PanPastels - Thanks for the info!

Thanks Joe for writing about PanPastels! I've been curious about these for a long time but could never find a solid explanation if these were just another delivery method for chalks or not. I've weathered with chalks for a long time, and am often frustrated with the process of sealing with dullcoat which means I have to apply a heavier weather than I'd like to achieve the results I want. I've seen the prepackaged PanPastel weathering kit at the local hobby shop and model train swap-meets. Generally the five-back goes for as much as $50. Your links to Amazon show that you can most of the same colors for as low as $20 total. A terrific budget saver to be sure.

There is one point I've been told by different vendors/modelers: Even though the PanPastels aren't chalks, they should still be seal-coated if the item is going to be handled a lot. If anyone has experience with the PanPastels and can comment on this point (and what they use for a seal-coat), it would be much appreciated.

I've already ordered mine. Can't wait to give them a try.

Sealcoat

I use Krylon "Dead Flat" instead of Testor's Dullcoat.  Way better value for your dollar and it is indeed a very dull coat.

Al Carter

Sealcoat

I do use a lot of Dulcote in general but often don't seal Pan Pastels. I use them on everything often as small touches on seems and boundary areas but have been known to rub quite a bit on static grass and bushes to get the shading and variations that enhance realism. When I used chalk I always had to seal it.

I'm not an operator so the rolling stock doesn't get a lot of handling.

Sealer

Nice to know we can find them at a somewhat more affordable price, thank you Joe for the info's

Seems a lot of us have trouble to fix pastel chalk or pan pastel.

I use pastel chalk, pan pastel and pigment to wheather my modelsin N scale from years

In fact I mix all together to obtain my effects, I also use distilled water to mix them and paint chalk and pan pastel, sometimes mixed together; I also mix some wash from Vallejo or Mig to put out the effects of weathering.

But when the water evaporate, the wash are dry, yes all the "chalk" job is returned to a powder stage and need sealer.

Some podcast on You tube show Georges Sellios of FSM use similar techniques by mixing powder chalk, pan pastel and pigments together and "paint" them, but he use a mix of alcool and water.

From years I use this sealer; its a GOLDEN artist matte varnish, UV resistant, he is recognized by the illustrator artist community to be a first rate product; one of the reason  is this varnish is completely translucide.

I also confirm this rate  for my use; one of the best issue with this product and recognized by all the users is the fact this varnish don't altere in any way the colors.

I use it also as a general purpose matte varnish; I airbrush it and a little spray is far enough to seal completely everything in a real matte finish with no alteration of any colors

The matte finish I use exist also in satin finish and brillant, it need a special solvent also proposed by Golden

There is already a thread about it " Pan pastels and dullcoat" on the forum discussion.

Here is it and a picture of one of my heavy weathered N scale model sealed with the GOLDEN matte varnish.

Sealing Pan Pastels -No!

I applya coat of Krylon Matte before applying the Pan Pastels this gives some "tooth" for the PP to grip. I have little trouble with it rubbing off but it is simple to do a quick touch up job.

Ifi have to handle the car a lot such as doing maintenance I wear latex gloves. Before an session I try to wash my hands to get the oil off.

This boxcar was done pretty much with only Pan Pastels just the wheels and couplers were painted