To varnish or not to varnish ......

[Guest]

Hi all, further to my post on the aircraft thread, I have airbrushed my Skyraiders with Humbrol 11 Silver enamel. Once they are complete with decals etc should I be varnishing and if so: matt or satin? the best product?

Thanks.

M

[Ian M]

All though not 100% needed it is a good idea to give a finished build a clear coat of varnish to seal the decals down and to prevent damage to them and the surface due to handling.

Best done before the masking is removed from the canopy, I normally use a Vallejo satin varnish for aircraft, and matt for armour.

Gloss enamel paints are normally fine, but the decals are some times susceptible to finger prints (sweaty or greasy fingers).

It takes five mins and could save a build from being spoilt.

Ian M

[downscale model art]

try humbrol satin cote. get it on quick as it dries fast. if it seems gloopy in the bottle, thin it a bit with enamel thinner.

[Guest]

Have as look at my recent post at:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/tiny-white-spots-using-vallejo-semi-mat-varnish.24419/

where I report white spots when using Vallejo Satin Varnish (the same probably applies to their Matt Varnish).

[Guest]

try humbrol satin cote. get it on quick as it dries fast. if it seems gloopy in the bottle, thin it a bit with enamel thinner.

Have you ever had white spots using Humbrol Satin Coat?

[Guest]

I've had white spots, well, areas using Tamiya Matt in a can.

A friend of mine, more experienced, told me this can happen with Gunze too and can be fixed spraying some gloss on top once dried.

I

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice and will report back!