Technical Question regarding Testors

[Plynkes]

Hi.  I'm pretty new to the whole world of painting with acrylics, and I'm still finding my feet with regards to painting figures this way. And when it comes to vehicles I feel completely lost with these funny, new-fangled paints that don't stink. Therefore I didn't feel I had sufficient techniques in this medium available to me yet to do my new British tank justice. So I went back to my diminishing stockpile of old Humbrol enamels to paint it, and back to my old tried and trusted ways.

Now I've decided I want to put a little protection on it and I find I don't have any Humbrol varnish, and to be honest I always had a lot of bother with that stuff anyway. So I just wondered if giving it a go with some Testors' Gloss for protection followed by some Dullcote to get rid of the shine would be a wise move?

That's what I do with my new acrylic-painted figures, I'm just wondering if there are any unforeseen issues with using this stuff over enamels? Anybody have any experience of doing this? Don't want it to eat the paint-job or anything, and ruin all my work up to this point. Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks, chaps.

[PeteMurray]

I've never had a problem with solvent-based finishes over acrylics--KrystalKleer and Dullcote being the two I used.

[Westfalia Chris]

Yup. In theory (and thatīs pretty much "anytime I tried it"), you can simply paint over a well-dried enamel paintcoat with acrylic products. Only thing that might prove difficult, if you use a thin water solution (ie a wash or brush-on varnish), it might pearl off shiny enamel surfaces. But with dull enamels and spray varnish, there shouldnīt be too many problems.

Note that Iīm a staunch "acrylicist". But I started out with Revell enamels, and they were rather good, indeed - but I just canīt bring myself to accept the disadvantages any more (stench, thinners, et al...).

[dominic]

Dullcote's my favourite matt varnish!
But make sure you put on a gloss coat before applying Dullcote.

[demi_morgana]

my fav matt varnish is model master's one:
till I started using it I had no idea what it REALLY matt surface!

[Hammers]

I use <whatever brand that is available> gloss laquer varnish over acrylics. I then dull down the gloss with acrylic since laquer dullcoats are so fickle and can leave milky residue in an extremely annoying and damageing way.
Spray on dull coats sometimes dry semi gloss.