Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

hey guys!

I heard that dishshoap can greatly improve how well your paint flows and how smooth the surface will be.
I never used paint soap in my paint before, but I recently cleaned my watercup with dish soap to get it super clean (usually rince with water and rub it a bit) and used filtered water to paint my models and the surface was really smooth and no paint strokes were visible.
After I swapped the water once again, I did not have the same results, but also used normal tap water...

My question now is:
Is it really the dish soap?
How and how much do I use it properly?

Yes, it's most likely the dish soap.
You only need a TINY amount - it works by breaking the surface tension of the paint/water mix, allowing it to flow much more smoothly, and preventing it beading quite so much.

The reason water forms droplets is the same reason brush strokes are visible - the surface tension of the water or paint holds a good chunk of it together.

You could also use a 'for purpose' acrylic flow-aid.

Yes, liquitex flo-aid is very soapy. But I'd just buy flo-aid instead of messing with dish soap as the ratio is easy to measure out with flo-aid, and $10 of product will last you a lifetime (literally makes 5000mL of flow enhancer, which is enough for thousands of models).

Keep in mind this technique is better for some colors than others. It's great for the chalky colors like white, and less great for colors like blue that are naturally more rubbery. It's not really good for colors like black, which come out less black with it.

If you are using natural hair brushes, dish soap is a bad idea.( I realize you are not cleaning your brushes with it.) There are many sorts of flow enhancers out there, and any one of them will do.

Filtered tap water, tap water, meh. If it is a concern, get a gallon of distilled water for better results.

Why is it Bad? I use w&n series 7 with w&n brushsoap to clean my brushes, sometimes even inbetween same colors if I paint a LOT)

brushsoap != dishsoap

Dishsoap typically has degreasers in it, which isn't good for hair

kb_lock wrote:
brushsoap != dishsoap

Dishsoap typically has degreasers in it, which isn't good for hair

Yeah. I read somewhere, once upon a time, ivory was good for this purpose. But I have no firsthand knowledge -- like I said, I just bought a flo-aid, and I'm not even 1/4 through the bottle, years later. A lot of paints... *most* IMO... thin just fine with water for all but the most discerning applications, anyhow.

Aeri wrote:
Why is it Bad? I use w&n series 7 with w&n brushsoap to clean my brushes, sometimes even inbetween same colors if I paint a LOT)

Brush soaps have conditioners like paraffin in them to help condition the bristles.
Dish soap commonly contains limonene (a degreaser and in large concentrations, plastic-damaging chemical).

I use 1-2 drops of Dawn dish soap in my water cup to help reduce surface tension. I use synthetic brushes, so no concerns about degreasers. Works for me. *shrug*

 Buttery Commissar wrote:

Aeri wrote:
Why is it Bad? I use w&n series 7 with w&n brushsoap to clean my brushes, sometimes even inbetween same colors if I paint a LOT)

Brush soaps have conditioners like paraffin in them to help condition the bristles.
Dish soap commonly contains limonene (a degreaser and in large concentrations, plastic-damaging chemical).

I can't imagine the small amount you need would actually do any harm. You only need a fraction of a drop, I would just put a toothpick in to the dishsoap and then dip the toothpick in to my paint on my palette.

When you finish up I'd always recommend using a soap with conditioner in it though, regardless of whether you are using dishsoap or not, I'd still recommend it.

I've used harsher chemicals on my sable brushes (which I don't recommend, lol) and after a bit of usage and cleaning with regular hand soap they were back in their old shape again.

I was just referring to the nature of soaps. I have no comment on the use of surfactants in painting, as its not been something I needed yet.