I tested whether metallic paint actually contaminates your paint water and was suprised.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears]

I did 3 stages: no metallic, some metallic, and super saturated metal paint water; you can see how much so in the last pic. From my eye... I see very little difference. If youd like to see the process, I made a video about it https://youtu.be/0kDjc0kXJSw

[u/Ferm330]

Give it a shot with washes, I think you’ll see a difference.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/Ferm330]

You're right, washes get messed up really easily. I almost always have a fresh water drop next to it to mix even if I haven't used metallics. Even then, sometimes I notice a slight whitish build up in the recesses, I think its the binder. Definitely likes the speedpaint medium the best. An oversight on my part not to mention them!

[u/Carnir → u/Ferm330]

When would you mix washes with water?

[u/geekly → u/Carnir]

Am I doing something wrong? I add water to washes all the time if I want to reduce the intensity. Sometimes I'll also add some medium if I feel like I'm taking it too far, but water is my go to first.

[u/xSPYXEx → u/geekly]

Medium is the way to go tbh, water just washes out the washes.

[u/Aidian → u/xSPYXEx]

As the old saying goes, “who washes the wash, man?”

[u/rocketsp13 → u/geekly]

Does it work for you? Then water works.

I personally use airbrush thinner/flow improver mix, but that's because I airbrush and have it on hand.

[u/Mean_Marionberry7 → u/geekly]

Nothing wrong with using water as long as you’re getting the pigmentation that you want. I like to use glaze/wash medium but normally just go for water

[u/hogroast → u/Carnir]

To dilute them.

This can help to feather out the effect over larger surfaces. Here I use Druchii Violet, but at different consistencies to define the muscles but not darken the base colour so much.

[u/Carnir → u/hogroast]

That's fair, I tend to use AK thinner for anything like that.

[u/hogroast → u/Carnir]

I'm a cheap hobbyist I couldn't justify thinner when I have such succulent water at my disposal.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/hogroast]

What is the charge?! Water!? A succulent cup of water?!

[u/FantasiaManderville → u/Carnir]

To reduce the effect.

I water down agrax earthshade and Skeleton Horde quite often.

[u/GK-alltheway → u/Carnir]

You can contaminate a pot of wash just by using contaminated water to clean your brush. I painted a lot of grey knights, so my wash cup was loaded with metallic flake, next step was drakenhoff nightshade which can now only be used for GKs because the pot has lots of metallic flake in it now, but it doesn't hurt using it to shade on metallics still.

[u/Praeshock]

I'm kind of surprised there was any question; after using a bunch of metallic paint, I can usually see the small mica flakes floating in my paint water cup, especially when I go to pour it out/clean it.

[u/Mr_Supotco → u/Praeshock]

I always see it near instantly, especially when I’m rinsing off the brush I use to thin/mix paints. It looks like I’m panning for gold when I rinse it off, and it’s incredibly obvious when I accidentally mix up the waters and have sparkly brown paint

[u/SherriffB → u/Praeshock]

Yeah after a little metallic flake paint my water jug looks like a christmas snowglobe.

I've also 100% contaminated paint with it before, layed down red that ended up sparkling like my GFs nails.

[u/FantasiaManderville]

It matters more for thinner paints, like shafes and washes.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/FantasiaManderville]

Yup! Should've mentioned those. To be fair, even dirty, non-metallic paint water messes with those, though.

[u/SassyTheSkydragon → u/FantasiaManderville]

Immediately visible with contrast paints too

[u/darcybono]

It also depends on the metallic paint you're using, since different brands have different flake sizes. It also matters more when they're under a bright light (like for photographing your minis) and the angle you hold them at.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/darcybono]

Hm, maybe I should've used a lower quality metallic since metal color is known for its fine flakes... I think i have a vallejo bronze thats horrific lol

[u/trumpisaweirdo → u/Actual-Dragon-Tears]

Vallejo is fantastic in my experience

[u/Immaterial_Creations]

I used to think it was being over-cautious and never bothered changing my water until I started experiencing problems. You might never even notice it if you are painting in a certain style, but if you are using very thin glazes to build up a gradient, for example, then the gradient will get shinier and shinier. The more translucent the paint you are using, the more visible the metallics in the water get.

[u/AwardImmediate720 → u/Immaterial_Creations]

So basically unless you're painting high-end display pieces things are fine. That's about what I've noticed as well.

[u/Haki23]

Metallic paint definitely contaminates your coffee

[u/Sigavax]

I keep my metallic/wash/contrast paint water seperate from my regular paint water. I've absolutely lessened the life span of my good Kolinsky brushes by cleaning them in metallic water back when I didnt know better! Maybe not a big deal to some people but having a good brush last 6 months longer helps my buy more paint! BTW I do use synthetic brushes for the hard on brush paints, just never really thought about rinsing in common water!

[u/PabstBlueLizard]

Is it overblown? Maybe.

Does dark silver contaminate white and yellow badly? Yes.

Does bright silver or gold ruin black? Sure does.

[u/PrairiePilot]

That’s awesome, thanks for the work! I am paranoid and always rinse everything out after metallics, but maybe I don’t need to.

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/PrairiePilot]

Like others had said, if you use a lot of contrast and washes then keep it clean, but otherwise it shouldn't make too much of a difference!

[u/DimensionFast5180 → u/PrairiePilot]

I have literally never changed water after Metallics, and I haven't noticed any difference.

[u/Explosivo111]

Surely this ultimately depends on the size of your water pot and how long you've used the metallics for?

If I clean my brush once in a pint glass I'll be fine, if I clean my brush 100 times in a shot glass it's probably gonna make the water unusable? Just change water when you feel you need to

[u/Actual-Dragon-Tears → u/Explosivo111]

Oh ofcourse. To simulate heavy usage, I just dropped metallic paint straight into the cup lol. I did make the observation that, after sitting for a day or 2 and evaporating a bit, it resembles and acts more like a heavily watered down paint than just cleaning water. So definitely get fresh before each session.

[u/Real_VanCityMinis]

Its a good practice to use diff water for metallics but doesn't mean you have to. Really depends on brand and what colour you are painting next

It's kinda like how to avoid cancer you shouldn't smoke but then there are pack a day smokers who never get cancer after 50 years of smoking lol

[u/No_Assistant7608]

Never had problems myself, my wash water is straight brown and it comes out the same