Wounded Chindit

Wounded Chindit

Sunday 14 May 2017

Varnishing blues.

Or should that be greys.?
Yet again the varnishing has gone grey. I was near the end of the spray can but there was more than enough for the job in hand. 
Yesterday Conditions were right not too hot or cold and not damp. Good shake and afterwards of the 20 figures 8 were awful  about 4 were needing a bit of repainting and the 8 were good or in need of a small amount of touching up.

So the question is what's the way forward? I've had enough of spray can varnish and watching my hard work going grey. I have  heard of people using a floor polish - Klear  I think? How does that work? Where do you get it from.

I know many of you will have felt my pain before.
Thanks from Mr bloody Frustrated.

13 comments:

  1. Klear - what you are looking for in the UK is Pledge Multi-Surface Wax. It gives a tough gloss coat so you will still need to matt coat them afterwards - I'd recommend using artists acrylic matt varnish.

    You can either brush on or use an airbrush - it doesn't need to be a super-dooper expensive one and the pressure required is low so you can get away with a cheap small one. This one is plenty good for this:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spraycraft-Airbrush-and-Compressor-Kit/dp/B004EIPWG6/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1494757823&sr=8-2&keywords=spraycraft+airbrush

    You might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

    For the artists matt varnish, you will probably need to thin it a little with water before airbrushing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info Tamsin. I've an airbrush and compressor already but think I'd go down the brush on route to start with. I'll see if the local co-op has the pledge and we have a hobbycraft not too far away in Aylesbury.
      What's your preferred method of varnishing?

      Delete
  2. When you have spent all those hours painting your figures, you want to use something you know will work, so I wouldn't always go for the cheapest product at this stage with your figures.
    I have been brushing on my gloss and matt varnish for years and I use Daler-Rowney, which works for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How true a total de-motivator especially when it's not the first time it's happened.

      Delete
  3. Hello, I and one of my mates have almost totally given up on spray varnish. Especially Humbrol which seems to be the worst. We both now use brush on acrylic varnish, it takes time but at least you can control what is going on. In the end I think it saves time, given no need for touch ups etc. Obviously for very large objects we still use a spray.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've decided to go down that route so many thanks for your recommendation.
      Cheers
      Dan

      Delete
  4. After having experienced more than my fair share of greying varnish I went down the airbrush route. I'm using Armypainter flat varnish now and never had a problem since. I've read somewhere olive oil could be used as a last measure to safe the paintjob after a varnish accident. Never tried it myself though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm using a brush on varnish now but will consider using my airbrush and compressor at some stage when.
      Cheers
      Dan

      Delete
  5. I paint for a living and the product that gives me the best result is Windsor and Newton Galleria range . I get my bottles from the Range here in the uk it's always in stock in the art department . I always brush on varnish, hope that helps .
    Regards Gav .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gavin - I had a look at a few options and at some of your figures on your blog and decided to go with Windsor and Newton Galleria varnish and nice it is too.
      Cheers
      Dan

      Delete
  6. This is hat you need, no frosting and flat as a pancake
    https://www.cowlingandwilcox.com/mediums-varnishes/242-winsor-newton-professional-varnish-matt-400ml?utm_campaign=google_shopping_cw&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CPyWmLbZ8tMCFYK97QodHdIFYg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for you recommendation and I chose to go with the Windsor and Newton varnish though the Galleria option.
      Cheers
      Dan

      Delete
  7. Hmmmm for some reason that link doesn't work the spray varnish I use is Winsor and Newton professional Matt varnish, I've used it for about four years it has never frosted on me and gives a lovely flat finish.

    Jeff

    ReplyDelete