Matt Varnish ?

LGB-Sid

LGB-Sid

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For Buildings I was sealing them with Plasti-Kote Spray Matt acrylic, which was the most smelliest paint I have ever used, dries quick and dries fairly Matt, the last tin I bought same label, bar code, etc. is totally different smells like varnish and takes a lot longer to dry and probably is not as Matt looking so I have gone of Plasti-Kote.

Looking for what to buy to seal re-sprayed Wagons/ engines ? what have others tried that dry's Matt ? prefer rattle can to get a smooth even finish , don't own airbrush.
 
LGB-Sid said:
For Buildings I was sealing them with Plasti-Kote Spray Matt acrylic, which was the most smelliest paint I have ever used, dries quick and dries fairly Matt, the last tin I bought same label, bar code, etc. is totally different smells like varnish and takes a lot longer to dry and probably is not as Matt looking so I have gone of Plasti-Kote.

Looking for what to buy to seal re-sprayed Wagons/ engines ? what have others tried that dry's Matt ? prefer rattle can to get a smooth even finish , don't own airbrush.
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Hi Sid. Take a look at my Orient Express Rolling stock thread for some results with a matt finish over plasti-kote gloss. I used Humbrol matt acrylic lacquer which gives a very even finish.
Mike.
 
I am reminded of the story of the worker in a paint factory who fell into a vat of varnish and drowned. He had a dreadful end... but a beautiful finish...

David
 
LGB-Sid said:
Thanks I'll try the Humbrol Matt I think , I'm a meanie and the Testers is a bit pricey :)
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It's a PITA - it's OK when the can is full, but as you get towards the end, there's a danger, nay likelihood, that the propellant leaves the varnish white and milky when it dries.

Why is this loco so heavily weathered?

Because I made a pig's breakfast of the matt varnish

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RockApeMark said:
Can't go wrong with Testors Dull Cote.
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I quite agree - which is why I was eager to recommend it, although normally quiet on here!
The can delivers varnish cleanly to the very last drop, spreads nicely and I've never experienced the milky problems associated with lesser products.
It's top quality stuff and probably the old story of getting what you pay for...
 
Humbrol matt acrylic lacquer came yesterday so gave my first re-painted wagon a coat, No milky finish or problems, it was a warm day, no wind and the wagon and can were warm before spraying. I am not saying it's better or worse than other makes it's just a cost thing to give a single wagon a coat or two it's a cost effective lacquer, also tried it on some of my re-painted figures, 150mil can seems small but will see how far it go's.
 
Hi Everyone,
try The Paint Factory
They do a good matt spray finish. I don't
call it varnish , because to my way of thinking,
varnish is very shiny. [Yachts and all that]
Any difficulties let me know or see us at Llanfair
Sparesman
 
I`m glad that it appears that I am not the only one that has trouble with Humbrol rattle matt varnish,milky even with new cans but also with the tinlets on matt and silk!,I thought at first it was a dirty brush but same problem with a new one:swear::swear:.
 
Riograndad said:
I`m glad that it appears that I am not the only one that has trouble with Humbrol rattle matt varnish,milky even with new cans but also with the tinlets on matt and silk!,I thought at first it was a dirty brush but same problem with a new one:swear::swear:.
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I think it's worth noting the weather and atmosphere. Right now in the UK, East Midlands it's humid. We've had a cool start to the day with lots of rain. now at 5pm temperatures have increased and the humidity here has rocketed. Unless you had access to a spray booth with a ventilation or atmosphere system you'd very likely have problems where I am today. Spraying outdoors or in a poorly insulated outbuilding with a window open you do run the risk of milky varnish (matt or gloss) on a day with even medium to low humidity. The same problem can occur in winter with cold humid weather.

When the weather is like this I use a paint on acrylic varnish. Using a nice flat brush you won't get brush marks, especially if you use a good brand of varnish like Vallejo.

Other factors to consider with spray varnish and clouding/milkiness is to give plenty of time between coats, if the first coat hasn't cured you can get a milky second.

Hairdryers or drying ovens can be used to clear clouding and milkiness but it's never guaranteed

Often you see people exclaim that "VarnishABC" or "GlossCote123" never gives them problems but it's more likely that those folk happen to live in the perfect weather environment for spray varnishing...
 
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Bit late to this but would like to add a vote for the Halford's version of matte varnish. Had consistent and good quality with all their spray paints on a variety of automotive and model projects. I used plasti-cote for a while but found it could be a bit hit and miss in teams of the quality of the finish.

They have good UV and heat resistance and a very wide range of colours. I think quite reasonably priced too (especially if you can wrangle yourself a trade card). Currently finishing a project in quite a bright colour that I hope to tone down with the matte top coat. I'll post a photo when I'm done :)
 
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