TheBaron Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Afternoon all. Seeking the collective wisdom of the forum regarding what Matt varnish people have found most reliable for the final top coat. I'd be airbrushing it on after using Tamiya acrylic paints, gloss coat of Pledge/Klear, decals and oil wash, so something that won't cause any reaction with these. Also, what ratio of thinner to varnish is appropriate to use with airbrushing generally? I know there's a lot of of varnishes out there but as a recent returnee to modelling after over three decades I'm a bit confused by all the potential choices. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 I use Humbrol Matt from the bottle. It does get gunky in the bottom of the bottle though. Been using it for years. I've had my current bottle for 5 years now. I thin mine with good quality white spirit and it sprays flawlessly every time. Other varnishes are available however. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 I use Humbrol Matt from the bottle. It does get gunky in the bottom of the bottle though. Been using it for years. I've had my current bottle for 5 years now. I thin mine with good quality white spirit and it sprays flawlessly every time. Other varnishes are available however.Thanks for your reply Darby, I'll give the Humbrol a bash. Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viscount806x Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Daler-Rowney Cryla artists varnish. Available at high street shops at high street prices. Very similar to Humbrol in that it needs mixing well as the matting agent settles out at the bottom. Part mixing gives a nice satin sheen too. Not water soluble though. You'll need turps or white spirit to thin it and clean up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Alclad Matt varnish, best stuff I've ever used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Thanks for all the info lads. I might have to work my way through all of these over the next few builds. That's what's nice about this forum, the sudden proliferation of choices you're faced with on the next buying trip... Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogTeeth Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I'm pretty new to modeling but I use Windsor and Newton Matt finish. I think it's water based and goes on by stick brush or air brush. The Matt finish is awesome. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Another vote for W&N Galleria acrylic varnishes. The Matt is very matt but I like it, thinned with water 50/50 and sprayed at 15psi for me. Oh, and it's good value! Check your local art suppliers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenko Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 (edited) Humbrol Matt coat.......................... does what it says on the bottle Does a certain amount of self levelling. Use fine mist coats when airbrushing ...thin well. It's idiot proof Edited May 1, 2016 by jenko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I use W&N Galleria range for all my top coat needs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Humbrol Matt coat.......................... does what it says on the bottle Does a certain amount of self levelling. Use fine mist coats when airbrushing ...thin well. It's idiot proof What ratio of thinner to Matt coat would you recommend Jenko? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenko Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 What ratio of thinner to Matt coat would you recommend Jenko? I know this might sound a bit daft....but..... I just put some white spirit in until it fills the bottle up near to the top ....shake very well and as long as it looks the consistency of milk ...I'm ready to go. I usually have a bottle that is thinned and keep topping up with new varnish and white spirit when needed. I go with the flow ....sorry not meant as a pun It's something you just get a feeling for. Dick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) I know this might sound a bit daft....but..... I just put some white spirit in until it fills the bottle up near to the top ....shake very well and as long as it looks the consistency of milk ...I'm ready to go. I usually have a bottle that is thinned and keep topping up with new varnish and white spirit when needed. I go with the flow ....sorry not meant as a pun It's something you just get a feeling for. Dick Cheers Dick. Your mixing process matches my own methodology in such things so no apologies necessary Fascinating how often we refer to food analogies, my own approach to mixing panel washes with oil paint is that it's good to go when it's the colour and consistency of black coffee... Thanks again, Tony. Edited May 2, 2016 by TheBaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 The mattest matt varnish I use is Testors Dullcote lacquer. I thin it 50/50 with Mr Color Thinner. It can turn Alclad Chrome into dull weathered Russian aluminium! Over a satin or matt finish, it practically sucks the light in. Otherwise I'm happy with plain old Xtracrylix matt varnish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brown Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 W&N Galeria all the way for me! Rick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFoolio Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 I use Humbrol Matt from the bottle. It does get gunky in the bottom of the bottle though. Been using it for years. I've had my current bottle for 5 years now. I thin mine with good quality white spirit and it sprays flawlessly every time. Other varnishes are available however. Is that Humbrol Matt Cote? I'm looking for something to brush on after primer, Vallejo acrylic, Humbrol Clear and Humbrol wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Alclad varnishes all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 If want to use a rattle can, Citadel Purity Seal every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artie Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Gunze Sangyo Flat Clear....works fine for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadgaddad Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 I can also recommend Humbrol Matt Cote but I'm almost at the bottom of the jar so these suggestions are really useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin56 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Vallejo acrylic matt varnish for spraying and for a brush touch up I second Alan's recommendation of Testor's Dullcote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumblestripe Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 I went through several options until I discovered W&N Acrylic Matt, a quick shake of the bottle to mix (there is no thick gunk to try to dissolve) it has a milky colouration and consistency and goes on so smoothly with a brush I've never bothered to airbrush it! Oh and it is superb value for money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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