Varnishing with a brush

[Guest]

Ive just started brush painting my 1/24 spitfire and its been a long time since I did any modelling.

After I've got the paint on is it best to gloss varnish before the decals then matt coat over the top?

Using acrylic paints and have humbrol acrylic varnish spray cans at the ready.

Thanks for any tips

Andy

[Alan 45]

Yes it is best to gloss them first also use a decal solution before you aply the decal and after, this forces the air out from under the decal and stops silvering

Oh and welcome to the forum

[Guest]

If you can get it Humbrol Clear, which is a newish product, is a great varnish both brush and airbrush.

Look at recent posts there is an article about this product. Just look for the title Humbrol Clear.

Laurie

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips and welcome ....I've got some decalfix ready too.

I remember last time I used it it left a glossy sheen where it ran....hopefully that won't happen this time if I gloss coat it first.....should have said its humbrol acrylic varnish spray cans

[Guest]

Hi Andy and welcome to the forum. The thing with acrylics is that they dry so quickly it makes brush painting a bit of a challenge on large areas such as the Spitfire. You have described it spot on, the gloss will help the transfer to settle to the surface and then the matt coat over the top will even the surface texture across the painted and the transfer surface. Using softening and setting solution should help and you should end up with a transfer that looks like it is painted on.

[Guest]

Many thanks.

One day I might try using an airbrush but its a bit of an outlay until I'm happy with what I've done so far.

[Guest]

If you can get an airbrush when possible it does widen the horizons. But with all involved it is the biggest outlay in model making.

If you go, by the way, to your profile, you can put in your Christian name as every one uses theirs on here. Hope you like it here as there is a wealth of info.

Laurie

[Guest]

Thanks Laurie.... Think I've corrected that now....

[BarryW]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forum....

I second about the airbrush and, yes, it is quite an outlay but it is well worth it and you can get some great effects on a model with one. In fact once you get the hang of an airbrush you really will be hooked!!!!

You can get a cheap airbrush/compressor kit on-line for under £100 as a starter. I do suggest that you make sure the airbrush is a gravity feed dual action type though as these are much more practical for models.

There is a lot of advice and help on this forum for kit building whether you are using a brush or airbrush.

Have fun.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips much appreciated.

I've finally finished my 1:24 spitfire now. It's the 4th model I've made.

It's by no means perfect but I'm pleased with it.

I think I may have overdone the gloss varnish in places as the decals have rotted in places. ..

[The Migrant]

Nice job Andy, not an easy kit to build but it looks most convincing. Can I suggest that you also paint the canopy frame? It'll need a steady hand and a fine brush but it will dramatically improve the look.

[Guest]

Ah right yes...I did that on my previous one...a dambusters model. I couldn't really see any definite paint lines on the spitfire....I'll hunt google for some pics and get that done [emoji4]

[Guest]

That looks great Andy

[ojays]

Definitely looks good to me too!

Gregg

[Guest]

Nice job Andy. Agree on the canopy needs the frame painting on as it makes for good detailing.

Laurie