peter havriluk Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I've just airbrushed a USN early-WWII airplane with Model Master blue-grey enamel. Came out dead flat, almost chalky. I'd like to clearcoat the airplane with a satin clear coat, offering a step-off-from-flat sheen, but the only clearcoat I found that was neither glossy or flat was Tamiya's 'semi-gloss' lacquer. Does anyone know how far removed from full gloss and dead flat this finish is? And is anyone using any rattle-can lacquers from the mainstream, like Deft's satin lacquer (I already own it), to accomplish what I'm trying to do? Thanks, Much obliged. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 You might try testors acryl semi gloss, it is the only semi gloss i found which is not too glossy. Obviously , test it over some scrap painted the same way as your model first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peter havriluk Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 Thanks for the advice. I'll see what I can find next trip to the hobby store. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I use Tamiya's Semi Gloss Clear and find that it's really good. Leans a tad to the matt side but has a nice little sheen going. HTH... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peter havriluk Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Thanks for the advice. I'll see if my local hobby store can provide it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Tamiya's lacquers can be 'problematic' over decals. (melting, wrinkling, destroying) I would imagine hardware store varieties would be even more so. Model Master and Humbrol both have satin clears. Alclad has a wide range of aqueous clears in a variety of sheens, from matte to gloss. Vallejo will have a number of clears in different sheens. Or you could add a drop or two of Tamiya's matte agent to some Future to make whatever sheen you're looking for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I've used Mr.Hobby's Topcoat sprays for years now and really like them. They also have excellent satin spray. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 I mix Model Master gloss and flat to achieve a semi gloss. I would highly recommend mixing and making it exactly what you need rather than hoping something off the shelf works to your liking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peter havriluk Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 I own and use airbrushes. Each one is a monumental PITA to set up and clean up afterwards. An hour to do a minute's work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 The more you use the airbrush the quicker it will be to setup each time and cleanup after each session. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peter havriluk Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 Exactly so. The magic words 'setup' and 'cleanup'. Setup before and cleanup after each session take time that rattle cans just plain don't. Rattle cans take me far less time and cleanup than my airbrush. And wastes a lot less paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lesthegringo Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 (edited) Also there are different types of airbrushes. A single action external mix airbrush like the badger 350 is excellent for this type of application, as it can spray a fine coat over quite a broad area, so it covers well. It also can hold larger volumes, and is more tolerant of the mix. For large areas it is great, and is also very easy to clean afterwards. Double action internal mix airbrushes are great for finer detail, but for large areas are slower, and yes they take a bit more cleaning Les Edited May 5, 2017 by lesthegringo spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viper730 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 On 4/30/2017 at 11:43 PM, peter havriluk said: I own and use airbrushes. Each one is a monumental PITA to set up and clean up afterwards. An hour to do a minute's work. Really..... Getting paint in the color cup. 30sec paint 30 sec. clean up 30sec. so in the time it takes you to Shake the rattle can I am done and on to the next....okay a bit of an exaggeration but I know it takes me less than 5 minutes to do such a task. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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