Varnishing my spitfire

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Hey all,

I’m trying to finish up my first model, a Spitfire MkVb. I’ve had no idea what I’m doing this whole time, and it hasn’t turned out super well, but it’s a learning experience and all that.

So I’m up to the varnish stage before I put the decals on. I bought Humbrol Clear (both matt and gloss). For greater authenticity (with what little I know about the historicity), I was intending on using the matt finish until:

  1. I noticed a lot of people online saying it wasn’t a great product
  2. I realised it’s water-based (I have used enamel paints)

Can anyone give me some advice on how to proceed? Should I forget Humbrol Clear altogether? Is there some other product I should consider using here?

Thanks for helping such a noob!

2

I admit I havent used Humbrol but being water based shouldn’t effect the enamel paint. It’s always best to test paint combinations on a piece of cardboard , plastic or a “paint mule” ( a discarded model you’re never going to finish ) before using it on a finished model you’ve worked so hard on. It’s well worth the time and effort to do so and it’s faster in the long run than striping and repainting your model when after the paint combo doesn’t work out.

Having said that, there’s two products I use interchangeably, Testor’s Dullcoat Laquer ( thinned 50% with hardware store laquer thinner) and Alclad’s Aqua gloss. Airbrushed with very thin coats ,these products have worked well for me not having any problems with any type of paint underneath. I hope this helps Mate.

3

I haven’t used Humbrol either, but you shouldn’t have any issues with putting it on the enamel.

4

Is your Humbrol Flat coat/Matt Coat labeled acrylic? I have been using their enamel Matt/Flat coat for many years as my go to product. The stuff is excellent in my experience. I thin it with Testors Universal Enamel Airbursh Thinner for best results.

5

Thanks for the suggestions.

It says “water soluble”, which I took to mean the same thing (but perhaps I’m wrong about that).

6

Good question… my next question is- is the stuff that you have in a tin, plastic pot, or glass bottle? I have the enamel stuff in tins and larger glass bottle.

7

It’s a 125ml glass bottle.

8

I’ve been using both the flat and the gloss for a while now , had no issue’s with either , I have thinned it with both lacqueur and tamiya thinner’s , I have also used it straight from the bottle .

9

You wan to put down a gloss coat (which ever product you decide to use) before you apply the decals. then seal in the decals after they have dried with another coat of either gloss or flat depending on how or if you are going to do any weathering.