Too Much Varnish

[Gunslinger]

So... I\'ve been building a few GW Marine units. In the process of Matte Varnishing, I seem to have applied a bit too much to some of the minis (hey, I did the two thin coats thing!), leaving them with this whitish film that dulls the color and looks tacky. Does anyone know a way to get the excess varnish off the fig without destroying the paint job beneath it (I was kinda pleased wiyth how the painting worked out, and would hate to lose it)
Thx.

 

[Errex]

Matte Varnish Foul Up

Sometimes, another layer of gloss varnish over the whited out area seems to aleviate the effect, since the solvent in the spray somehow liquefies the particles of spray that give the chalkish look.

I suppose that a careful brush stroke with regular paint thinner might also work, just leave it to dry between strokes to assess how it goes; it may leave an area of the mini with a glossier finish, though (you\'ll just have to re-seal the thing in matte to get a uniform look).

The white-out effect is quite common when using new cans of spray, and it also comes to be when certain weather conditions are met (low temperature, high humidity), and also depending of the distance at wich you spray. I only seal my minis about noon, using thin coats and under direct sunlight. So far, I\'d only had to paint strip about 4 out of 60 (and then again, only because I am an obssessive compulsive freak, so, I guess I\'m not that far off target.)

Hope it helps.

 

[Aschul]

...and in the future, avoid using that crappy GW matte varnish and you shouldn\'t have the problem at all.

 

[Miracle]

And what would you recommend instead?

 

[Chrispy]

Vallejo Paint On sealers, of course! They have them in Matte, Satin and Gloss so you can choose what you want. And if you must spray them, use an airbrush sine they\'re the consistancy of water..

 

[Aschul]

I use Testors Dullcote and I\'ve never had a problem with it. Very nice, very flat finish and fairly durable. Doesn\'t matter how many coats I spray or what the weather is like either. Only caveats are it\'s very expensive and has a very strong odour. I\'ve had bad experiences with brush-on varnishes and avoid them.

 

[ultramichael]

Originally posted by Chrispy
Vallejo Paint On sealers, of course! They have them in Matte, Satin and Gloss so you can choose what you want. And if you must spray them, use an airbrush sine they\'re the consistancy of water..

can Vallejo sealers be thinned with water?

 

[finn17]

The only problemo is...

Originally posted by Aschul
I use Testors Dullcote and I\'ve never had a problem with it.

It\'s as rare as rocking horse sh1t in the UK and the rest of Europe I gather

 

[bakalla]

Originally posted by finn17

Originally posted by Aschul
I use Testors Dullcote and I\'ve never had a problem with it.

It\'s as rare as rocking horse sh1t in the UK and the rest of Europe I gather

I\'m wondering where to get a good non-GW matte spray in Europe too! I haven\'t been able to find Testor\'s anywhere.. are there any other good alternatives?!

 

[frenchkid]

Originally posted by Chrispy
Vallejo Paint On sealers, of course! They have them in Matte, Satin and Gloss so you can choose what you want. And if you must spray them, use an airbrush sine they\'re the consistancy of water..

Just wondering... what\'s the difference between satin and gloss varnish ??? Is satin a totally diffrent effect or is it just a less shiny gloss. ( or more shiny matte ).

 

[Trevor]

@ Bakalla: Humbrol matt is very good.

@ Frenchkid: Yes satin is midway between gloss and matt.

I\'ve just had an idea, maybe a satin varnish would be better than a gloss as an undercoat, it might protect as well as gloss, but allow the matt overcoat to stay really matt.