
Citadel paints are water-based and acrylic, so they can be revived when dried out. If the paint has a clay or putty-like consistency, it can be saved by adding a few drops of water or acrylic thinner and stirring. However, if the paint is completely dried and solid, it may not be salvageable. In that case, it is recommended to replace the paint with a new one or consider alternative brands that offer more paint for a lower price.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint Consistency | Clay or putty-like |
| Water | Add a few drops at a time |
| Stirring Tool | Matchstick or craft stick |
| Stirring | Stir vigorously |
| Thinning Medium | Add a few drops at a time |
| Replacement | Buy individual colours instead of a pre-made set |
| Agitators | Copper BBs |
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What You'll Learn

Test the paint's consistency with a matchstick
Before attempting to restore dried-out Citadel paints, it is important to test their consistency to determine if they can be revived. This preliminary step can save you time and frustration in the paint restoration process.
To test the paint's consistency, use a matchstick or a similar item, such as a popsicle stick. Gently poke the matchstick into the dried paint and observe its behaviour. If the paint has a clay-like or putty-like consistency and you are able to press the matchstick into it, it indicates that the paint can be revived. This suggests that the paint has not completely dried out and hardened, and there is still moisture within it that can be utilised.
On the other hand, if the paint is extremely hard and you cannot poke the matchstick into it at all, it is likely that the paint has passed the point of no return. In this case, the paint has probably turned into pure plastic, and adding water or thinning medium will not help restore it.
By performing this simple test with a matchstick, you can quickly assess the viability of restoring your Citadel paints and decide on the best course of action. If the paint passes the matchstick test, you can proceed to the next steps of restoration, which involve carefully adding water or thinning medium and stirring thoroughly.
Remember, it is always a good idea to start with a small amount of liquid and gradually add more as needed. This way, you can avoid accidentally adding too much liquid and ending up with a watery paint consistency. The restoration process may require a significant amount of stirring to achieve a smooth and workable paint consistency. With patience and careful adjustments, you may be able to successfully revive your dried-out Citadel paints and continue creating your miniature masterpieces.
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Add water or thinner carefully, drop by drop
If your Citadel paints have dried out, you can add water or thinner carefully, drop by drop, to revive them. This process will require a lot of stirring to achieve a workable consistency, so be prepared for this. It is important to add just a few drops at a time to avoid adding too much liquid, as this can ruin the consistency of your paint. Start with four drops of water or thinner and stir to see if you need to add more. If you do, add one or two drops at a time, stirring after each addition to check the consistency. You can also use a paintbrush to scrape the dried paint and mix it with water.
Before adding any liquid, test the dried paint with a matchstick or a similar item. Poke the paint to see if it has a clay-like or putty-like consistency. If it does, you will be able to save it. However, if you cannot poke into the paint at all, you will not be able to mix in the water or thinner, and it will be better to purchase a replacement.
When reviving dried Citadel paints, it is best to stir with a matchstick or craft stick instead of a paintbrush to avoid ruining the bristles. Once you have finished stirring and achieved the desired consistency, replace the lid of the paint tightly to prevent oxygen from getting in and drying the paint back up. You can use the paint immediately after stirring.
In addition to water, some people use 70% rubbing alcohol along with copper BBs as agitators to restore dried Citadel paints. First, shake the paint vigorously with the copper BBs, then add water to replace the evaporating alcohol.
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Stir the paint thoroughly
If your Citadel paints have dried out, you can attempt to revive them by adding a few drops of water or acrylic thinner and stirring thoroughly. It is important to add the water or thinner gradually and stir after each addition to avoid adding too much liquid and altering the consistency of the paint. Use a matchstick or craft stick to stir the paint, as using a paintbrush could ruin the bristles.
Stirring the paint thoroughly is a crucial step in the revival process. It ensures that the water or thinner is evenly distributed throughout the paint, allowing you to achieve a smooth and consistent texture. Take your time during this step, as it may require a significant amount of stirring to reach the desired consistency.
If the paint is only partially dried out, stirring it with a stiff paintbrush and a few dribbles of water can help restore its texture. However, if the paint has dried out completely and turned hard, it may not be possible to salvage it. In this case, the paint has likely turned into pure plastic, and no amount of stirring or adding liquid will restore it.
By stirring the paint thoroughly and assessing its consistency, you can determine if it is salvageable. If the paint has a clay-like or putty-like consistency after stirring, it can be saved. However, if it is too hard to poke with a matchstick, it may be better to replace it with a new pot of paint.
Overall, stirring the paint thoroughly is an essential step in reviving dried-out Citadel paints. It helps to incorporate the water or thinner evenly and allows you to assess the consistency and salvageability of the paint. With patience and careful stirring, you may be able to restore your dried-out Citadel paints to a usable state.
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Check the paint's consistency
Before attempting to restore dried-out Citadel paints, it is important to check their consistency to determine if they can be revived. If the paint is rock-solid, it cannot be saved and will have to be replaced.
To test the consistency, use a matchstick or a similar item to poke into the paint. If the paint is soft enough to be scooped out with the matchstick and has a clay-like or putty-like consistency, it can be revived by adding water. On the other hand, if the paint is too hard to scoop out, it is unlikely that water will mix properly with the paint, and it will be better to replace it.
Another way to describe the paint's consistency is to compare it to thick jello. If the paint has a similar consistency and cannot be picked up with a brush, it may need to be revived. However, if the paint is completely dried and solid, it cannot be saved.
It is important to note that adding too much water can ruin the paint's consistency. Therefore, it is recommended to add only a few drops of water at a time and stir the paint to check if more water is needed. This process requires patience and a lot of stirring to achieve the desired consistency.
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Seal the paint pot tightly
Sealing the paint pot tightly is the final step in restoring dried-out Citadel paints. Before sealing the pot, you must first revive the paint by adding a few drops of water or acrylic thinner to the dried paint and stirring it. You can use a matchstick or craft stick to stir the paint to avoid ruining your paintbrush.
Once you have achieved the desired consistency, it is important to seal the paint pot tightly to prevent oxygen from getting in and drying out the paint again. Make sure the lid is closed as tightly as possible.
If the paint has dried out completely and is solid, it may not be possible to revive it, and you may need to purchase new paint. However, if the paint has a clay-like or putty-like consistency, it can be revived with water or thinner.
By sealing the paint pot tightly after reviving the paint, you can prevent the paint from drying out again and ensure that it remains usable for future projects.
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Frequently asked questions
If the paint has a clay or putty-like consistency, it can be revived by adding water. However, if the paint is rock-solid, it cannot be saved.
Add a few drops of water or acrylic thinner to the paint and stir. Keep adding water drop by drop and stirring until you achieve the desired consistency.
Squish the lumps while stirring to help the water penetrate and change the consistency.
Use a matchstick or craft stick instead of a paintbrush to avoid ruining the bristles.










































