Matt problem

[Figure Mad]

Hi Guys

This may sound like a very stupid question, but here goes:-

I have just started having trouble with all types of colours not drying down to matt properly, and was wondering which is the best clear coat for final matting down, one that doesn’t cover to much painted detail, also one that doesn’t dry slightly white and powdery in the corners of moulded detail. I would also like to know where can they be purchased in the UK.

Please bare in mind I work in Acrylics.

Thanks in advance...

Dave

 

[homellop]

Hi Dave.
I prefer using Tamiya's Flat Base X-21 mixed with the paint rather than coating with matt varnish.
If you choose the dull coat try Marabú Mattlack applied with aerograph.It's the best for me.But I don't know where purchase it in England.Sorry.
regards
jaume

 

[Roy]

Hey Dave, how you doing mate. This is an unusual one for you as all your colours dry reliably matt.

As for the best solution, well I don't know the best one, but this one sure might help. I use Winsor & Newton Acrylic Matt varnish diluted with a little water. I've never had any problems with a powdery residue as long as it's mixed thoroughly. It may be wise to give it a try on some scrap piece first just to make sure it is o.k.
And you can use 2 or 3 really thin coats without obscuring any detail at all.

I don't need to tell you where to get it either as it's widely available in all art shops here in London. Let me know how you get on. If you do try it Dave, make sure you shake the bottle like crazy and then thoroughly mix the varnish that you take out of it even before you add the water (distilled is got to be the best bet).

All the best.

Roy.

 

[RobH]

That's interesting Jaume, mixing Flat Base with the paints - what ration do you use.

I believe some shops sell some Marabu paints over here - at least I've seen various ranges for fabric/glass painting in a local art store - I'll check them out!

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Jaume

Thanks for the insite, I will see if I can find the Marabú matt in the shops over here. I have not tried the Tamiya paint for a very long time as it used to smell realy bad, so i kept away from it, do you know if they have changed the smell now.... :lol:

I have tried the matt medium before it realy needs mixing in well, to give a good finish, but some colours just dont mix very well, but some give a brilliant finish, it must be the pigment in the colours

Hi Roy

Feeling good how about yourself....?

Yep unusual, over the last week or so I have had the problem with a few colours from andrea, it seems to be a little more like the vellejo satin finish rather than their usual matt finish, I was wondering if they have a shelf life or not. Thanks for that I will give the W&N matt that you suggested a try.

thanks

Dave

 

[Roy]

Dave, if you are unable to get any today, I can bring some to the club for you to try.

Let me know if you're going and I will bring it.

Roy.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Roy

I will try and get some at lunch time, I am going tonight, I will bring the retreat as it stands at the moment

Dave

 

[Roy]

O.K. that's cool Dave, let me know if you pick some up.

Roy.

 

[Pete_H]

I still have one jar of Poly-Scale's matte finish, which I protect religiously. By far, the best water-based matte finish I've ever used. However, stay away from the Vallejo matte finish since it's weak to say the least. I recently picked up a bottle of Andrea's matte finish, so let's see how this one works.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Pete

Thats what I have been using for a while, I still have times when some colours go slightly satin and trying to cover this is a problem with most matt coats that I have tried. I am gonna have a go withe W&N stuff that Roy suggested...

Dave

 

[PJ Deluhery]

I don't do much in acrylics, but I noticed you said that you just started to have the gloss problem. Perhaps you are not thinning your paints enough. I know I have had satin finishes happen when the paint mixture is too thick - especially with Vallejos. Just a thought.

There have also been "urban legends" of "bad batches" of some paints, so if your paints are too old or previously unused, maybe a fresh bottle will solve the problem.

I'm really not for clear coats, but when in deep do-do with shiny oils I have resorted to Testor's Modelmaster Lusterless Flat. Comes in a spray can. If you shake the can very well, and be sure the can and the figure are above 70 degrees (F) you can avoid any problems with fogging. Try it first on something expendable!


For future work, I think mixing in a matt medium will help a lot.

Good luck.

 

[Automata]

I still have one jar of Poly-Scale's matte finish, which I protect religiously

They don't make that anymore? That's definitely my favorite. I'll have to visit all the local shops and buy it all up.

Barry

 

[Pete Wenman]

Dave hi

As Pete H said PollyScale is great, I've used it on both figures and aircraft. Of a similar ilk is Xtracrylix Flat Varnish (Hannants own brand) and I now use this as it is easier to source than the pollyscale.

Both are thinned with water and will create a totally flat finish, best applied by airbrush.

Hannants also do a white spirt thinned flat varnish - Xtracolour range, same affect as above just a little more smell :lol:

HTH

Pete

 

[rdclaeps]

I use the same thing that Jaume uses, the Tamiya Flat Base. I just add a drop or two. If you add too much, sometimes the paint will dry with a white haze to it. It will matte out any of the Vallejo colors. I’ve also found that by adding this to the paint, it helps with improving the coverage of the Vallejo yellows, blues and reds, (less coats to get a good base.

 

[jjgurk]

I don't know if this will help or not, but the flattest matt finish I've tried was a varnish that was available for maritime pastimes, ie., boats. I assume it was used as some type of protective coating and was available only in larger tins, but did it ever do the job. If I can remember the name of it I'll post it. IIRC it was available in some hardware stores and maritime supply shops.

John

 

[Pete_H]

Rodger,
Careful with the W&N matte "varnish." It's nothing more than a beeswax suspension. I made the mistake of thinking it was a "varnish" in the sense that we associate it with, say, Testor's dullcote (good stuff too). The stuff will come off at the slightest touch and leave a waxy texture to your figure. I ended up having to strip a figure after using that stuff once.

 

[Brad S]

I still use model masters' lusterless flat with no problems.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Guys

Thanks to you all for the various matt coats and medium suggestons, I will try all that I can and hopefully end up with the result I am after...

Dave

 

[nagashino]

Hello Dave

I use Testors Dullcote, which comes in half-size spray cans. It's not available over here but you can get it mail order from various US outlets. It pongs a bit but I find it dries very matt with no noticeable residue. I think I have a spare can so I'll bring it along to Welling show.

I was advised to use Xtracolour matt varnish but I found you need sunglasses to view your stuff after applying it!

Here's another little tip. Games Workshop Matt varnish isn't... however, if you use it on metal figures, coating it over areas like helmets, greaves etc, and then give it a couple of hours in the slow-cooker, boy does it cook to a hard semi-gloss sheen - almost like low temperature enamelling. Again this stuff pongs really bad so use it with plenty of ventilation!

Cheers

Phil

 

[Figure Mad]

Cheers Phil

That would great if you could bring it along with you, you will have to let me know how much I owe you...

Dave