What's actually wrong with Klear varnish

[Stevekir]

Nearly all the criticism that I have read about Klear (Pledge Klear in the UK) is that "it is a floor polish", written with a curled lip. That has all the intellectual argument of "you shouldn't drink water because it is used for flushing lavatories".

So what is actually, technically, wrong with using Klear for gloss varnishing under decals, and for other gloss finishes?

 

[PaulTRose]

absolutly nothing is wrong with it cept you cant get it any more..............ive been using it for years, used it for alsorts of things

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Technically I don't think its a bad product but I just have hit and miss results when I use it to cover models with, I'd much rather use a Revell rattle can or Tamiya can that I know I'm going to get consistant results with, rather that to coin your phrase find I get some water that's hard and harsh or too soft

Now I use mine for canopies and any clear parts I need to give a shine to. I did try the Aqua Gloss from Alclad and again had varying results, maybe its just me

Adrian

 

[andygh]

I've no idea why anyone should think there's anything "wrong" with using Klear, anyone who thinks there is has obviously been out of touch with modelling during the last 20 odd years. It was an acrylic varnish that was marketed for floors but quite obviously works on many surfaces

Incidentally this stuff is as good, if not identical Humbrol 125ml Clear AC7431

 

[tecdes]

Steve I have used it & then not used it when I found it gave me a delightful headache.

Never found it satisfactory or easy to apply. Used both the old Klear & New Klear. Found that it scratched very easily.

Others seem to fare better than I with the stuff so this may all be down to me. The old maxim "suck it & see" if it is for you fine then use it.

If not, as my situation, I use Vallejo varnish in its place. Works well for me & very much a plus it does not give me a headache. Also I try not to mix different paints or mediums. I keep to the same manufacturer in the belief that there are enough things to go wrong without adding to the mix.

For cockpit canopies I tried it. Sure it gives a modicum of brightness but I do not see the sense of that if you have used weathering on the model.

Laurie

 

[aaron]

I use it on every model both airbrushed and brushed. Ive never had a problem with it and it has a beautiful gloss finish and self levels well so i can slop it on a figure.I have 2 full bottles of the old stuff so a gloss varnish is never on my "things to get list" The new stuff smells like apples.Nom nom nom.

 

[andygh]

Careful, you'll agitate the "Klear police" :policeman::laughing:

 

[stona]

I've got a life time supply (and some) of the old stuff. I love it, though at the prices it's going for now I might sell the lot. It's just another gloss varnish.

Cheers

Steve

 

[m1ks]

Theres nothing whatsoever wrong with it as a 'CHEAP' acrylic gloss varnish, keyword, Cheap! which is precisely what the old stuff isn't anymore.

I have a bottle of old formula almost full and a bottle of the new, they both work the same yet people still pay silly money for the 'old formula'

All I use mine for now however is canopy dipping (and precoating if not in a hurry), for decals on military models, (on civilian they're getting a gloss paint before gloss clear so no need)

I use Xtracrylics varnish otherwise, which, once thinned with water works out about the same price as the 'ebay old formula price', is more predictable for spraying and is dry in 15 min flat, ready for oil washes and decals and dries to a tough finish too.

The whole point of the old Klear was simply that its a watery acrylic varnish which was dirt cheap, (couple of quid a bottle), last ages.

For those wanting to try it, the new stuff, though it's perfumed and looks opaque rather than clear, does exactly the same and is about £3.50 a bottle from pretty much any supermarket AND you get 750ml rather than the old 500ml!

Steve, you'd be as well off selling off your stash while it's fetching silly money, buy more kits with the proceeds.

 

[m1ks]

[video=youtube;k6dXkL6CwGY]

 

[Ian M]

Nowt wrong with it in its day it was what there was. These days there are better things that are made for the job. The "its floor polish" comment is in its self a provocation and an exclamation of the fact. IT is floor polish.

Ian M

 

[tecdes]

I have often wondered that with so many model makers using Klear why a company (including Klear) has yet to bottle similar stuff & flogg it to the modelling fraternity.

PVA variations have been marketed under numerous names. Seems strange that a product provider has not cottoned on.

Laurie

 

[CDW]

I have often wondered that with so many model makers using Klear why a company (including Klear) has yet to bottle similar stuff & flogg it to the modelling fraternity.

Me too Laurie .. Its happened quite often in many hobbies ... One of the reasons I boycott many products and try and find the original "bulk" item, or break the product down into its component parts and make my own (I.e.microsol/set etc etc)

I could rant on for ages about people being taken for a ride with buying these "specialist" products when they're just another product repackaged.... It annoys me a tad as you've probably noticed

 

[tecdes]

.... It annoys me a tad as you've probably noticed

Not noticed that Colin !!!!!!!

Thought of you as a cool guy wandering around those Sleepy Pentland Hills.

Laurie

 

[PaulTRose]

I have often wondered that with so many model makers using Klear why a company (including Klear) has yet to bottle similar stuff & flogg it to the modelling fraternity.

i remember hearing a story a few years ago, think it was one of the modelling mags, where the mag approached Kleers manufacturers to talk about how their product has this alternative use in our hobby. they were very interested and wanted to know more as it could open a new line of sales, the mag proceeded to tell them how we used it and they were horrified that people airbrush it. the H&S implications made them run a mile and want nothing more to do with the mag

 

[tecdes]

Paul I concur with them. Tried airbrushing the stuff once & felt ill for a couple of hours even though I was wearing, at the time of airbrushing, a the correct good quality nose filter.

May not be scientific but as in the taste buds you reject certain substances (beer is an exception) so with the "smell" senses I am always wary of smelly substances (camembert excepted).

Interesting that it is OK swilling a load around over the floor where it dries in the air but not to airbrush it. Suppose it is diluted in the floor use. Also interesting that they changed the Klear mixture from original to new love to know why.

So must go. Back to airbrushing a few bits with Vallejo Varnish :cool2:

Laurie

 

[Gern]

i remember hearing a story a few years ago, think it was one of the modelling mags, where the mag approached Kleers manufacturers to talk about how their product has this alternative use in our hobby. they were very interested and wanted to know more as it could open a new line of sales, the mag proceeded to tell them how we used it and they were horrified that people airbrush it. the H&S implications made them run a mile and want nothing more to do with the mag

Somebody should tell their H&S department that shiny floors are slippery - and therefore constitute a health hazard! :lol

Gern