Raven Morpheus Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) Hello I'm in need of some recommendations for a good acrylic matt varnish that won't give my models a frosted look when I airbrush it on... Today I put down the final matt coat on my 1/48 Revellogram UH-1 Huey and it has frosted on me, I plan to remedy that by either doing another layer of Future (but then I'll need a decent matt varnish to use anyway) or by rubbing on a very very thin layer of olive oil (a trick I learnt from elsewhere on the web and have used before when the frosting occurs). It wasn't particularly humid in my part of the UK today so I can't put it down to humidity being the cause, which is widely acknowledged to be the case, so I suspect it's the varnish itself... I've had this happen on a few occasions now, and I've had it happen with Vallejo Model Air acrylic matt varnish (which is what I used today) and Humbrol rattle can matt varnish so I'm on the hunt for an alternative. Any suggestions/recommendations would be welcome? TIA Edited March 12, 2015 by Raven Morpheus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I use Winsor & Newton Galeria matt varnish. It is available in most art shops or on the internet. Dilute it with about 20% water and mist it on with a number of coats. It works perfectly and leaves a very smooth matt surface. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich G Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I second Enzo's suggestion, I've been using Winsor and Newton Galeria Matt Varnish and Satin Varnish, they are both excellent products, they airbrush really well, like Enzo says you can dilute it down with a bit of water and it leaves a nice smooth matt surface. It's not too expensive either. Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomore Shelfspace Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Xtracylic matt varnish from Hannant's. Comes in a fair size bottle - I dilute it with water and alcohol mix. Gives a slight sheen, not dead matt, but doesn't frost (I found Tamiya matt varnish frosts badly as well) and sprays nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodders154 Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I agree a big bottle (Winsor and Newton Galeria Matt Varnish) is if I remember about £4.50 or thereabouts at Hobbycraft Rodders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcclure Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I've used Revell's acrylic matt varnish very happily. Thinned down enough for the AB it's never failed me. Plus you can get it anywhere - all the remaining LMS seem to stock it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Galleria. I've airbrushed it (thinned with water and a drop or two of flow improver) and hairy sticked it and it's never let me down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyB Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Another vote for W&N Galeria matt varnish, best I've ever used. Bill... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I bought a bottle of Galeria matt after I saw it recommended on here and haven't regretted it. Great stuff. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Morpheus Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 (edited) OK thanks guys I'll give a small bottle of that Windsor and Newton stuff a go (I found a 75ml bottle on evilbay for about £5 inc. postage, couldn't find anything cheaper when I looked earlier). Edited March 13, 2015 by Raven Morpheus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I found a 75ml bottle on evilbay for about £5 inc. postage, couldn't find anything cheaper when I looked earlier). That seems a reasonable price. Check out any local art shops where you can get it a bit cheaper because you don't pay postage. That 75ml bottle will last you some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Morpheus Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) That seems a reasonable price. Check out any local art shops where you can get it a bit cheaper because you don't pay postage. That 75ml bottle will last you some time. Unfortunately my "local" art shop is 11 -16 miles away (depending on if I go East or South from the town I reside in), and as I don't drive that'll cost me at least £5 to get there!! Poxy UK public transport in North Essex! Anyhow I received today my 75ml bottle of W&N Galeria Matt Varnish and holy cow Batman!! I thinned it by roughly 20% as suggested by one of you guys in this thread and it sprayed beautifully and dried perfectly, no frosting, quick drying time and a nice matt finish. That stuff is fantastic! Many thanks for the recommendation guys. Edited March 17, 2015 by Raven Morpheus 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'm glad we could be of help! That's what Britmodeller is for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sroubos Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I like Vallejos matt acrylic. I thin it with kleer to get a satin or shiny finish or just water to keep it matt. Works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I have used Warhammer Purity Seal before - not sure how its viewed by others. Seems to give quite a good even finish if some paints don't all dry to the same finish. I also have some old formula Johnsons Klear - not sure which would be best really, or whether to go with the recommendations above - any views? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I don't own an airbrush so I'm restricted to rattle cans. I have experienced the same frosting problems with Humbrol Acrylic Matt Varnish but, it seems to depend on what I am spraying on to - as if there is a chemical reaction between the varnish and the paint on the model. However, I now use Vallejo water based acrylic matt varnish (not to be confused with Vallejo Model Air varnish.. Absolutely no problems with it. Comes in big 400ml cans too which last a long time. ALLAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Windsor and Newton Galeria, excellent for spraying and gives a very good matt effect on top of a gloss coat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Windsor and Newton Galeria, excellent for spraying and gives a very good matt effect on top of a gloss coatJust bought some but not used it yet. Do you thin it or use it 'neat'?Edit: Sorry, just read the thread again... Thin 20%, flow improver, got it, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hepster Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I use Tamiya Flat Base mixed with Klear in a 30:70 ratio. For satin or just more of a sheen, I add more Klear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepureness Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 i'm going to have to try some of this, anyone also got any gloss recommendations ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Alclad 2 lacquers Aqua gloss varnish 120ml, sprays and brushes great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben C Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Regards the W&N Galeria Matt Varnish, is this ok to use over the top of Klear? Don't want to apply my decals, varnish over and there's some horrid reaction! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Regards the W&N Galeria Matt Varnish, is this ok to use over the top of Klear? Don't want to apply my decals, varnish over and there's some horrid reaction! Yes this works fine, you can thin the W&N a little with normal acrylic thinners or water so it sprays better 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Regards the W&N Galeria Matt Varnish, is this ok to use over the top of Klear? That's the way I use it. Just dilute the Galeria slightly and spray in very thin coats. Yes this works fine, you can thin the W&N a little with normal acrylic thinners or water so it sprays better 'ere! I just said that! Edited November 20, 2015 by Enzo Matrix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepureness Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 XF-86 Tamiya Flat clear, just started using the stuff, check my beaufighter link below, used on that thinned 50/50 with tamiya X-20A thinner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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