Turning Gloss into Matte?

TheChronicOne · December 18, 2016, 03:41:30 PM

Another seemingly obvious question that I probably already know the answer to but it's worth asking anyway...

The setup: I don't want to apply transfers on matte paint, so I coat my work with gloss then another coat to seal in the decals.

My question is this: is there any way after all this to have the finish somehow go back to matte without having to buy it or am I just stuck with the gloss?

I don't recall seeing matte clear where I bought my gloss but will look again. I wasn't specifically trying to find any at that time so I could have easily missed it. Also, I'd rather not have to buy anything right now so if there is any "trick" or something, then by all means fill me in...

Thanks!

PR19_Kit · December 18, 2016, 04:26:50 PM

A coat of matt varnish is really the only way to do it.

I suppose if you were REALLY crazy you could very accurately sand off the gloss varnish where you needed it, but you'd have to VERY accurate and you'd risk sanding off the colour as well.

TheChronicOne · December 18, 2016, 04:48:03 PM

Thank you, Kit. I was afraid of that... won't be no sanding of gloss for me.

I'll just sit back and wait a few days. I'm going to mow/do a clean up on a lawn the 22nd and then I'll try to find a rattle can somewhere in Lawton, OK that sprays flat or matte clear. That said, I'd love to entertain suggestions of brands or whatever. I know Wal-Mart has certain things but there are other home supplies box stores and other hardware and paint stores around that carry different brands and types of paints/finishes.

NARSES2 · December 19, 2016, 06:14:13 AM

For things like matt varnish you are sometimes better off looking in the art supplies section of the shop or in an art supplies shop it'self. They tend to carry a lot of different ranges and most is very good quality.

As for brands most of the hobby companies produce matt varnish so in the U.S. Testors may well be the most easily obtainable ? No idea what it's like as I've not used any Testor's product (that I'm aware of)

Old Wombat · December 19, 2016, 07:02:46 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on December 19, 2016, 06:14:13 AM
For things like matt varnish you are sometimes better off looking in the art supplies section of the shop or in an art supplies shop it'self. They tend to carry a lot of different ranges and most is very good quality.

As for brands most of the hobby companies produce matt varnish so in the U.S. Testors may well be the most easily obtainable ? No idea what it's like as I've not used any Testor's product (that I'm aware of)

Testors DullKote is my matte varnish of choice, Unfortunately, here in Adelaide, it's a rare & sought after commodity, so I use Tamiya Flat Clear as a (relatively poor) substitute.

DullKote is also available in bottle form for use with hairy sticks or airbrushes but I haven't tried that, yet. Maybe early in the new year.

Dizzyfugu · December 19, 2016, 07:09:06 AM

My most recent positive surprise concerning matt varnish is Italeri's acrylic offering. Bought it out of curiosity, because the Revell acrylic matt varnish I used to apply fo some time turns into a foggy soup - but you only recognize the point once you have ruined your model... Not certain if the Italeri stuff turns on me after a while, too, but so far I am impressed with the good properties of the stuff. Very matt, easy and evenly to apply (I use brushes), no visible residue once dry.

TheChronicOne · December 19, 2016, 10:29:49 AM

Good stuff... I believe I am armed with the knowledge I need to make a purchase. I just realized a funny thing, the place I buy all my lawn equipment parts is also some sort of 3M distributor and they have a lot of the fancy paints and products and stuff and I do believe I'll be paying a little more attention to that side of the store next time I am there. Also... pretty sure I saw a selection of Testors stuff at the LHS here and failing both of these I'll ebay it or something.

Thanks for the helps!

The Rat · December 19, 2016, 08:24:27 PM

At one time you could buy tubes of matting agent, add it to gloss paint and you had matte paint. Had a tube many moons ago, believe it was made by Humbrol, but it's been lost to time. Don't know if it's still available.

PR19_Kit · December 19, 2016, 09:51:09 PM

Quote from: The Rat on December 19, 2016, 08:24:27 PM
At one time you could buy tubes of matting agent, add it to gloss paint and you had matte paint. Had a tube many moons ago, believe it was made by Humbrol, but it's been lost to time. Don't know if it's still available.

I recall that too, and it worked quite well, but it tended to go white and powdery after a while.

I haven't seen any for years now.

zenrat · December 20, 2016, 02:34:44 AM

Just to stir you all up as you are agreeing...
...I use satin clear rather then matt. I find matt is too flat and like the slight sheen satin gives me.
It's called White Knight crystal clear acrylic (or that might be krystal klear) and comes in large rattle cans from our Bunnings chain of hardware warehouses. I think it is made specifically for them and so won't be available over there.

NARSES2 · December 20, 2016, 05:57:55 AM

Quote from: The Rat on December 19, 2016, 08:24:27 PM
At one time you could buy tubes of matting agent, add it to gloss paint and you had matte paint.

You still can get it from Artist's supply shops

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on December 19, 2016, 07:09:06 AM
My most recent positive surprise concerning matt varnish is Italeri's acrylic offering. Bought it out of curiosity, because the Revell acrylic matt varnish I used to apply fo some time turns into a foggy soup - but you only recognize the point once you have ruined your model... Not certain if the Italeri stuff turns on me after a while, too, but so far I am impressed with the good properties of the stuff. Very matt, easy and evenly to apply (I use brushes), no visible residue once dry.

I've not seen that Dizzy, but it is one to bear in mind as I to use a brush and I've stopped using Humbrol as I seem to get a lot of "white smears" with the stuff.