Another qestion about varnish + washes. ......new to this sorry

[Guest]

Many thanks to the gents who replied to my question about Mig washes, etc.

I have another couple of questions please.

While I bought my new airbrush 3 weeks ago, I was talking about Tamiya varnish etc.

But I was only listening about the air brush and not about the varnish.

1. I bought Tamiya X21 Flat Base and Tamiya X22 clear.............what are these???? Varnish??

How do you go about using these please? I want a dull type varnish not shinny.

I be airbrushing the varnish.

What do I use to clean it, and do I have to thin it???

2. Mig or promodeller washes, what is the best or are they near enough the same?

Give me another couple of day, no doubt have more questions.

Many thanks

Garry

[stona]

I can't answer your Tamiya question but as far as washes go I don't think there is much in it. I use Pro-modeller but I've not heard a bad thing about the Mig washes. Personal preference I guess.

I use The Vallejo varnishes (Matt and Satin) and have never had any problem with them.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Flat base is an additive, it's mixed with X22 clear to make a semi-gloss, Satin or Matte varnish.

Do not use on it's own, you'll coat your model in a chalky residue.

Addition, thought i'd add a wee bit more info.

I had a pig of job finding out about Tamiya satin and matte varnish, (because of course there isn't one), X22 is clear gloss, I too like many thought flat base was a matte varnish and as the bottle doesn't really help with info I found out via google through lots of link clicking.

The flat base i've found works quite well in the following ratios

10% to clear = Semi gloss

20% to clear = Satin

30% to clear = dead Flat

Any more seems to give a whitish overcast, though i've not tried it you can also use the flat base with the gloss paints, X denotes gloss, XF denotes matte.

In theory you can use it with any acrylic gloss but again I don't know.

In this case I'd say definitely don't eyeball the ratios, get a calibrated dropper or a baby med syringe and mix the quantities exactly, it hepls to have a spare container or two so you can mix enough and store the unused stuff as obviously you can't put it back in the gloss bottle.

hope this is helpful

[AlanG]

How much of a mix would you make it Mike?

[Guest]

How much of a mix would you make it Mike?

Just edited my post Allyne with the ratios i use,

Ooh yeah, mix it very well too, especially if you're doing a dead flat.

One more snippet of useful info, it mixes well with Klear in the same ratios with the same results and has the handy effect of thickening it for spraying better.

[AlanG]

Depending on how 'flat' you want your finish Winsor & Newton Matt Varnish is supposed to be the best. Although it is supposed to be the last thing you apply because it can be removed with water. But from the pics i've seen with people using it, it gives a really flat finish. They also to a satin finish

oh and cheers Mike

[Guest]

Hi

Many thanks for your info, now I know what to use.

Cheers

Garry