Microscale Micro Flat.

[JayCee]

Hi, I don't know if any of you good folks use this brand of varnish, but I have just had a major poo-poo with it. I have used it on and off for over 10 years. It is not a truly matt finish but more of a semi-matt. I had painted some parts with Vallejo prior to assembly. They had been stood for 3 or 4 days, so the paint should have been well and truly dry . I wanted a fairly matt finish so thought I would give this another try. The parts were reasonably small so I brushed this on. As the brush passed over the part it just removed all the paint !! I have no idea how or why this happened but thought I would share it to possibly save someone else grief.
This is the culprit.


Needless to say I am not using any more !
John.

[Tim Marlow]

That’s really strange John. I’ve not used it, but I’m pretty sure it’s water based so shouldn’t re dissolve any under layer? What substrate was the Vallejo painted on to? I’m wondering if the paint layer was the issue rather than the varnish?
The semi matt appearance after use is pretty common though.

[JayCee]

Tim, I have no idea what caused it. As I said I have used it on and off for years with no problems. These pieces had 3or 4 coats of paint on, base coat, shading, highlights. The Micro Flat just cut straight through the whole lot. The items are White Metal so maybe that has something to do with it. Who knows ?
John.

[Dave Ward]

John,
how old is your bottle of Flat? Recently, I've had an inexplicable paint failure, and eventually come to the conclusion it was the topcoat paint that had gone off.....................
Dave

[JayCee]

Dave, the Flat is probably 10 years old, but it is a new unopened bottle that has been kept in a dark cupboard. The paints are considerably newer.
John.

[eddiesolo]

Culprits for this type of issue are old primer, paints and varnish. I have problems with old paint, although I mixed it thoroughly, or so I thought, it looked fine, went on fine yet the seal coat crazed.

Also, could be temperature can cause issues between top coat and seal coat.

[Tim Marlow]

Did you thoroughly wash the white metal? I find some white metal figures to be extremely dirty, and you could have surface contamination that has impacted on paint adhere? I usually scrub mine with washing up liquid and an old toothbrush….then rinse thoroughly to get rid of residual washing up liquid.

[JayCee]

Yes Tim. Washing up liquid and a toothbrush, then a good rinse.
John.

[Tim Marlow]

That’s just weird then…..perhaps they should rebrand it as paint stripper? I’ve never used it….and now I never will. Thanks for the heads-up John.

[JayCee]

It worked better than paint stripper ! Just glad to let people know. Nothing worse than getting to the last leg then failing :angry:.
John.

[Guest]

Thanks for the warning John .
Are you going to bother contacting them, or is it just a waste of time knowing what their answer will be blaming the paint ?

[JayCee]

A waste of time I guess, John.
John.