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Hi dakka.

I got some Matt Varnish from Vallejo (#70.520 - for reference). I brough this from my LGS assuming it would be thin enough to use straight from the pot - after all, it was listed with the airbrush paints on their site. Turns out, that stuff is pretty thick. To what ratio would you recommend thinning it? And how would i mix it? In the airbrush cup, or on the side and 'scoop' it into the airbrush?

Thanks alot

If you mix it in the cup, mix it well.

Yes, thin it, and increase your pressure a bit, will help give better coverage.

I use testors acryl matte in my arirbush all the time, and if just goes on better after thinning it just a bit.

best of luck!

I use the very same Vallejo Gloss and Matt Varnish straight out of the bottle without problems (at about 40 psi).

Steelmage99 wrote:
I use the very same Vallejo Gloss and Matt Varnish straight out of the bottle without problems (at about 40 psi).

I'll have to give that a try...

I use the same varnish as well but usually thinned about 1:1 with their airbrush thinner medium and then spray at 30psi. No problems for me

I tried it straight from the pot at 40 psi, and it came out frosty.
Will try at 30psi thinned when i've done my next model.

I use the vallejo matte thinned to a water consistency. It comes out super fast you have to so quick light coats or it'll get frosty real quick.

Zambro wrote:
I tried it straight from the pot at 40 psi, and it came out frosty.
Will try at 30psi thinned when i've done my next model.

I am somewhat surprised.
What distance did you spray from, and were you careful about doing thin layers?

I usually spray from around 20 cm and keep the airbrush moving at all time. I always take care to do several thin layers as opposed to one.

I use Windsor & Newton Galleria Satin Acrylic varnish as follows:

Put a bit of water in the cup first. Add 3-4 good drops of flow improver (I use W&N again). Now I put in the varnish, about the same amount as the water mix and stir well with a long-bristle brush (I have a brush just for mixing in the airbrush - doesn't need to be a good one).

Spray at around 20psi. Higher pressure (spray speed) can dry the varnish in flight, which is what gives the frosty finish.

As with anything else, you want the coat to go on glossy (not wet) and then matt down almost immediately in the airflow. Keep the brush moving.

Steelmage99 wrote:

Zambro wrote:
I tried it straight from the pot at 40 psi, and it came out frosty.
Will try at 30psi thinned when i've done my next model.

I am somewhat surprised.
What distance did you spray from, and were you careful about doing thin layers?

I usually spray from around 20 cm and keep the airbrush moving at all time. I always take care to do several thin layers as opposed to one.

Ah, i was at like 10cm And I did a rather thick coat, thinking back. It didn't look like it was applying, so I ended up with a thicker coat.

Thanks for the advise everyone, when i next get a model ready to varnish, i'll let you know how it goes.