Foggy matt varnish

[Guest]

Hello all,

I used humbrol matt varnish on Humbrol enamels and got an awful fog all over 2 models. Amazingly the part sapyed on Hunbrol 30/dark green) came out perfect, the one on 91(black-green), yes they were ww2 luftwaffe models, and 32 (black) got out a mess. What went wrong and how can I corredt it?

TIA

pfpt

[yak face]

hi and welcome to the forum, sometimes the humbrol matt varnish can be a little cloudy, did you thin it enough? also when i have used humbrol matt cote in the past ive noticed it gets thicker and cloudier the colder it is, i used to have to put it in front of the fire for a bit before using it ,that usually made it a lot more runny and clear, so maybe its the cold weather if youre spraying in a cold place. hope this helps cheers tony

[Guest]

What Tony says is good advice, in fact I warm up all my paint & varnish before using them, especially at this time of year! I had the same problem with my first use of matt varnish. I found that wetting the models surface with water took away the white 'bloom' so then I sprayed it with Johnsons Klear. This completely removed the whiteness, so I then tried again with the matt coat, giving it 3 thin, light coats. It worked for me but I can't promise anything but it's worth a try. Good luck Patrick

[Guest]

it's useful that this issue of varnish was mentioned. I was contemplating buying some Humbrol varnish. My dad's got some Klear in the post to me so i'll put that through my airbrush. I bought Revell varnish but that stuff is too thick even for a paintbrush. I tried thinning it and have some weird chemical reaction going on; thought the kitchen might burn down. I've got another set the Vallejo liquid varnish. It goes through the airbrush but not as well as i hoped. Also had problems thinning it down. Besides, the airbrush requires a thorough scrubbing afterwards.

I'm still finding varnish a right pain on the backside; especially trying to find the right one.

Paul

[stona]

Hi Paul,varnishes are a hot topic at the moment. I use the Vallejo model air stuff as I've explained in some other thread. Seems to spray OK. The advices above are all good,can't emphasise enough the need to stir and stir again. You've got to get the matting agent thoroughly mixed in.

You mentioned spraying Klear. Of course it's entirely up to you how you apply it but I find brushing it on with a good wide,soft brush works really well. Don't be too vigorous or you'll get little bubbles and don't apply too much or you'll get pools. It's easy to rectify any problems but always best to avoid them! A little goes a very long way. Don't worry about brush marks as it self levels beautifully. Anything to avoid cleaning an airbrush! If you've not used it before prepare to be well chuffed.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Yep totaly agree with Stona (Steve) All my builds (triumphs) are brush painted with Humbrols matt from the small tin after a Very Very good stir

Peter

[Guest]

Worst thing with any matt varnish is not stirrin it enough, then it either goes cloudy, doesn't dry, or doesn't turn matt (or all three). Also warming it up is good advice. I use humbrol and Xtracolor matt varnish and use white spirit to thin. I spray it thinned at a ratio of 2 parts paint to 1 part thinners and it works pretty well IMHO.

HTH

Stuart