varnish/laquer

[djcf]

Hi PDs,
I have painted a hull with "Halfords" enamel sprays, very pleased with the coverage etc. However, later I found that they don't do satin or matt varnish, only a gloss laquer. To shiny i would imagine.

 So I tried humbrol satin enamel varnish spray, on a test piece, found that the aerosol just spits out the varnish, & clogs solid very quickly. (after shaking for about 10 mins and in a dry mild atmosphere) so won't be using that.

 I'm going to try the Plasticote clear satin spray, I have heard about people using this, some say its great, some disagree, so, has anyone used it?? I dont mind spraying a test piece first to check its all compatable.

 Another option is to brush on ronseal satin, but I want to spray preferably.

 So seems my options are....

 Use halfords enamel laquer, & have too shiny a finish

 Try the plasticote satin

 So basically just wondered if anyone has an opinion on the Plasticote clear satin

cheers
Clark

[Stuart Badger]

HI Clark

sounds to me like a duff tin (shelf life?) of Humbrol satin. Try inverting the can and spraying until nothing but gas comes out, re-agitate and try spraying normally again.

Plasticote is (IMHO) OK - but no better than Humbrol.

A GOOD water based satin varnish should do the job OK and if you use a high quality Sable brush will leave no brushmarks.

Hope this helps - All the best

Stuart

[djcf]

Hi Stuart,
Yes it probably was a duff can, but I did get told in a model shop that Humbrol are discontinuing the enamel spray varnishes, indeed I got the last two from stock. (they could have been there for ages).
 It just kind of put me off spraying the hull with the other can.
 I had a similar problem with Humbrol many years ago, it seems to me that the smaller spray can (150ml) just doesn't have the pressure to deliver even coats. Maybe I have just been unlucky though!!
 Think I will try a test with the Plasticote see how it turns out first, before I put any on the hull!!
cheers
Clark

[PeeWee]

Hi,

here are a couple of shots of my Envoy,  painted with Halfords Grey/red primer then coated with halfords clear lacquer.  it does not say what the finish is on the tin.  its not too shiny but i would test on your underlying paint.

[Talisman]

Hi Clark
I use Plasticote clear gloss enamel in the little glass jars (Homebase & B&Q supply )

What i do is
 - Thin them as they are to thick & quick to set when doing long runs
- Thinning it also makes it very much easier to avoid brush stroke marks
- it also seems to make the finish more satin than gloss.

Personally i don't like using spray varnish for the reasons you have mentioned.

Now here is the problem -

When in B&Q last week do get some for Jeanie they are running the old enamel out to replace it with new water based enamel .... have yet to give them a try.
Hope that might help,
Kim

[Talisman]

On re reading Stuarts post he recommend water based ... Excellent !
The one advantage of the plasticote stuff (might be true of all water based varnishes?) is it goes on white so easy to see where you've done

[djcf]

Thanks all, for the advice.

Will now do a bit of experimenting on some scrap, and see how the laquer and the Plasticote turn out.

Ian, the Envoy is very impressive!!

Clark