Varnish Problem

[NARSES2]

Right now I'm obviously doing something wrong so can anyone help please ?

I varnished my Ms 406 using Humbrol Clear Matt and managed to get some quite serious white marks on the kit. Now although my model room is a bit chilly I doubt it is below 10C which is a temperature Humbrol say not to use the product below.

Now I gave the bottle a good shake to mix the heavy white stuff at the bottom of it and the clear stuff above (its a brand new bottle by the way) and then applied the varnish by brush. Now I've got white smears/deposits over the model in places. Some of the deposits, around the tailplane braces for example are quite heavy, I'm assuming this is because the varnish has gone on to thickly ?

So how do I overcome this ? With the Windsor and Newton I've previously used I warm the bottle in warm water for 20 mins or so before hand then give a good shake (count to 200  ) and don't get a problem. Should I do the same with the Humbrol ? Should I thin it with a small amount of water ?

How the heck do you get a thin coat whilst using a brush basically as I'm obviously being a numbskull ad doing something wrong 

I get the same problem with Humbrol spray varnish and therefore assume that is also because each coat is to heavy ?

Help please lads

[kitnut617]

is it acrylic varnish Chris ?

[Dizzyfugu]

If it's the enamel Humbrol varnish, then you need to stir it up well and longer. Had this occur also once or twice - happens when the bottle has been at rest for a long while and the thinner and the varnish separate into two layers.

If it's acrylic varnish thinned witb water it could be calcium carbonate due to hard tap water. Using destilled water and/or antifreeze mixture (that's what most acrylic varnish thinners mostly are) can help to avoid the white residue - I have this problem, too, with Revell's acrylic varnish when it becomes too thick after a while.

[jcf]

Matte varnish is just regular varnish with an added matting agent and if that agent isn't thoroughly mixed in,
you'll get streaks.

[NARSES2]

Right gents

Firstly it is acrylic - Humbrol's relatively new formulae

Secondly, at the moment I've not added water but I take Dizzy's point and I do live in a hard water area

Thirdly, thanks Jon, more mixing/shaking it is then. I'll see what happens when I try it on a test piece (and yes Jon, matte it is, I'll write it 100 times before bedtime  )

Thanks lads