Lately, when I airbrush Pollyscale flat on my armor models I get that chalky white finish on them. Is there something I am doing wrong? Is there something I can do to get a flat finish without the white chalky appearance.
Also, should I be thinning Polyscale with water and if so at what ratio?
Thanks,
Brian
I have never had any luck using Polly Scale flat. But if you were getting good results before and now are not I would guess that you are not mixing it well enough. What the chalky appearance is indeed talc type stuff in the suspension that is used to flat you paint. Try to stir it more and spray it in thinner layers. But I have found that for me Valejjo flat works better than any other flat I have trie.
Hey thanks for the reply. I will do just that plus strain the flat clear.
I had thought about trying Vallejo Flat clear but it seems like I have read that it sometimes come out with a satin or somewhat glossy finish. Is that true?
Brian
I have not noticed that it was glossy at all. See picture below and see what you think.
That looks pretty good. Do you use the Model Air Matt Clear? If so, do you think it at all?
Thanks,
Brian
Yes it is model air stuff and no I did not thin it, it’s pretty thin out of the bottle. I just did a few light coats, and it dries almost as soon as it touches the model.
Can you tell me where you buy it? I can’t seem to find in anywhere on-line.
Thanks,
Brian
I think that Sprue Brothers has it.
If you’re willing to venture outside of acrylics, given Alclad’s new stuff a look-see. Just used their clear matte for the first time last night and LOVED it. I’ve had all kinds of problems with flats before (including Pollyscale spitting white flecks all over a Dauntless). This is the first product I’ve used that’s worked flawlessly. The also make a gloss, semi-gloss, and flat. The matte is more of a flat with a very subtle sheen to it…they’re all mineral spirit based so cleanup’s pretty easy.
They also make a Future substitute that’s supposed to be amazing. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve got a bottle on the paint rack just waiting for an excuse!
Can you spray this over acrylic paint like Tamiya? So this is not lacquer based like the other Aclad paints? What do you thin it with?
Thanks again,
Brian
Yeah - I sprayed it on my Achilles last night, which was mostly painted with Tamiya.
It’s not lacquer based - but mineral spirits. No thinning necessary, either - it shoots wonderfully right out of the bottle.
I’ll post some pics next time I get around to it…
That sounds good. Is there any type of smell to it? If so is it very strong?
No smell that I can pick up. I’d say maybe I’m being attacked by allergies, but I just got done drybrushing some MM Metalizer, and I sure smelled that.
Personally, I use the spray cans of Testors or Model Master flat or gloss… And I don’t need to clean an airbrush after.
They are Lacquer so they work over Acrylics and Enamels with no problems.