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

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

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

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.

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

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

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