• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Scale Modelling Now

Scale Modelling Techniques

  • HOME
  • CONTENTS
    • What’s New
    • MODELLING WORKSHOPS
    • Techniques Bank
    • Aircraft
    • Classic Kit Builds
    • Armour
    • Podcasts
    • Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Space
    • Vehicles
    • Maritime
    • Figures
    • Dioramas
    • Gift Certificate
    • Book Reviews
  • WHAT WE OFFER
  • AREAS
    • Techniques Bank
    • Aircraft
    • Armour
    • Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Space
    • Vehicles
    • Maritime
    • Dioramas
    • Figures
  • FREE SAMPLES
  • EVENTS
  • ABOUT
  • TRADERS
  • CONTACT

How to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes onto Alclad2 Metallic Lacquers

Airbrushing – Metallic Finishes

with Geoff Coughlin

Spraying Alclad2

There’s a complete how-to for spraying Alclad2 metallic lacquer paints in your SMN Techniques Bank under Model Painting and Airbrushing (Airbrushing – Metallic Finishes).

But what about spraying Alclad2 varnishes?

That’s what this entry is about and specifically how to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes over Alclad2 metallic lacquer paint finishes.

There are of course many other options for spraying Alclad2 clear varnishes over other paint finishes and we’ll look to cover some of these elsewhere in your SMN Techniques Bank over the coming months.

Target project: Hobby Boss J-29B Tunnan, Swedish Air Force.

Here are a couple of photos of my completed project so you can see how effective the combination of Alclad2 metallic base, lacquer (paint) and top coat of Klear Semi-Matte varnish.

What follows are 3 videos taken from the huge ‘Video Build’ for the Tunnan full build project that you can find in Aircraft-Finished Now (HobbyBoss pages). There are in fact 37 HD video demos covering that whole build and it is well worth a look for seeing all the other stages of the build.

The model has been primed with Alclad2 Gloss Black Base and the metallic finish is Alclad2 Dull Aluminium (ALC-117)

There are a number of Alclad2 clear varnishes ranging as you would expect from gloss to flat and so it’s worth taking a look at the Alclad2 website when you get a moment – the range of products is vast!

My opinion is that Alclad2 offers the best range and quality metallic paint range out there and is my default-to range every time.

Problems with applying a clear varnish over metallic finishes…

The fact is, that should you apply just about any other varnish (other than Alclad2 clear varnishes) over just about any metallic finish, it’s likely to kill all the subtle tonal effects of the metallic paint. Obviously this is not good :(

This is why we’ll be covering much more on varnishes and what works best with what and I have to tell you right up front that one of the simplest solutions is to try and stick to the manufacturer’s own products. Inevitably there are choices here and I have and do deviate from this rule of thumb from time to time but that’s for another entry in SMN.

Problem solved!

Back to Alclad2 metallics – they have been specially formulated to work well with the Alclad2 clear varnishes and the great thing is that with careful use, the metallic effects that you have created will shine through even when over-sprayed with their clear varnishes.

So how do they work and how do you use them?

For me, this is well illustrated in the following videos that come from the Target Build above, my HobbyBoss Saab J-29B Tunnan in 1:48.

It starts with good prep and application of the Alclad2 metallic lacquer over their gloss black or grey primer (see separate entries in your SMN TB for that). By the time I get to the decal stage, the metallic lacquer (paint) is smooth enough to usually take the decals without the need to apply a gloss varnish. So, you see, the clear varnish is really just for (or primarily for) getting the decals to look painted-on.

The metallic lacquer creates pretty much the effect I’m after and it’s all about making the sure the decals look like painted on markings. The tell tale sign of the decal of course is usually that it has a shinier look to the surrounding metal and looks like just what it is – a decal! That’s what we need to change – we need to blend in any visible carrier film and seal that in before finally applying by usually lightly spraying (misting) on the final clear varnish such as matte, satin, or gloss or any of the other variations in the Alclad2 range.

Here are some of the clear varnish products available in the Alclad2 product range:

Now take a look at the following videos and this should show you how I work through the above steps – any questions at all, just drop me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to help.

VIDEO DEMOS





Here are a couple of other projects where I have used the combination of Alclad2 metallic lacquers and their clear varnish.


(Photo: Kinetic F-86 Sabre in 1:32)


(Photo: Hong Kong Models Gloster Meteor F.4)

Both of the above are full build articles in Aircraft Finished-Now, just click on the manufacturer link for each to get to the usual pages that have all our completed builds for each manufacturer.

Just before I go…

You can of course just use Alclad2 clear varnishes to create different reflective areas and panels on your model, whatever your subject. A lower psi pressure in your compressor, say, 12-15psi can help control where your varnish goes, especially when you come in closer to about 3-5cm (2 – 2.5ins) from your model. Be careful to spray lightly and not too ‘wet’ (heavy) and keep your airbrush on the move to avoid pooling (excessive build up of varnish in one place).

Until next time…

Geoff C.

Reader Interactions

Ask a question or add feedback:

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

LOGIN/LOGOUT

Lost your Password?


modelpainting techniques-landing Painting Techniques Weathering Techniques
DISCLAIMER While the hints, tips and advice in Scale Modelling Now magazine have worked for us, no guarantee is given that they will always work, that they are applicable to you or that there may be Health & Safety issues if you do follow the advice. It’s very much up to you to decide if you want to try them out. All relevant safety regulations regarding knives, adhesives, solvents, paints, etc. are implied.

Model Painting Techniques

AIRBRUSHES
Iwata Revolution M1 airbrush - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate APEX Airbrush
AIRBRUSHING WITH ACRYLICS
Acrylic Ink Paints for airbrush – Mr Paint
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro
How to mix and spray acrylics - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
How to paint with AMMO Acrylics – Problems and Solutions with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol Acrylics and how to spray them - VIDEO DEMO
Using Ultimate Airbrush Thinner - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Vallejo Model Color – How to airbrush tutorial - VIDEO DEMO
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting - 6 VIDEO DEMOS!
AIRBRUSHING WITH ENAMELS
Getting the mix right and spraying
AIRBRUSHING METALLIC FINISHES
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro - VIDEO DEMOS
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 2
Burnt metal effects
How to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes onto Alclad2 Metallic Lacquers - VIDEO DEMOS
Stynlrez primers and how to use them
AIRBRUSHING - LOOKING AFTER YOUR AIRBRUSH
Airbrush lubricant, how to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Choosing the right brushes
Cleaning your airbrush and blow-back technique - VIDEO DEMOS
Removal of airbrush tip for cleaning - VIDEO DEMO
Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your airbrush - VIDEO DEMO
BRUSH PAINTING
How to brush paint with Humbrol Water-Based Acrylics
CANOPIES
Applying tinted shades - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
FrogTape low-tack masking tape - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
CODES AND INSIGNIA
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
Spraying German WWI crosses - VIDEO DEMOS
Spraying your codes and insignia - VIDEO DEMOS
COMPRESSORS
Iwata Studio Series Smart Jet Pro Compressor - VIDEO DEMO
Neo Air for Iwata miniature air compressor 2 VIDEO DEMOS
FIGURE PAINTING
How to Paint 1:35 German Fallschirmjager Monte Cassino Tutorial - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint 28mm Napoleon and Napoleonic Horses - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint Bravo 6 ‘Wardaddy' - VIDEO DEMO
Making a wet pallet - VIDEO DEMO
Painting 1:35 scale faces : a beginners guide - VIDEO DEMO
Quick figures – Painting with Lifecolor water-based acrylics
Ultracast SS Tiger Tank Commander 1:32
GERMAN VEHICLE COLOURS
German Vehicle Colours
GLOSS FINISHES
Why a gloss finish?
MASKING
Blu-Tac putty : using rolls of putty - VIDEO DEMO
Creating your own camouflage masks
Creating your own masks with Gilles Pepin
Creating round masks for circular windows
Gyro Cut swivel head cutting tool - VIDEO DEMO
Infini Easy cutting mat Type B - VIDEO DEMO
Make your own Luftwaffe paint masks
Making your own masks for spraying – from the decal sheet! - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Masking canopies
Masking canopies and clear parts – 2
Masking canopies with Parafilm-M
Making paper masks
Masking tape
Masking tape adhesion problems – solved! VIDEO DEMO
Pre Cut Camouflage Masking Sets
Quick Wheel Masks for AFVs - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Specialist paint masks for camo and markings
Strawberry laces to mask camo fine feathered edges
Tamiya Curved Masking Tape – How to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Using Tamiya tape to create curved camo patterns - VIDEO DEMO
METALLIC FINISHES
AK Xtreme Metal finishes – how to get an Aluminium finish - VIDEO DEMO
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
Aluminium foil to create a NMF – The Peter Doll way
Applying metal pigment with a Rubber Brush – with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Burnt metal effects
Chrome lenses using a Molotow ink pen - VIDEO DEMO
Cowls on WWI aircraft – textured and hammered effects
How to apply metal foil - 3 HD VIDEO DEMOS
Mr Metal Colour - VIDEO DEMO
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – Intro - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – hand painting - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
PAINT BRUSHES
How to use AMMO Long Live The Brushes - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol paint brushes
Kolibri paint brushes
PAINTING
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How To Paint A Rusty Turret - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 1 - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint with AMMO acrylics
Hand-painting Tamiya Color acrylic paint
How to paint a resin seat with molded in belts
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
PAINTING ARMOUR INTERIORS
How to paint and weather armour interiors tutorial
PAINTING CAMOUFLAGE FINISHES
Luftwaffe WWII camouflage mottling – VIDEO DEMO
Spraying acrylic camo patterns freehand - VIDEO DEMO
PAINTING WHEELS
Getting a neat demarcation between hub and tyre - 7 VIDEO DEMOS!
PASTELS FOR MOTTLING
Using pastels to apply German armour camouflage pattern - VIDEO DEMO
PRIMERS
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How to Use AMMO One Shot Primer - VIDEO DEMO
Decanting paint from spray cans for airbrushing - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol Acrylic Grey Primer – how to spray - VIDEO DEMO
It’s Prime Time – using primers
Primers: Russian Green & Tracks – Ammo of Mig Jimenez
Stynlrez primers and how to use - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate Primer - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
STRIPPING PAINT
Using Fairy Power Spray Cleaner to strip paint - VIDEO DEMO
Using Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner to strip paint
SURFACE PREPARATION
Micromesh to get rid of paint demarcation lines - VIDEO DEMO
Micromesh Polishing Cloths - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Using Micromesh to polish the paint surface
WOOD EFFECTS
Creating woodgrain effects using RB Photo etch templates - VIDEO DEMOS
Simulating wooden propellers
Wood grain effects – and how to paint them - VIDEO DEMO
YELLOW AND RED AIRBRUSHING / PAINTING
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting
OTHER
Choosing the right source of air
Hand hold for painting armour subjects
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
How to paint and weather cockpits - VIDEO DEMO
Paint pallet and cleaning
Pre and post shading
Protecting your painted finish
Storing your Lifecolor paints

Copyright © 2022 · Scale Modelling Now · Online Scale Modelling Magazine · Scale Modelling Techniques and Tips · Privacy Policy

en English
ar Arabicbn Bengalibg Bulgarianzh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)cs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englishfi Finnishfr Frenchde Germanel Greekhi Hindihu Hungarianid Indonesianit Italianja Japanesemt Malteseno Norwegianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiru Russianes Spanishsv Swedishth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainiancy Welshyi Yiddish