DUAL EXO 17A – GRAPHITE BLUE 60ML.

Dual Exo 17A Graphite Blue, an acrylic paint with a satin sheen

This is an acrylic modeling paint from the AK Interactive brand, from the Dual Exo range. The blue shade is listed in the range as 17A under the name Graphite Blue, which points to a blue with a graphite, muted character. It is a satin shade, so once dry it leaves a semi-gloss finish.

A satin finish and what to expect from it

Satin is the middle degree of sheen between flat and gloss. It leaves a fine silky sheen that draws shapes and edges legibly, but does not reflect light as sharply as gloss. The practical advantage is a smoother surface than a flat one: decals settle on it better and silvering appears under them less often. A finished coat can moreover be varnished over with a matte or a gloss varnish to move the result where you need it.

How to work with acrylic

• It is applied with a brush as well as an airbrush. For spraying, acrylic is thinned with a thinner made for acrylic paints, ideally from the same brand; follow the details on the packaging for the particular ratio.
• Shake the bottle thoroughly before use. The pigment in acrylic settles at the bottom over time and paint that is not mixed gives an uneven tone.
• Apply several thin coats rather than one thick one. A thin coat holds better, does not fill engraved lines in and lets the surface texture of a part show.
• On plastic, resin and photo-etched parts alike it pays to apply a base coat first. It unifies the base and markedly improves the adhesion of the coat.
• Let every coat dry properly before you paint over it or mask. Apply masking tape to a matured coat and pull it off slowly.

Who the paint is for

The paint suits modelers who build plastic, resin and mixed-media models and want the degree of sheen under control from the coat itself rather than only from the final varnish. The Dual Exo range is numbered in pairs with the letters A and B; besides individual bottles the manufacturer also makes sets that bring a pair together in one package. When combining it with other paints, stay within one chemistry, that is acrylic with acrylic, and choose a varnish compatible with acrylic.

Keep the paint out of the reach of children, in a closed bottle and away from frost. When spraying, work in a well ventilated space and protect your airways. The manufacturer's instructions given on the packaging always take precedence.