A question about "pastels"

The method that was told to me, which seems to work very well (Thanks Snowy and the rest!) is to just rub the chalk across some sandpaper or a nutmeg grater. Pick up the dust with a dry brush, and "Paint" it on the parts. If you don't like it a little water will take it right off.

Since there is no real adhesion, it won't stay if the model is handled much. Also trying to seal it on with Future or other sealant tends to just blw it off, at least in my experience (which is very limited). There is a thread right now on the "Techniques" forum about sealing it, and one or two mentioned that they have been able to though. Flat surfaces tend to hold onto it a bit better

Thank you, and also for the "sealing"part.
Because that was immediately my second question reading the first part of your answer!
I'm going try it tonight on some fineshed models I've got!

Be careful about what type of pastels you buy. You do not want the pastels that have oil. I picked up several sets up at Hobby Lobby real cheap.

Also, you can also wash with pastels. Goes well over flat paint and you do not have to clear coat. Simply take a #11 knife and shave some color from your pastel stick. Mix with a little water and soap and apply as a sludge wash. I just tried this on my Corsair and was very pleased. If you wanted to be really critical though and compare the pastel wash with the oil, the pastel might be a little heavier/thicker. This is probably due to the larger pigment in the wash. Or maybe just my poor beginners technique.

QUOTE: Originally posted by cbreeze Be careful about what type of pastels you buy. You do not want the pastels that have oil.

I heard that to, and forgot to mention it; sorry.

CBreeze, any idea why we should not use the pastels with oil in them? Just guessing, but it seems to me that if they are slightly oily that might help them to stay in place better.

From what I read, the oils make them more like crayons. I can only say that I tried the, for lack of a better work, the ones without oil and they worked fine. When I went into Hobby Lobby I really didn't know what I was looking for. I asked the sales person about the pastels without oils and she knew what I was talking about. If you do a search on pastels you can get the same information I did. Experiment on an old plastic piece and you will be pleased.

Exactly the same here, and in fact I even got them at Hobby Lobby I had no idea what to look for other than the recommendation of some very helpful guys here not to use the oil-based chalks. I took them at their word, and haven't been disappointed. Just curious as to why. Could be that they just don't "Dust Up" as well if they are like crayons as you mentioned.

The oil pastels won't "dust-up" at all. They will just make a mess. You simply won't get the effect that you need. In fact, you can also use charcoal dust or even graphite dust. The key is the "dust" part.

I just use an exacto or razor to scrape the pastel dust into a dish and then I use a short stiff brush to "paint" the dust on. I then use a longer haired softer brush to blend it in and to remove excess. You get much better adhesion if you apply pastel dust over a dull-coat. If you over-spray with another dull-coat to seal them in, you will lose the matted effect that the pastels give you, but the color will still be there.

QUOTE: Originally posted by thevinman The oil pastels won't "dust-up" at all. They will just make a mess. You simply won't get the effect that you need.

Thanks Vinny. Saved me the trouble of trying them just to see if they would work.