Matt Varnish 17ml

Vallejo Matt Varnish 17 ml, a clear matte varnish

Matt Varnish from Vallejo is a clear matte varnish on an acrylic base in a 17 ml dropper bottle. It is thinned with water, contains no solvents and after drying it forms a durable matte film that protects the finish against abrasion, dust and damp.

What it IS: a transparent final coat that changes only the gloss of the surface to matte. What it is NOT: it is not a paint, it has no covering power, it will not repaint or lighten anything. Nor is it a white finish; in the bottle and while drying it is milky, and once dry it stays clear.

Use: matte varnish goes on LAST OF ALL

Matte varnish is the last step of a build. The order of the work is crucial and failing to keep to it is a common source of ruined work:

• 1. Paint: paint the model and let it dry thoroughly.
• 2. Clear GLOSS varnish (a separate product): a smooth intermediate coat under the decals, so that the decals do not silver.
• 3. Decals.
• 4. Washes, filters and patina: on a gloss surface they can be wiped off safely.
• 5. Clear MATTE varnish (this product): the final coat that evens the gloss of the whole model out to matte. Without it the model stays unnaturally glossy, and the gloss differs from area to area on top of that.

A matte surface is the foundation of realism on military vehicles, tanks, aircraft and figures, because real combat finishes do not shine. Use gloss varnish during the build, therefore, and matte at the end of it.

Tips: how not to ruin the varnish

Apply it in thin coats. A coat of matte varnish that is too heavy or too wet can turn white, fog over or go powdery, because in a heavy coat the matting agent settles on the surface and the model takes on a white dusty bloom, above all in recesses and engraved lines. Two or three fine coats with a pause between them are better than one heavy one. Shake the bottle thoroughly before use, because the matting agent settles to the bottom. Varnish only over a finish that is completely dry and never in high air humidity.

Who the varnish is for

For modelers of military vehicles, aircraft and figures who want to finish a model with a realistic matte surface and protect the decals and the patina at the same time.

Shake before use. Apply in thin coats. Make sure of adequate ventilation when spraying and protect your airways. Keep out of reach of children.