larger bottles of varnish, where to get?

[pjgtech]

So I've already gone through my first little bottles of (Tamiya) gloss and matt varnish, and have just bought two new little bottles, but I can see this is going to be expensive, so is there a more cost effective way to buy gloss/matt varnish?

I am assuming buying larger bottles would be cheaper, I don't want to by it a gallon at a time! but certainly larger than the 10ml small bottles.

So can anyone recommend where to buy from and what to buy, (bearing in mind I am brush painting only at the moment)?
I assume that the gloss/matt varnish we use does not go "off" or have short expiry dates?

[PaulTRose]

I use rattle cans for both matt and gloss.....easier than getting the AB out and better finish than a hairy stick

However.....i also use humbrol clear which is an acrylic varnish which i brush on ready for decals or a wash.......its the same stuff alledgedly as the old johnsons kleer floor polish that every one used years ago

[pjgtech]

Do the spray cans not smell, need extra ventilation and do they "clog up"? cheers

[Tim Marlow]

I too use Kleer, and have also used Humbrol clear. Both are good for a gloss finish. it’s a good gloss varnish when brushed or sprayed. However, for a matt I use two types. Tamiya diluted with Mr Levelling thinners for spraying and Daler Rowney matt varnish for brushing. This latter comes in a biggish bottle……..75 ml up to 300ml if required, but it’s not cheap. The 75mL bottle goes a long way though…..and it’s very similar to the very reliable Humbrol Mattcote but a lot cheaper…..

[pjgtech]

Cheers for the info....Just found the daler rowney in 75ml bottles, between £8-£10, so still much cheaper than £2.99 for a little 10ml tamiya bottle x 7!

[Tim Marlow]

Cheers for the info....Just found the daler rowney in 75ml bottles, between £8-£10, so still much cheaper than £2.99 for a little 10ml tamiya bottle x 7!

Yep, for the price of 75mL of Tamiya you can get a 300ml bottle of DR……I’d go with the smaller bottles though because it can thicken a bit with age. Clean brushes with white spirit, by the way…..

[Andy T]

So I've already gone through my first little bottles of (Tamiya) gloss and matt varnish, and have just bought two new little bottles,

I see from your post in latest acquisitions that you have the Tamiya lacquer varnishes. How the heck are you managing to brush paint with those? Way beyond my capabilities!

[pjgtech]

Erm, dunno, just using a brush, Lol. Are they not very good for brush painting then?

[Andy T]

As a rule lacquers are terrible for brushing, but if you are managing it, then fair play to you ?

Whenever I've tried they just strip the paint underneath because they are so strong.