HOW TO USE

Preparations Before Use:

• Make sure that there is good ventilation.

• Wear a good carbon filter face mask while spraying.

• Wear gloves while spraying and smudging.

• Ensure all surfaces to be sprayed are clean, dry and free from grease.

• Mask areas of the model that are not to be sprayed.

• Spray over suitable protective sheets.

• Shake the can for at least 5 seconds before use (and often while spraying).

• Caution - solvent can damage some surfaces. To protect a surface, such as paintwork, apply a matt varnish spray before applying spray. Before use, always test on hidden surfaces to check that weathering liquid causes no damage or staining. Porous surfaces such as paper or unpainted plaster will absorb the spray and be permanently stained.

Instructions For Use:

• Spray to one side first to clear the nozzle.

• Hold can upright while spraying.

• Use sparingly. Apply several light coats rather than one heavy coat.

• The colour will vary depending on the number and thickness of coats applied.

• Spots of concentrated dye may appear if the button is only partially depressed.

• Heavy spraying may result in the dye dripping or puddling and the colour may transfer on to the surfaces it comes into contact with.

• Modelmates may not adhere to some very highly polished surfaces.

• Drying time is usually less than a minute  for a light coat.

Even Spray Application To Models Or Landscapes:

• Hold the can in an upright position 300mm from a surface.

• Spray evenly moving the can from side to side.

• Keep button fully depressed.

Uneven Spray Application  To Models Or Landscapes:

• Spray as above but unevenly by concentrating the spray in some areas more than others.

• Spray at different distances from a surface.

Dense Spray Application To Models Or Landscapes:

• Hold the can 100mm from the surface.

• Spray directly at the model in short bursts with the nozzle partially dressed.

Spraying Puddles Of Dye On Non-Absorbent / Non-Porous Models:

• For rustic spraying.

• Hold the nozzle against the surface

• Slightly depress nozzle.

• Spray a small puddle of dye (caution: this may cause damage to some plastics, paintwork and printed surfaces).

• Wait 10 to 15 minutes until fully dry.

• Wipe some dry dye off with a slightly damp cloth leaving dye trapped in protrusions and recesses.

• 

Dabbing/Painting/Rubbing Onto Models Or Landscapes:

• Modelmates can be dabbed, painted or rubbed onto models.

• Spray into a container, for example the lid of the can and create a small puddle.

• This puddle is alcohol and will evaporate very quickly, usually within a minute or two.

• Quickly apply it to a surface while it is still wet using a fine or stiff brush.

• The dye can also be rubbed on using a damp cloth or cotton bud.

Spraying Onto Matt Surfaces:

• Modelmates may not spread evenly over the surface but gather into small puddles.

• This is usually remedied by rubbing the surface of the varnish or enamel with a dry cloth.

• After rubbing, the dye will usually adhere to the surface.

• Alternately, gently clean the area with a little fairly liquid on a damp cloth.

• If a surface is varnished or enamelled, we recommend testing a small section before applying the whole model.

• If the transfers are water applied and not sealed, varnished or enamelled, then they may be damaged if Modelmates is removed using a damp tissue.

Spraying A Model House:

The model house above is non-absorbent / non-porous plastic and can easily be smudged with a slightly damp tissue or cotton bud to create a patchy weathered finish. The spray must be fully dry and the tissue must be just slightly damp and not wet, otherwise too much dye will be removed. I find a twisting motion with a tissue best for smudging. Hold the tissue gently against the surface and twist it, just removing just a small amount of dye at a time.
Another method for more detailed work is to wipe the dye off with a cotton bud or the fine edge of a tissue. The wetter - the more dye will be removed.

Re-spray and re-smudge several times. The dye will build up where it has not been smudged and will darken in these areas. See the video of this house being sprayed.

General Information:

• Surfaces such as card, plaster, timber, cast metal models and many painted and printed surfaces will often absorb Modelmates and be permanently stained, especially if applied heavily. Methylated spirits can sometimes remove stains that cannot be removed by water.

• Modelmates is translucent and will not colour and obscure in the same way as a paint. The colour of a surface is often more dominant than the Modelmates colour.

• Different background surface colours will change the appearance of the colours. For example, a Rusty Red applied onto brown plastic will look like a red/brown colour, almost as if some brown had been added to the mixture. Mud Brown applied onto Grey plastic will result in a darker brown colour.

• The actual colour is more apparent when applied to lighter coloured surfaces, then the Modelmates colour is more dominant.

• The colours will look different when applied to surfaces with different absorbencies. For example, Moss Green will look different when applied onto the absorbent surface of tufted grass in a landscape, compared with the non-porous coloured plastic surface of a model.

• Colours will look different if applied to a matt surface or a gloss surface.

Practise & Test Before Use:

• Practise application techniques on cheaper, disposable models before applying anything of value.

• Absorbent / porous surfaces will be permanently discoloured by Modelmates, and this includes some painted and printed surfaces.

• Test on hidden parts of a model before final use to check that Modelmates does not cause a permanent stain, plus compatibility, adhesion and absorbency / ease of removal.

• It is possible for Modelmates to soften plastics, but we have found this to be rare.

• Surfaces previously sprayed with a matt sealer, varnish or enamel may be permanently discoloured by Modelmates. This is because the dye gets trapped in the rough matt finish.

Applying To Non-Absorbent / Non-Porous Surfaces:

• Surfaces such as plastic will not usually absorb Modelmates. Modelmates will form a dry coating on the surface which can usually be smudged or wiped using a damp cloth to create a patchy effect.

• The wetter the cloth the more Modelmates will be removed by smudging.

Safety Information:

Caution Extremely Flammable: Please always wear a good quality carbon filter mask when using Modelmates and please use gloves to protect hands. Use only in well ventilated areas. The spray can is a pressurised container, protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray onto naked flame or any incandescent material. Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Keep out of reach of children - this is not a toy. Do not breathe vapour/spray. Avoid all contact with skin and eyes.

Safety Data Sheets:

Always read the Safety Data Sheets on this web site before use. These can be found on the button above. If you do not have access to the internet, please write to us and we will send a copy by post.