Can someone recommend an acrylic matte varnish/clear coat that does not dry out tacky?
I’ve been using the new Tamiya and it seems very good.
Can you spray it over acrylic paint?
Vallejo matt varnish leaves a very nice finish, dries quickly, and is not tacky. I have used it over acrylic paint with no problem. I thin it about 35% with Vallejo airbrush cleaner and add about 5% Valleo flow improver.
I have. No issues that I can see
I use the Vallejo Matte Varnish with no problems
I tried Vallejo first actually. It dries slightly tacky to the touch, even after weeks. That’s why I’m looking for a alternative.
Good to know. I had another thread a few weeks back asking about Vallejo varnish and it seems other were having the same issue. It’s not sticky when you run your fingers over it, just tacky if apply a little pressure. I did thin with airbrush thinner but I did not use flow improver in addition. I’m not sure if that will fix the issue but I’ll give it a shot the next time. I also had a piece I used Vallejo varnish about a year ago. I don’t handle this one very much, but I did test applying pressure with my fingers the other day and the same tacky surface was on this piece as well even tho it it was applied 10 months ago. To be fair I used satin varnish back then. I use primarily Vallejo paints so I would love a solution to the varnish issue. Thank you for the advice
My [2cnts] for what it’s worth. I use Vallejo paints all the time. All of their clear coats too. I use only distilled water (68cents a gallon at Wallmart) to thin them if necessary plus 1 drop of flow improver for every 5 paint. Have never had any problems. Windex window cleaner is what I use to clean the AB with a quick rinse of distilled water afterward.
Hope that this helps.
Jim [cptn]
Thank you for your input. I’ll try just the water as well to thin.
I tried the Vallejo Matt varnish with just some distilled water last night but I did not have flow improver. I did a test spot. It went on great. Looks great. After letting it sit over night it feels good running my finger over it, but once I pick it up and the pressure from my fingers is a bit stronger it it still slightly tacky. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I even tried another acrylic Matt finish brand at hobby lobby that came in a spray can, and same thing. I’m starting to feel hopeless when I’m just trying to protect my painted project but it does not seem like I can handle them once they have been varnished.
I just remembered something I learned from these guys on here. Is there a way that you can check the humidity in the room you’re using to paint in? If I remember correctly, some paints don’t like high humidity and that effects their drying. Don’t remember if Vallejo is one of them. I haven’t had any trouble and our entire house is a constant 52%. Maybe that could be the cause of your problem. If nobody else has any opinions on this here, try to ask the question in the “Airbrushing” section of these forums. Lots of members post their airbrush problems there and you might get a better answer.
Hope that this helps.
Jim [cptn]
I didn’t think about that. I live in West Texas so it’s very low humidity, but I’ve been letting them dry inside the house. Maybe it’s higher inside. I just don’t have a way to test it. Maybe I should let it sit in my garage for a few days?