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7/13/2025, 6:01:44 PM
Okay, little conclusion from previous thread post about varnishes, here are better quality photos made with actual camera rather than phone, done on painting training marines. Each varnish was heavily shaken before use and applied with brush damped in water, allowed to dry overnight. Summing up with additional notes:
>Vallejo matt varnish, either straight from bottle or 1-1 thinned with their own thinner ends up rather glossy and dry long. I applied second layer next day, didnt change the glossy effect.
>Vallejo Premium Color on very close inspection shows small bubbles in crevices and similar areas but normally invisible to naked eye. More satin than matte but otherwise even, might slightly saturate colors.
>Vallejo "Mecha Color", tested as mixed either with their flow improver (one drop in 5 drops of varnish) or Vallejo Thinner (1-1), have same result - nice, even, matte effect with only slight trace of gloss. Mixing with water is not recommended, it will separate quickly and leave pool marks or frosting. Suggested to use in small amount at time and stir regularly as it tends to separate. Quite durable mechanically.
>AK "Ultra Matt" with "Matt Varnish" and GW "Contrast Medium" (25-25-50%), very good matte and probably best final effect. Require good mixing before use or can cause frosty/chalky effect and desaturate colors
>Small bonus in form of Gouache Varnish thinned with white spirit (in this case from Talens brand) - aside from subtle matte effect barely change the surface but varnish is there for sure and have acceptable mechanical resistance. If you want to be a painting hipster, it sure is an option.
Tldr: AK "Ultra Matt" + "Matte Varnish" + Contrast Medium is probably best option but Vallejo "Mecha Color" Matte Varnish 50-50 with Vallejo Thinner is also good and probably cheaper.
>Vallejo matt varnish, either straight from bottle or 1-1 thinned with their own thinner ends up rather glossy and dry long. I applied second layer next day, didnt change the glossy effect.
>Vallejo Premium Color on very close inspection shows small bubbles in crevices and similar areas but normally invisible to naked eye. More satin than matte but otherwise even, might slightly saturate colors.
>Vallejo "Mecha Color", tested as mixed either with their flow improver (one drop in 5 drops of varnish) or Vallejo Thinner (1-1), have same result - nice, even, matte effect with only slight trace of gloss. Mixing with water is not recommended, it will separate quickly and leave pool marks or frosting. Suggested to use in small amount at time and stir regularly as it tends to separate. Quite durable mechanically.
>AK "Ultra Matt" with "Matt Varnish" and GW "Contrast Medium" (25-25-50%), very good matte and probably best final effect. Require good mixing before use or can cause frosty/chalky effect and desaturate colors
>Small bonus in form of Gouache Varnish thinned with white spirit (in this case from Talens brand) - aside from subtle matte effect barely change the surface but varnish is there for sure and have acceptable mechanical resistance. If you want to be a painting hipster, it sure is an option.
Tldr: AK "Ultra Matt" + "Matte Varnish" + Contrast Medium is probably best option but Vallejo "Mecha Color" Matte Varnish 50-50 with Vallejo Thinner is also good and probably cheaper.
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