly more than other colors, as well. I avoid shaking Vallejo dropper bottles, at least initially, as that can lodge the medium that rises to the top in the nozzle. This throws off the mix ratio of the first few drop, as that little pocket can't mix with the rest of the moving paint.

Try the (manufacturer recommended) rolling method and/or stirring before you give up on the paint. Shaking is only moderately effective on that type of bottle design, especially when they're mostly full.