Help me make my planes less shiny!

**horsepyre** · 09-27-2013 13:04

Hi all,

I recently completed six triplanes from Jasta 11 (pics in the official Dr 1 thread). The repaints came out nicely, but, as I'm sure you're all aware, the decals have a rather shiny finish (as do the parts that I didn't paint over - WoG planes are naturally shiny).

Ideally I'd like them to have a duller, more natural finish, but I'm unsure what the best way to do this is. I should note that I don't own an airbrush or any other fancy tools - I'd like something I can brush on, but I don't know if it exists!

What methods do you use for dull coating your planes?

**Nightbomber** · 09-27-2013 13:33

It is an easy job, Austin. You should apply a thin layer of matt varnish. I can recommend a pactra acylic one, but any other should work fine.
One suggestion. Check how the decals you placed react with the varnish! There are kinds of decals that can be easily destroyed when you apply any varnish on them!

**horsepyre** · 09-27-2013 13:35

Originally Posted by Nightbomber

It is an easy job, Austin. You should apply a thin layer of matt varnish. I can recommend a pactra acylic one, but any other should work fine.
One suggestion. Check how the decals you placed react with the varnish! There are kinds of decals that can be easily destroyed when you apply any varnish on them!

I used the waterslide Dr 1 decals from Aerodrome Accessories - are they safe to varnish over?

And I'm happy for any recommendations on a good matte varnish that I'd be able to find at my local hobby stores - what do you normally use?

**Nightbomber** · 09-27-2013 13:45

I have not tried AA decals so far, so do not have any experience with them. I usually use Pactra acrylic paints and matt varnish. I suggest you sacrificed some left over decals and make an experiment. I used Dom's decals for WWI repaints and they were varnished perfectly. But others WWII ones bought on ebay were just destroyed completely with that varnish.

**Boney10** · 09-27-2013 13:50

Hi Austin, look for Micosol, this will melt the decal into the contours of the model.
Just paint the Microsol over the decal with a paintbrush, I have used this on other Cal Faber decals, just don't use a lot of the Microsol.
Once dry varnish the model with Matt varnish, some people gloss varnish before decaling then Matt varnish, all good methods.
I personally use a Matt acrylic varnish and paint it over the model rather than use a spray, but both work.

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 09-27-2013 15:18

Not being ofay with microsol, is it easily available or only by mail from a specialist dealer?

**gully_raker** · 09-27-2013 22:39

I have used both Games Workshop & vallejo matt varnishes on Aerodrome Accessories Decals as well as on Dom's & Microscale.
You can thin it with just a little water to ensure its not to thick.