Is it just me...

[Guest]

...but is Vallejo Matt varnish meant to be so incredibly milky? I shook seven shades out of it, and took the top off to make sure the matting agent hadn't all settled to the bottom, but even with the lightest misting coat, I could see the colour underneath slowly disappearing! I certainly wouldn't dare to use it as a Matt varnish, or am I missing something?

[papa 695]

I use it all the time John it is milky but I find it works for me

[Ian M]

If you are in any doubt John you can test it out first on a test card...but yes it a bit cloudy when you pour it out it does though dry clear, the gloss one is even funkier. Milky white in the pot, a good wet coat on a model and its violet. It still dries clear though, so that's fine by me!

Ian M

[spanner570]

Works fine with me too - and I brush paint only!

[Alan 45]

I had a similar problem with humbrol I found out afterwards that the colour returned when I put a coat of gloss varnish over it

This was humbrol though so I couldn't say for sertain it will work on Vallejo

[yak face]

Like you Ive had mixed results with the Vallejo Matt John. It never seemed to mix thoroughly no matter how much i stirred it (even with a motorised stirrer) , leaving tiny white bits of the matting agent which all too easily cause spatter when airbrushing and leave white specks on the model, I now use Winsor and Newton Galeria Acrylic Matt varnish , it works better for me and is probably the same price if not cheaper than the Vallejo, Im sure being an artist youll know where to get it from ! cheers tony

[Guest]

Oh my, I'd completely forgotten about that stuff, well, in this context anyway! You genius, I used to use tons of that stuff, and it was as predictable as you'd ever want. I'll persist with experimenting with the Vallejo, and think it might be good for tilted varnishes, but I'm going straight back to an old friend. Have a virtual beer!

[Guest]

John it is the best matt about. If you think that Vallejo matt paint is matt then give it a coat of Vallejo Matt Varnish. Then that is a matt finish matt as matt can be.

Do not worry about the foggy look John it is the dryers in the varnish and they disappear.

Laurie

[Guest]

Well, I'll continue to explore its possibilities Laurie, but that Winsor & Newton is a varnish I'm very familiar with (how did I forget about this??) and at under £7 for 125 ml, is seriously cheaper! As an aside, I am loving the H&S ultra, I really feel in control with this bad-boy

[Guest]

Well, I'll continue to explore its possibilities Laurie, but that Winsor & Newton is a varnish I'm very familiar with (how did I forget about this??) and at under £7 for 125 ml, is seriously cheaper! As an aside, I am loving the H&S ultra, I really feel in control with this bad-boy

Not sure if the W & N is quick drying like the Vallejo John.

Having just meandered into the weathering game using Vallejo Matt varnish has, from what I can see, good properties using the pigment powders. Dries quickly which enables more coats to be applied with out all the waiting around.

Great news on the Airbrushing scene. Opens up many avenues.

Laurie

[Guest]

Not sure if the W & N is quick drying like the Vallejo John.

Nope, and to be honest, that's a plus for me, when talking about final coats, less chance of drying before it hits the surface - this will be handy in the summer, when acrylics become a bit of a 'mare - and levelling properties are better. was thinking about the Vallejo now as an extender, or glazing medium, i.e. it increases transparency of a colour whilst maintaining its physical properties.

I'm also guessing that my final varnish coats will have a dash of satin mixed in, used to use this for varnishing paintings, and think it'l look perfect for aircraft (yes, am building one next,!).

[Dave W]

When I first used Vallejo matt varnish a few years ago I thought it was brilliant stuff.Worked perfectly every time.But the last few bottles I've had have given me the problem you are talking about.ive even decanted the whole bottle into a plastic shot glass and mixed it thoroughly.Didnt make any difference.Maybe my bottles were from a bad batch,but I won't use the stuff now.Ive bought some Alclad matt clear and it's great.A bit expensive,but better than ruining a model.

[Guest]

Nope, and to be honest, that's a plus for me, when talking about final coats, less chance of drying before it hits the surface - this will be handy in the summer, when acrylics become a bit of a 'mare - and levelling properties are better. was thinking about the Vallejo now as an extender, or glazing medium, i.e. it increases transparency of a colour whilst maintaining its physical properties.I'm also guessing that my final varnish coats will have a dash of satin mixed in, used to use this for varnishing paintings, and think it'l look perfect for aircraft (yes, am building one next,!).

Yes I use a lot of the Vallejo Glaze medium. Do not know why but the matt medium does not do the trick for me. Not had any problems with the varnish drying before it hits the surface. But it will look dry on the surface after 5 mins or so depending on the thickness applied.

Drying retarder, or air brush flow improver, not had to use yet and Jersey is much warmer than the UK. But also the humidity is high, approx 10% higher on average than the UK, so that makes a difference.

When I first used Vallejo matt varnish a few years ago I thought it was brilliant stuff.Worked perfectly every time.But the last few bottles I've had have given me the problem you are talking about.ive even decanted the whole bottle into a plastic shot glass and mixed it thoroughly.Didnt make any difference.Maybe my bottles were from a bad batch,but I won't use the stuff now.Ive bought some Alclad matt clear and it's great.A bit expensive,but better than ruining a model.

I wonder if your paint Dave has not well cured properly as unless it is you will get problems. Always leave at least 48 hours and usually longer. Have not had any problems in the 4 years I have been using the Vallejo varnishes except for the one previous to the new range which went gloopy.

Vallejo also market othere varnishes. A range which you can wash off with ammonia with out affecting the underneath paint system. Also a polyurethene range which are more resilient but I found take longer to dry.

Laurie

[Guest]

Should also have added.

It needs a really good shake. a thickish deposit around the inside of the top tands to accumulate. Nothing wrong with this provided a good shake mixes it with the reminder. If it is not shaken and mixed then you will get a thick first squirt into the airbrush.

If there is a problem with any of Vallejo Paints etc. email their customer care, which is first class, with the batch number and they will send a relacement.

Laurie

[Guest]

I have had white spots too, despite very vigorous shaking. Such shaking should have dispersed the white matting agent. The fact that white spots remain (and in my case they were much bigger than I would expect the matting agent particles to be) I guess that the particles clumped together sufficiently strongly to resist shaking. In that case more than shaking is needed but I can't think what. Perhaps a steel ball (John sells them) in the bottle might help to break them up.