Xtracrylix Matt Varnish

[speedy]

As a new airbrushian, my confidence is growing with every kit. I normaly use Humbrol Matt Aerosol. So tonight mathew i will be airbrushing the Xtracrylic matt stuff. It says to dilute by 15%, anything else i should know?

[keefr22]

As a new airbrushian, my confidence is growing with every kit. I normaly use Humbrol Matt Aerosol. So tonight mathew i will be airbrushing the Xtracrylic matt stuff. It says to dilute by 15%, anything else i should know?

Not really advice, but the only thing I've found with it is that it doesn't dry totally matt. More of an 'eggshell' like sheen to it - fine if that's the finish you want, but if you want totally flat then I find Humbrol mattcote still the best I've used. I've tried the xtracrylic at various consistencies down to a 50/50 mix with water, & always got the same result.

Keef

[Andy Mullen]

I have tried airbrushing with both distilled water and Tamiya thinners X-20A and found the Tamiya thinners to mix and flow better than the water. I have even tried heating the water and found this improves airbrushing but not as much as using the Tamiya thinners.

HTH

[dswoofie]

As long as it's laid down in thin coats it'll dry completely matt. I find that I thin it about 50:50 so that it's a nice thinned mix, and then really lightly spray it on in very fine coats... If you lay it too thick, you will find that it may dry with a sheen to it, so be careful.

Karl.

[Mike]

As long as it's laid down in thin coats it'll dry completely matt. I find that I thin it about 50:50 so that it's a nice thinned mix, and then really lightly spray it on in very fine coats... If you lay it too thick, you will find that it may dry with a sheen to it, so be careful.

Karl.

What he said. I use xtracrylix thinner but I also add a few drops of flow aid to the mix. I find it a lovely matt finish & very easy to work with.

[keefr22]

As long as it's laid down in thin coats it'll dry completely matt. I find that I thin it about 50:50 so that it's a nice thinned mix, and then really lightly spray it on in very fine coats... If you lay it too thick, you will find that it may dry with a sheen to it, so be careful.

Karl.

Must be me then - I did suspect as much!! That's exactly how I spray it though. Tried two different bottles too, still got a sheen. Perhaps I gave up too easily as I only tried one model from each bottle! Do you thin with water Karl, & if so tap or distilled? Will have to give it another go....

Cheers

keef

[MikeC]

Same as the other Mike says, use Xtracrylix own-brand thinner and some retarder. I couldn't tell you what ratio I use, just "nice and thin".

[Red Dragon]

If the finish is not matt enough, you could try adding a couple of drops of Tamiya "Flat Base", good stuff if using acrylic Paint/Varnish, adjust the finish down to dead matt.

Phil

As a new airbrushian, my confidence is growing with every kit. I normaly use Humbrol Matt Aerosol. So tonight mathew i will be airbrushing the Xtracrylic matt stuff. It says to dilute by 15%, anything else i should know?

[keefr22]

If the finish is not matt enough, you could try adding a couple of drops of Tamiya "Flat Base", good stuff if using acrylic Paint/Varnish, adjust the finish down to dead matt.

Phil

trouble with that stuff is I always add too much & get a nice winter whitewash finish....!!!

Edited July 7, 2008 by keefr22

[dswoofie]

Must be me then - I did suspect as much!! That's exactly how I spray it though. Tried two different bottles too, still got a sheen. Perhaps I gave up too easily as I only tried one model from each bottle! Do you thin with water Karl, & if so tap or distilled? Will have to give it another go....

Cheers

keef

Yeah, I usually just use tap water (although we are in a good soft water area) and a little bit of flow enhancer. All my stuff that is matted is done with the xtracrylix varnish. Give it another go and see what you get!

Karl.