Part of my job is to keep an eye on the Privateer Press forums and answer questions about painting. Recently, a number of commonly asked questions have cropped up. Below are some of those questions and the answers.

Q: How do you transfer paint from the pot to the palette?

A: What I do is specific to Formula P3 paint pots. I shake the pot well before opening, which usually transfers paint into the well in the cap. Then, using an older brush that is well past it’s painting days, I dip the bristles in all the way and use a scooping action to get as much paint on the bristles as possible. Finally, I wipe the paint on the side of the well in my dry palette, add some water to the paint, and then I’m ready to go.

Q: I’ve mixed a lot of paint in my dry palette; how do I keep it wet longer?

A: The trick Privateer Press Studio Director Ron Kruzie taught me when I started here was to cover the palette with a Formula P3 paint bottle. Make sure it’s a color you aren’t currently using, and when you are done with the mix in the palette for the time being, just cover it with a paint pot. You can leave it overnight and come back to wet paint. Then all you have to do is dilute the mix with a little bit of water and get to work.

Q: How do I clean my brushes?

A: Cleaning brushes, whether they are natural fiber or synthetic, is very important. It can extend the life of your brush by a lot. I like to keep my tools clean, so I make sure to clean my brushes thoroughly in the rinse water. Sometimes that’s not enough, and you can end up with paint drying in the bristles, which can ruin your brush. Using a brush cleaner and conditioner is easy and not time consuming. I like using The Master’s Brush Cleaner and Preserver® cake soap. You can get it in bar or cake form in a plastic container. I like the one in the container because it’s easy to transport and you can make sure the soap doesn’t get dirty with debris.

Using cool or room temperature water (never hot) rinse your brush and then swirl it in the soap—you want to see it get sudsy. Work the bristles gently with your fingers and then rinse. If your brush is starting to lose its point, you can put the brush cleaner on the bristles, form it by gently pinching, and then let it sit for a few hours. Come back and clean the brush gently with cool or lukewarm water and that should help keep its point.

Q: Why is my paint shiny?

A: Formula P3 paint dries with a bit of a shine. This is due to the chemical composition of the paint and is normal. Once you are done painting your model, hit it with a matte finish to kill the shine.