VMS Acrylic Varnishes

[Flip]

Historically, I have suffered with using Humbrol Acrylic varnishes being tacky for ages. I am an enamel user so I have been told that, post painting, I need to use an acrylic varnish to protect the paint and that this will not be attacked by enamel thinners when rubbing excess wash off. So, I bought a selection of VMS Acrylic Varnishes to try on my A400M Atlas and F-117A Nighthawk...

The Atlas looks ghastly but I suspect that's more down to my lack of airbrushing skills.

The F-117A seems good as deposited but was attacked by the Humbrol enamel thinners. Also, once the decals were on, I locally airbrushed some Humbrol Clear over the decals to protect them. This crazed - looking like crazy paving. I also applied some Microscale MicroMask around the nav lights and beacons to hand-paint those. This also attacked the varnish.

I was using my H&S Evolution CR Plus AB with 0.4mm needle. The gloss varnish would not spray reliably so I had to thin it 2 parts Ammo acrylic thinners to 1 part varnish and also had terrible overspray issues so dropped the pressure down to 10 psi

Has anyone else experienced similar?

Does anyone have a magical varnish solution for working with enamel paints a) at the pre-wash stage and b) at the final coat stage?

Thanks all for your help.

John

 

[Mark1]

I have had a crazing issue with vallejo polyurethane varnish,sprayed a coat over vallejo acrylic colour no problem,next day thought it could do with another coat,crazed up and i peeled it off like a layer of latex,
Now use vallejo acrylic varnish with no problems, i have done acylic and enamel washes over it without any issues, couldnt coment as for spraying over enamel base as i dont use them.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

I've been using Tamiya gloss clear X22, Ammo MIG Lucky varnish (both gloss and matt) and Humbrol satin cote.
My only issue was with X22, and only once, when I thinned it too much and sprayed at too high pressure causing a grainy finish (probably the paint started to dry while in flight...).
I then used oil and enamel washes on all of them without any particular issue.

Andrea

 

[Panzerwrecker]

I can't comment on the issue you have with enamels but ref the VMS varnishes, I have acheived some great results and really like them. Online tutorial with the satin varnish found here:

 

[Flip]

I've been using Tamiya gloss clear X22, Ammo MIG Lucky varnish (both gloss and matt) and Humbrol satin cote.
My only issue was with X22, and only once, when I thinned it too much and sprayed at too high pressure causing a grainy finish (probably the paint started to dry while in flight...).
I then used oil and enamel washes on all of them without any particular issue.

Andrea

Andy,
Much appreciated.
I have just tried to buy some of the Tamiya from the shop but having a bit of a problem, so awaiting John's help.
Kind Regards,
John

 

[Flip]

I can't comment on the issue you have with enamels but ref the VMS varnishes, I have acheived some great results and really like them. Online tutorial with the satin varnish found here:

Los,
Thanks for the input - it was that video that convinced me to buy a selection.

The attached image shows the attack on the VMS gloss by the Microscale MicroMask, which I have successfully used loads of time on Humbrol Clear.
I appreciate your help, though.
Kind Regards,
John