Paint Exfoliation Activator

Hataka Paint Exfoliation Activator, a medium for controlled uncovering of paint

An auxiliary product, not a paint. It is applied between two coats of paint and, once the top color has dried, allows that color to be removed in a controlled way, so that wear, chipping and glimpses of the coat underneath appear. It is most often used when imitating a temporary winter coat that was quickly rubbed off in service. The manufacturer tuned the medium for its own temporary white paint intended for exactly this procedure. The product is odorless and comes in a 17 ml bottle. The manufacturer is the Polish brand Hataka.

Use

• Spray and let the lower color cure, that is the one that is to show through in the end
• Apply the medium with a brush or an airbrush in a thin continuous coat and let it dry
• Spray the top color over it and let it only become tacky, not cure fully
• Wet the area with water, wait a while and uncover it with a stiff-bristled brush, a toothpick or a sponge
• Control the amount of wear by the wetting time and the pressure, and seal the finished state with a clear coat

Who it is for

For vehicle and diorama modelers who want irregular, convincing wear of the kind that cannot be drawn with a brush. The method takes a little practice, so try the whole procedure on an offcut of sprue or on a plastic spoon before you touch the model.

Keep out of the reach of children, ventilate while working and avoid contact with the eyes. This is neither a paint nor a thinner.