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Problems with Vallejo's Matt varnish

Discussion in 'Acrylics' started by fermatgom, Nov 10, 2015.

  1. fermatgom A Fixture

    Country:
    Spain
    Hi!
    I have a lot of problems with Vallejo's matt varnish. I dilute it with some water (2 water:1 varnish) and apply it with a brush. I have to dilute it at least like that and download the brush a lot. If not I get a white glaze that ruins the work. But on the other hand if I avoid that problem then I don't get any effect at all!!!! What am I doing wrong??? or can anyone recommend me another acrylic matt varnish for brush???
    Thank you!!!
  2. Babelfish A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I've yet to find any matt varnish that works properly, as in delivering a very flat finish, and I've tried loads.

    - Steve
    captnenglish, Jeff T and fermatgom like this.
  3. montythefirst Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    fermatgom likes this.
  4. valiant A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Never had much luck with any matt varnishes, acrylic or enamel, until I tried Testors Dullcoat, either applied by brush or aerosol. Top stuff!(y)
    SERHAN OFLAS and fermatgom like this.
  5. samson Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Interesting I used it not long ago on a bust and had no effect eaither . Testors dull coat is also good but comes in a spray can.
    fermatgom likes this.
  6. fermatgom A Fixture

    Country:
    Spain
    Thanks for the recommendations mates! I will test some of those sprays. The problem with spray is that I'm worried to matt as well some glossy, shiny or metal parts...

    Maybe the testors dullcoat for brush, but what thinner should I use?
  7. OldTaff PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    England
    You might like to try Winsor and Newton Artisan water mixable oil varnish. Matt Varnish VERNICE OPACA. As with all these brush varnishes, it needs to be well mixed before you apply it. I find it does the job when necessary.
    fermatgom likes this.
  8. valiant A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Fermatgom - use white spirit to thin and clean brushes. The equivalent to Dullcoat for brushing is Model Masters matt varnish in a small bottle, but shake and mix it well and don't overbrush it, otherwise it may pick up what's underneath!(y)
    fermatgom likes this.
  9. fermatgom A Fixture

    Country:
    Spain
    Thank you! I'll test some of those alternatives.
  10. Jeff T A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Some people swear by Vallejo's matt clear coat, but I have yet to use a bottle that actually works!...would not matt down the gloss no matter how many coats and ratios I used!...the flat clear I use now that is pretty consistant is Model Master's Flat Clear Laquer, I airbrush it as well as brush it.

    Cheer's,
    Jeff.
    fermatgom likes this.
  11. Metal Extremo Well-Known Member

    I had problems with Vallejo matt varnish too. Painted with brush the parts were gloss, no matt. Some people said me that apply with airbrush goes ok, but i can't control the quantity as i want, and the result is not good for me. One year ago i tried with AK ultra matt varnish, now i can't live without it. Used with brush kills the shines. With the colours that satin (blue, red), an when i'm gonna make a lot of glazes at one zone put it at the mix and no shines.
    fermatgom likes this.
  12. Tutilo17 PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    Switzerland
    Made good experiences with AK ultra matt varnish as well.
    Stefan
    fermatgom likes this.
  13. Alex Long A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Vallejo matt varnish is not actually matt anyway. The most effective matt varnish that I've used is Testors Dullcote thinned with artists white spirit and applied in thin layers. This will give you the best possible finish other than using it through an airbrush.

    Alex
  14. Eludia A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I also use W&N Artisan varnishes (matt and satin) and generally I've not had a problem with them yet*.They go on well over anything I've tried so far (oils (normal and water-mixable), acrylics, gouache and water colour) and basically do what they say on the bottle. It can also be sprayed or brushed without any issues

    *I had a few issues with the figure I'm working on at the minute. Basically I couldn't get rid of a gloss finish no matter what I tried. I stripped the model back and repainted it, the varnish went on without a hitch second time around.
    gothicgeek and fermatgom like this.
  15. Fransab Active Member

    Country:
    Spain
    Hi!
    I use Vallejo matt varnish and works almost well, I use distilled wáter. But if you an extra matt finish, try to do this (I never use with varnish, so make the proof before):
    Add a drop of Tamiya flat base, with the peak of a brush usually is enough. I use it with the paints and works perfectly, perfect matt finish.

    Cheers,

    Francisco
    fermatgom likes this.
  16. Reddo Active Member

    Country:
    Australia
    I used to have problems with it and a lot of Vallejo paints - then read on a thread that it needs intensive agitation to work. So I bought a paint shaker and now - problem solved. That said - I find AK's ultra matt varnish the bees knees.
    fermatgom likes this.
  17. fermatgom A Fixture

    Country:
    Spain
    Thank you all for the advices.
    That's a good idea! I also use flat base, but sometimes I forget or I touch too much a figure so gloss appears. I will make some tests adding flat base to the varnish and see what happens!!!
  18. ChaosCossack A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    I've used their Matt varnish and wasn't pleased with the effect. I found their Matt medium added directly to the mixes was much better but for reds and blues even that wasn't 100% flat.

    Colin
    fermatgom likes this.
  19. Fabricio_Fay Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Brazil
    The best way too have a matt finish with Vallejo paints is mixing flat base from Tamya in the paint. You con also mix with matt paints, like Scale 75, ith will leave a matt finish.

    Cheers from Brasil
    fermatgom likes this.
  20. fermatgom A Fixture

    Country:
    Spain
    Yes, I know Fabricio, thats what I usually do, but sometimes you can forget it :p Or if you need to touch too much the figure after painting glossy appears
    Regards!

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