You'll get a different answer for every modeler on this one, Martin. I do 1/72 WW2 aircraft, and my way is:
- Humbrol Clear as gloss coat (sometimes two coats to get a good shine)
- Apply decals
- Another gloss coat to seal the decals
- Do any washes on the gloss coat/decals
- Winsor and Newton Galeria Matt Varnish to seal everything in.
I use the Flory water-based weathering washes to bring out the panel lines. I slap it on willy nilly, then wipe off with a damp paper towel so it just stays in the panel lines. I find this has to be done over a gloss coat, otherwise it doesn't wipe off properly. The only weathering I do after the matt coat is if I want some really dirty exhaust stains. For that I use artists' charcoal, ground up and gently dusted on with a soft brush, and it sticks best over a matt finish.
This works for me, but I do use an airbrush. Maybe someone who uses a brush (some people on here get great results with a brush) will be along soon.
a mention must go to Mig's Matt varnish
I use that as well, and it is good. I changed after tiring of Vallejo's white spots in their matt varnish.
I had the same problem with Vallejo Matt.The first bottle I used was good. The next two gave white patches on the model.I tried decanting the bottle and mixing it thoroughly, even adding some Vallejo thinner. I won't touch the stuff now after ruining a couple of models. I now use the Alclad gloss and Matt clear coats. Perfect results every time.
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