Clearcoats

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

If all you have for a color is flat and you want the end result a gloss what should the clearcoat be with an enamel base–pledge multisurface, enamel gloss or lacquer?

2

I use Humbrol Clear gloss varnish over matt enamel all the time for decal and weathering with great results then Humbrol mattcoat or more gloss Clear to lock it all in.

http://www.humbrol.com/us-en/humbrol-gloss-clear-125ml-bottle.html

Mick.

3

I mainly want the final coat for a car body.

4

As long as the base coat is fully cured, I’d say whatever you are most comfortable working with.

5

I had an issue with a Vallejo matt varnish I used on an acrylic (Tamiya) painted build. It masked about 50% of the hues and really toned down the entire paint job. The base paint was completely cured so I wonder if a varnish can go bad? It was only about a year old and to be honest, I dont use varnishes except on rare occasions.

What are the best varnishes for acrylics and enamels?

Thanks, Terry

6

I don’t understand why it works, but Testors Lacquer Glosscoat seems to work fine over Testors enamel. It is what I use on cars painted with Testors enamel. I also use it over auto body lacquer spray cans after polishing the lacquer surface.

I have also used, successfully, Pledge acrylic, Acrylic Gloss Clear from rattle can, and polyurethane cut 1:1 with paint thinner through my airbrush. But the lacquer Glosscoat is my favorite. Note that there is also a Testors enamel Glosscoat but it is harder to find, and takes forever to dry.

7

I have had an issue with Vallejo flat varnish creating a ‘frosted’ appearance and also messing up the underlying colors as you indicated. It is more than likely me not understanding exactly how to airbrush it, but I have long since given up on it in favor of just about any other flat varnish (Alclad (both lacquer and acrylic), testors dullcote, you name it).

I am a big Vallejo fan and use thier acrylics almost exclusively so in no way am I blasting Vallejo here.

8

I’ve used Dullcote in the past and I could kick myself for trying the Vallejo, but we always learn something every build. I like Vallejo too but I think i’ll pass on their varnish.

Thanks Greg.

Terry

9

Happy that you found my 2 cents useful, Terry.