Joel_W Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I've been using Testors Dullcoat and Glosscoat since the early 1970's, but would prefer to switch to a single companies acrylic base for gloss and matt finishes. I've used Pledge for glossing, but still end up using Dullcoat for my matt finishes. I came across a video by Bobby Waldron on using Windsor and Newton Matt Acrylic Varnish. He really likes the product. Has anyone used both the gloss and matt acrylic varnishes? And how did you thin them? Would Tamiya X-20A be a viable thinning agent? Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi Joel, A friend of mine has been using them for quite some time now and he is quite satisfied. When I asked him about how I can thin them, he told me that these varnishes can be thinned with rubbing-alcohol and/or distilled water. Sernak Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi Joel, A friend of mine has been using them for quite some time now and he is quite satisfied. When I asked him about how I can thin them, he told me that these varnishes can be thinned with rubbing-alcohol and/or distilled water. Sernak Sernak, Thanks for the information. I tried a small test thinning both the gloss and Matt finishes with Tamiya X-20A and a drop of Windsor & Newton Flow Enhancer, and it worked fine. No issues, no clogging, no turning cloudy when dried. It's going to be really hard to give up Testors Glosscoat and Dullcoat, but I really want to go lacquer free. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Bobby uses the Matt UV type varnish from W&N. I just purchased a set of three from ebay and it worked really nice when I test-sprayed it. Goes on smooth and didn't get any tip drying like a lot of other acrylic varnishes. For gloss work, I've found nothing better than Alclad's Aqua Gloss. It's one of the best acrylic gloss varnishes I've ever used. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 (edited) Bobby uses the Matt UV type varnish from W&N. I just purchased a set of three from ebay and it worked really nice when I test-sprayed it. Goes on smooth and didn't get any tip drying like a lot of other acrylic varnishes. For gloss work, I've found nothing better than Alclad's Aqua Gloss. It's one of the best acrylic gloss varnishes I've ever used. Rob Rob, Thanks for the reply. What did you thin the W&N Matt varnish with? for glossing, naturally I've been a long time Glosscoat user. I do use Pledge, and have tried and liked Alcad's Gloss Klear Kote, which is mineral spirit based. I didn't realize that they also had a acrylic based gloss. Will have to check it out. l Joel Edited July 15, 2015 by Joel_W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 (edited) Joel, I thinned it with UMP (Ultimate Modelling Products) thinner but I've also made the same home brew thinner Bobby Waldron uses (consisting of water, 90% isopropyl alcohol, and flow improver). It works great with either. Here's the video where Bobby shows you how to make the thinner yourself: Rob Edited July 15, 2015 by galileo1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 Joel, I thinned it with UMP (Ultimate Modelling Products) thinner but I've also made the same home brew thinner Bobby Waldron shows you how to make (consisting of water, isopropyl alcohol, and flow improver). It works great with either. If you want, I could try thinning it with Tamiya's X20A to see if it works - being that's one thinner that's readily available. Rob Rob, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I don't have easy access to UMP products. Bobby's homemade acrylic thinner is basically what X-20A is. I've tested the W&N Matt using X-20A, and it worked fine. No clogging issues with my M1 that has a .4mm cone. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 See above, Joel. I edited my response and included the link to the video where he shows you how to do it. He doesn't use X20A. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 See above, Joel. I edited my response and included the link to the video where he shows you how to do it. He doesn't use X20A. Rob Rob, Thanks for posting the link. I've tried to watch it before, and just tried now. It loads, then freezes. All his other vids work fine for me. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Strange. I just watched the whole thing again without issues. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 Strange. I just watched the whole thing again without issues. Rob Rob, Just my luck. It's the one video that just doesn't work. I have no issues with his news videos. Could it be that I'm not a member any longer. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 I don't think so. The link is to YouTube and this is one of the freebie ones he posted. I remember not being a member and being able to watch it (I'm a member now though). Try downloading it locally from YT and play it with something like Windows media player or the such. I've done it many times. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 I don't think so. The link is to YouTube and this is one of the freebie ones he posted. I remember not being a member and being able to watch it (I'm a member now though). Try downloading it locally from YT and play it with something like Windows media player or the such. I've done it many times. Rob Rob, Thanks. Will try that. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blue73 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Same problem Joel, I can watch any other YouTube video but not that one, freezes after a few seconds and wont resume. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 Same problem Joel, I can watch any other YouTube video but not that one, freezes after a few seconds and wont resume. Blue73, At least I know I'm not crazy. In any event, his thinner is a close approximation of Tamiya's X-20A, and I have two containers of it that I hardly use, since I use their Yellow cap Lacquer Thinner to thin Tamiya Acrylics. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shaka HI Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I've tried the Windsor & Newton Matte's without much success -- thinned with water and/or X20A. I can't lay it down smooth -- it pools and the finish looks chalky. I reverted to Testor's Dullcote which is practically idiot-proof. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 I've tried the Windsor & Newton Matte's without much success -- thinned with water and/or X20A. I can't lay it down smooth -- it pools and the finish looks chalky. I reverted to Testor's Dullcote which is practically idiot-proof. Shaka Hi, I'm surprised to hear that. So far my tests and limited use of the W&N Matt have yielded excellent results. The engine, prop, cowling, and landing gear are all Flat coated with it. The rest of the aircraft was Dullcoated. I'm thinning the W&N varnishes with X-20A 1:1, I add 1 drop of their Flow Enhancer for every 12 drops of mix, and with a flow rate of 18 psi. I I really mist it on, not trying for a temp wet coat. I'm also thinking of trying it with Tamiya's Yellow Cap Lacquer Thinner. It thins literally everything. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shaka HI Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I've misted that thing to death...it looks good until you closely inspect it. Anyway, do share your findings -- I'm more interested in these types of products due to availability... I fear hobby shops are dying at my location and I can't get lacquer-based products shipped to me, let alone acrylics of any kind unless I can find them from a vendor specializing in artists products on Island. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 (edited) Shaka Hi, I've used Dullcoat and Glosscoat applied via an air brush since the early 70s. Never used a rattle can, so I have no experience with them what so ever, with the exception that I do use Tamiya Gray sealer Primer both in a rattle can for small jobs, and my AB for everything else. There are some very good videos on using Windsor & Newton Varnishes on utube. Bobby Waldron uses their Matt Varnish, and loves the stuff. That's where I originally found out about it. I'm trying to move away from true lacquer clear coats due to the smell, and the harmful fumes. Of course the fact that my wife complains every time I air brush either Testor product, was reason enough to start to look for an alternative. The Tamiya Matt, not the additive, works well, but the largest size it comes in is a 23ml bottle. Much to small, and to costly to even consider using it. As far as the W&N Matt varnish, if you're getting a blotchy finish when it dried, then you're not applying a wet enough coat. Try thinning it 40:60, move in a little closer, and lower your flow psi a little more. Joel Edited July 23, 2015 by Joel_W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 (edited) I saw the same Vid Joel and it had me very intrigued! We spend a ton on Modeling specific Clear Coats! I checked some art supply stores here in Okinawa and struck out on W&N products but found an equivalent Acrylic Flat Varnish here and it works great! It's from Holbien? Never heard of it before, but I shoot it straight from the bottle and a dead flat varnish! I'm sold! And value! It's about $8.50 for a 200 ml bottle compared to the $2.00 bottle of Mr Color Clears. Just need to find its gloss counterpart! Or order from the states! Edited July 26, 2015 by Tomcat Tweeker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Tomcat Tweeker, Nice find. Basic art supplies often work just as good or better, and are a lot cheaper in the long run. Your picture really tells the whole story. We, as modelers pay an astronomical price for paints and finishes when you extrapolate them out to the same size as what an artist would usually buy. Not to mention that for the most part you can get what you need at any art supply store. Unlike Hobby shops, Art supply stores seem to be everywhere including the national chains. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zeus60 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 I checked some art supply stores here in Okinawa and struck out on W&N products but found an equivalent Acrylic Flat Varnish here and it works great! It's from Holbien? Never heard of it before, but I shoot it straight from the bottle and a dead flat varnish! I'm sold! And value! It's about $8.50 for a 200 ml bottle compared to the $2.00 bottle of Mr Color Clears. Just need to find its gloss counterpart! Or order from the states! I believe Holbein is a well-known maker of artist paints. I know I've seen the brand at Dick Blick's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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