Matt Varnish - AAAARGH!!!!!

Don Stauffer

Blushing happens because the rapid evaporation cools the paint surface down below dew point, and water (dew) condenses on the surface giving a rough surface. For clear coats the rough surface makes them look whitish and matt. Never paint with a laquer solvent paint when the dewpoint is close to the actual temperature

   This is why I love this site. I would usually browse and pick up nuggets like this and move on , but I use acrylics and never have had a problem with testors my self. I do have a bottle of Microscale's Micro Flat but no excuse to test so far. Hope your problem gets settled.  P.S. Guy Fawkes; the only man to enter parliament with honest intentions. Happy Boxing Day  

Yes, Testors clear coats could yellow over the years, for the older stuff.  They seemed to have fixed that several years ago.  Sometimes frosting is paint blush.  Blush is caused by rapid evaporation of thinner on very humid days.  Lacquers are particularly susceptible to it because of their quick dry.  I suppose acrylic lacquers could blush too.

Blushing happens because the rapid evaporation cools the paint surface down below dew point, and water (dew) condenses on the surface giving a rough surface.  For clear coats the rough surface makes them look whitish and matt.  Never paint with a laquer solvent paint when the dewpoint is close to the actual temperature.

I've always had great results with Humbrol Matt Clear from the little tin. If I have a hint of "frosting", it's usually due to my thinner to paint ratio. But you will not find a better, more flat top coat than Humbrol. I have experienced Testors taking on an amber tone over years, and interaction with decal solvent & setting solutions. Neither is immediately apparent, but with time they appear and become more visible.

I've heard of spraying a coat of dullcoat corrects the frosted look you've had. Use a different brand of dullcoat.

I have to agree with Don on the Testors Dullcoat. I have never had an issue with it to date.

Testors Dullcoat is my go-to dulling spray.  While I usually use enamels I do occasionally use acrylics and have had no problems with compatibility.  I have not used it with Vallejo.

Any time I am trying a new paint or post painting product I make a test on scrap.  Paint a piece of scrap plastic with the paint- when thoroughly dry try the clearcoat.

Other matt finishes include general purpose flat clear acrylic spray and matt clear polyurethane, in addition to all the hobby shop stuff.