discussion What do you think is the best varnish

[slupanter]

Hi all,
I have been buying up lots of varnishes
I have just tried AK satin (rattle can), Lucky Varnish and Alclad II Aqua Gloss.
AK rattle can was complete a disaster
Lucky is a bit hit and miss
Aqua gloss seems to be ok

What do you all find is the best?

 

[Guest]

I use lucky it is better than the ak.

 

[slupanter]

I use lucky it is better than the ak.

Can I be nosy and ask what AB needle size and PSI or bar you spray it at? I am using 0.5 at 1.2 bar and about misting.

 

[dave]

For a gloss varnish i like Humbrol Clear Gloss, which sprays well.

For Satin and Matt finishes i use the spray cans of Winsor and Newton Galeria Professional Varnishes.

 

[Guest]

Needle is 3.5 and about 20 psi. It is mush easier to clean the airbrush too.

 

[scottie3158]

I'm the same as Dave, the Galeria matt is very good it sprays and brushed well and gives a very flat finish.

 

[slupanter]

I'm the same as Dave, the Galeria matt is very good it sprays and brushed well and gives a very flat finish.

For a gloss varnish i like Humbrol Clear Gloss, which sprays well.

For Satin and Matt finishes i use the spray cans of Winsor and Newton Galeria Professional Varnishes.

What sort of range are you both keeping from the model?

 

[dave]

With the airbrush i think about 6 inches, I have never really thought about it.

With the spraycans further away probably around 12 inches, (i hope my wife was not watching me type this as i go through the motions of pretending to spray an imaginary aircraft on the screen)

 

[slupanter]

With the airbrush i think about 6 inches, I have never really thought about it.

With the spraycans further away probably around 12 inches, (i hope my wife was not watching me type this as i go through the motions of pretending to spray an imaginary aircraft on the screen)

HAHA

I am off to buy some ASAP, I see a lot of people saying 25 to 30cm so 12" ish sounds good.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Gloss I use Humbrol clearcoat for brush, and Zero clearcoat (from hiroboy) for spraying.
Matt I use Humbrol mattcoat for brush, and Tamiya for spraying (thinned with Mr Colour levelling thinner)
Also use Tamiya Semi gloss and Gloss when spraying.

 

[Dave Ward]

I use Humbrol Acrylic Clear Gloss Varnish - sprayed at 1.5 bar ( 22psi ) from 25cm, straight from the bottle. I use Vallejo Premium Matt & Satin Acrylic varnishes, at the same pressures, but tend to thin these a little - it's very rare for me to hand brush varnish!
Dave

 

[AlanG]

Matt - Xtracrylix flat varnish works a treat for me and it's especially good with a brush as it is with the airbrush
Satin - Humbrol statincote
Gloss - Klear (old version as i have 1 1/2 bottles left lol)

 

[Guest]

View attachment 320587 Ultra mat, a real mat and the best I have ever come across. The others, satin and gloss, mainly Vallejo

 

[Tim Marlow]

Also, in addition to those listed above, in my railway days I used to use Ronseal semi gloss because it really did do exactly what it said on the tin....a litre lasted me about ten years.

 

[Guest]

Also, in addition to those listed above, in my railway days I used to use Ronseal semi gloss because it really did do exactly what it said on the tin....a litre lasted me about ten years.

Tim... I use Wiko's own for diorama, think Ron probely does the same, as he would say " cheap as chips "
John.

 

[slupanter]

I think I rushed in with my lucky varnish and I have a bit bumpy surface. You are supposed to mist it on but sprayed it like Tamiya paint , poor choice.
I hate varnishes and they just kill my projects and fun.

 

[slupanter]

I am going to give this a go as well.
Thoughts?

 

[BarryW]

My day to day varnishes are the four MRP varnishes, gloss, semi-gloss, matt and semi-matt. They spray beautifully, no issues at all.

For when I need a water based varnish I use AKI Ultra Matt and Aclad Aqua Gloss.

For final fittings when I need to apply a fairly durable high sheen gloss to detail with a brush I use Humbrol’s enamel gloss.

 

[Guest]

I too am a fan of Humbrol acrylic clear gloss varnish used straight from the bottle in the airbrush at 22psi. I favour a larger needle which gives a greater spread and coverage. For a satin or matt finish I use bottles of winsor and newton acrylic varnish diluted with a small amount of distilled water for use in the airbrush.