What's gone wrong with my gloss varnishing?

[Tomathee]

It looked like this after I did three coats of Humbrol Clear gloss. I put it down to my priming and painting not being up to scratch, using a brush, first build etc. Left at least a day between coats, was going to just live with it as it will end up matt so hopefully would cover up a bit of the poor job

However after decalling and doing another two coats of clear it looks a fair bit worse.

Wanted to check here before I went with something that would make it worse. I guess options are limited to more coats and hope it levels it out a bit? or calling it a day and going with the matt varnish. Not sure how brave I'd be at sanding back a bit, and I don't want to risk wrecking decals or adding on weeks more work to this one. Either way, it would be useful to know so that I can avoid it next time, either with a different method or varnish if need be,

Many thanks

[Mike]

Looks quite lumpy, doesn't it? I'd take my life in my hands and try to flat it back after letting the gloss cure thoroughly, preferably in an airing cupboard or somewhere warm that isn't an oven I've seen something like it before where the gloss has reacted with the paint underneath and refused to bond well, instead pooling under its own surface tension into patches like you have there. You don't say what paint you used. That might give some clues.

You might find another gloss coat works better for you in future, and if you can manage to keep your impetus going and get firmly "bitten" by the modelling bug, you could justify getting an airbrush or ease your way into it with come clear gloss in a rattle can?

[Black Knight]

No question, strip it back to bare plastic and start again.

I think the gloss varnish was too thick to flow out smoothly. Nothing is going to smooth that out.

I'll put my stamps were my advice is.

Strip it right back, loose the decals. I believe [i know] I can let you have spare decals for this as long as its a 1/72 model.

Don't sand it, use a paint stripper.

Things like this happens to us all at sometime.

Bite the bullet and strip it.

[PhantomBigStu]

never had that before, but then again I never use humbrol clear, if you want a brushable clear varnish, revell aqua gloss is what I use as my one and only gloss coat choice

[Tomathee]

Thanks for replying

Mike - it was revell acrylic. I'm going to try rattle cans in future, got my halfords primer ready for the next one so at least I should have a better starting point.

Mr Knight - Your suggestion would give the best result but to be honest I don't really have the inclination to go that far to save this model. It was/is never going to be a masterpiece and the idea of extending the build by (at my pace) a few weeks isn't very appealing. I'm sure I'll cross paths with the need for paint stripper/oven cleaner in future and will refer back to your solution.

EDIT: also, it's 1:144, but thanks for the offer of decals

Stu - revell gloss might have worked better with revell paint, if rattle can varnish doesn't work out I'll have to see about matching brands in future.

I think I'll risk a light sanding and see if it's still finishable. Not sure what I can do about it being too thick, don't remember any mention of people thinning it. Might be a good chance to try a spray can.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Tomathee