Oberleutnant Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi folks, I have just started airbrushing Tamiya acrylics which I find are really nice - especially for a beginner. However, I've found my normal Humbrol matt and clear coat rattle cans do not go with Tamiya acrylics - I'm guessing because Tamiya is not a true water based acrylic like Humbrol or Vallejo. I end up with a dull and messy finish. I've tried researching into Tamiya's clear and matt coat and people have been telling me conflicting messages such as what they offer is an admixture for paint and not a true clear or matt coat. Can somebody please tell me what matt and clear coat will work on Tamiya acrylics please and whether they need thinning for example to use with an airbrush? I'm getting rather desperate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I just use Mr. Color GX 112 for gloss (or 100 if you can't find the 112) and 113 for matt. They'll need some serious thinning for airbrush use (Mr. Leveling Thinner works great). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberleutnant Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 53 minutes ago, bmwh548 said: I just use Mr. Color GX 112 for gloss (or 100 if you can't find the 112) and 113 for matt. They'll need some serious thinning for airbrush use (Mr. Leveling Thinner works great). Thank you. Do you not use an airbrush with these products then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I just use Tamiya’s own clears X-35 (Semi Gloss) or XF-86 (Flat) mixed with their own Acrylic thinner. Seems to work for me and I quite like the smooth consistent finish if gives after applying two or three thin coats. I tend to use more thinner than clear and spray towards the late evening when humidity is at it’s lowest. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wongataa Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I use Tamiya gloss clear or flat clear and thin with their acrylic thinners just as I do for the regular paint when using my airbrush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckw Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 3 hours ago, Oberleutnant said: I end up with a dull and messy finish I use Humbrol matt cote quite a lot airbrushed (thinned at least 50/50 with white spirit) and have never had any problem with Tamiya/Mr Hobby/Xtracolor/Colorcoats acrylics or enamels. But I have never used rattlecans. I wonder if the spray from the rattlecans is too heavy/wet? More often now I use Future/Klear as I can better control the final finish by adding varying amounts of Tamiya matt base (X21). Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Oberleutnant said: Thank you. Do you not use an airbrush with these products then? I use them exclusively in the airbrush. Since they're lacquer, don't think you could hand paint them and get good results. I mix them until they're almost watery. Thin coats, build it up (especially on the flat so the flattening agent doesn't pool up in crevices). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bowcat Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I've been using Winsor & Newton Galeria varnishes for a while now, both gloss and matt (which can be mixed for satin). They spray straight from the bottle and work perfectly well with Tamiya paints. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberleutnant Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Thank you gentleman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Tamiya's "acrylics" are alcohol-based acrylic enamels. If you're using Humbrol's varnish in rattle cans, it may be too "hot" for the Tamiya paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieNZ Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Tamiya X22 is gloss clear, and XF86 is matt. Just thin and spray as per normal. I prefer Windsor and Newton Galeria Matt varnish now, thinned 50/50 with IPA, but Tamiya clears are just as straight forward as using any of their other paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidrebolton Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 On 28/02/2020 at 06:07, CharlieNZ said: I prefer Windsor and Newton Galeria Matt varnish now, thinned 50/50 with IPA, but Tamiya clears are just as straight forward as using any of their other paint. I read many people thin this with water, though many also use IPA. I'm confused as to which to try first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieNZ Posted May 22, 2021 Share Posted May 22, 2021 IPA tends to make it more matt, water slightly less so. Just try both and see what you prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steben Posted May 22, 2021 Share Posted May 22, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, CharlieNZ said: IPA tends to make it more matt, water slightly less so. Just try both and see what you prefer. Speed has influence. The faster it dries, the more it will get matt. Water dries slower. Most oil paints are simply glossy. And they dry almost as long as the total modelling process. Matt paint simply need a brush of the finger to get semi gloss. I used to do this all the time on helmets. That's why (certainly the old days) matt paint hardly lasted on all places of a tank. Rubbing and scuffing (handles, edges, ...) renders many parts at least semi gloss. Natural polishing. Edited May 22, 2021 by Steben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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