Vallejo Model Color: I need a satin finish

[UrkVisser]

Hi Everybody!

I recently painted the upper section of a hull with Vallejo Model Color Acrylic for brush painting.

 

The results were wonderfull but alas this paint is very matt and I need a satin finish to match the nice scarlet red satin finish on my hull.

 

Can anybody advise me what to do? Does Vallejo make a transparent satin overcoat for brushing on? I've only seen something like that in their air brush paint sets.

 

This is the first time I have ever used acrylic paint on a plastic model. I only have experience with  Revell or Humbrol enamel.

 

At first I had painted the black part of my hull with some Revel SM 302 which was on the shelf too long but never opened. The results were horrible plus it coated poorly.

 

Of course my Revell scarlet red satin enamel looks beautiful on the bottom of my hull. 

 

Then after sanding her down as good as possible I bought some new Revell SM 302 it only reactivated the bad paint underneath plus also had weird problem with tiny bubbles! 

 

Then I really sanded it and sanded it more and repainted it with Vallejo Model Color which covered good and went on nice with a red wissel hair brush.

 

Thanks for your help in advance!

UrkVisser

 

[wefalck]

Their full range for the German market can be looked up here: https://www.vallejo-farben.de/

 

In the Model Air range they have glossy, satin, and matt varnishes. I think they are also available in larger containers than the usual little bottles.

 

There is nothing to prevent you to use these varnishes pre-diluted for the airbrush with a normal soft brush, I do this quite frequently. I found that the surface sheen is somewhat different depending on whether you use the airbrush or a normal painbrush. If you have the choice, you may need to experiment to the sheen you want.

 

 

[UrkVisser]

Today the weather was sunny and pleasant also when only 5° Celcius my 300 meter hike each way to my local home and garden center did me some good.

 

They also have an art department where I bought a 60 ml jar of 'Kreul - Hobby Color' water based, clear acrylic satin varnish. It's made in Germany and can also be thinned.

 

So I tested it out on a piece of discarded plastic sprue from the kit I'm building. I painted  it with various patches of 'Vallejo - Model Color' black.

 

After it dried, I experimented with my new acrylic varnish painting over the black with full strength varnish, half diluted with water and as only a thin wash.

 

The one with full strength shines nicely but actually too much and was quite thick leading to brush marks even with my soft red wissel hair brush.

 

The next test I did was with 50% varnish and 50% water was between satin and matt with no brush marks.

 

But my test with only a thin wash was useless.

 

Now I'll test 25% water / 75% varnish which should be perfect! 

 

I actually wanted to buy 'Vallejo 726519 acrylic varnish but only a certain model train dealer has it.

Alas I just spent 53 € here and 53 € there for two orders of model ship stuff plus tools. So being retired I needed to avoid another big order this month. 

 

Best Regards, UrkVisser