Varnish gone wrong!

Alex Shaw

Member since
November 2009
From: United Knigdom

Varnish gone wrong!

Posted by Alex Shaw on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:07 AM

Hi again,

I just coated my model in varnish, and after letting it dry, lots of little white specks have popped up all over it. Here are some pics, has anyone got a way I can remove them without damaging the underlying paint?

You can see them here on the darker part of the wing (sorry the quality is awful)

And also here on the right

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VanceCrozier

Member since
February 2003
From: Rothesay, NB Canada

Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:17 AM

Can you tell if it is dust that has settled as the varnish has dried? Or might it be specks of varnish that have settled out - ie old varnish or varnish not mixed well? Hard to tell from the pics you've got up.

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Alex Shaw

Member since
November 2009
From: United Knigdom

Posted by Alex Shaw on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:20 AM

It's definitely not dust, so i suppose it must be the varnish

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VanceCrozier

Member since
February 2003
From: Rothesay, NB Canada

Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:29 AM

Hmmm, if you think it's in the varnish I'd try it on something else before you go any further, maybe even spray some onto some black cardboard or plastic etc., just to see if it settles out the same way. Sometimes the stuff needs a better shaking (or stir). Is it a spray can? Soaking the can in warm water & then shaking can help mix things up better.

Anyway, whether you use the original varnish again, or switch to new stuff, process is the same. You're going to want to lightly sand the areas that have spots. Expect to need a few touchups, and then varnish again. (Or you can use enough weathering to cover the spots!!! I've been there!!!)

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Alex Shaw

Member since
November 2009
From: United Knigdom

Posted by Alex Shaw on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:33 AM

I'm using some vallejo stuff put through my old badger250. Anyway, the white spots aren't all that noticeable, so maybe i'll disguise them as chips!

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VanceCrozier

Member since
February 2003
From: Rothesay, NB Canada

Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, October 6, 2011 11:39 AM

There's no shame in adding chips!!! You could also try dry-brushing a little paint over top of the spots and then varnishing the area again, it would at least get rid of the white spots.

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Thursday, October 6, 2011 5:35 PM

Hit the spots with a little clear gloss, they should clear up pretty quickly (no pun intended). Then make sure your flat coat is well mixed before re-coating with the flat.

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DoogsATX

Member since
June 2010
From: Austin, TX

Posted by DoogsATX on Thursday, October 6, 2011 5:44 PM

I'm assuming this was flat varnish. If so...what you've got is little clumps of "too much flat" turning white. A gloss coat should clear it right up. Then either make sure you really mix the flat (and maybe strain it), or switch to a different varnish.

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck: 1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

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VanceCrozier

Member since
February 2003
From: Rothesay, NB Canada

Posted by VanceCrozier on Friday, October 7, 2011 7:49 AM

DoogsATX

I'm assuming this was flat varnish. If so...what you've got is little clumps of "too much flat" turning white. A gloss coat should clear it right up. Then either make sure you really mix the flat (and maybe strain it), or switch to a different varnish.

...glossing over the problem??

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister