I need some help here...I got some Humbrol matt cote, brushed it on a figure over acrylic paint, for a matte coat, and it dried as glossy as could be! WHAT did I do wrong? First time I have ever used the stuff. Thanks for any advice or clues!

Hi Robert

Did you stir it thoroughly? Failure to do so is often the reason for matt finishes looking glossy.

Humbrol Matt Cote separates out over time, leaving a cloudy sediment at the bottom of the bottle. It needs a good stir before use.

Hope this helps.

Rowan

Concur. A really, REALLY good stir. When you apply it, try and apply it really thinly...it doesn't take much, too thick and it might leave 'white' spots.

Vinnie

what do you use to thin the humbrol varnishes? I've used white sprit in the plast it was fine but I did get those little "white" patches

Is the paint still "fresh" ? Matt varnish tends to get white or glossy when it gets too old.

Personally I think it's the stirring part the caused this gloss, but if not, the age of the paint could be a second thing to think over.

hmmm...interesting. I did stir it, it was a brand new bottle, although I've had it for a while. It does look cloudy. I will stir it again like crazy, and give it another try. I didn't thin it, I put a very light coat on the figure. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know what happens! :-)

I think you have an incompatibility problem. I have always used Humbrol product. When I built the Centurion earlier this year I tried some Tamiya enamel. When I applied Tamiya flat enamel over the tissue paper/white glue mantlet cover it dried glossy. When I then applied Humbrol Clear Matt it also came out glossy!

I waited a few days and tried again- same thing.

I then got some Microscale Micro Flat, which also a dried glossy.

By now I was getting desperate! However the Micro Flat must have acted as a seal coat 'cos when I then applied a coat Humbrol it came out lovely and flat.

As an aside the Micro Flat is a real problem. It varies from dead flat to high gloss depending on the base coat and so far I have been unable to establish what it likes/doesn't like.

Regards Dave

Hi Dave

Thanks for the warning. I've used Micro Flat for years and never had this problem. I've actually recommended on Armorama as a simple solution, but it looks like I might have been lucky.

I'll be using it again soon over a variety of paints, so I'll shout if I find any problems.

Cheers

Rowan

Hello, one question, I have the Micro Flat but I'd like to put on my model a general matt colour, not gloss color. It is possible to apply the Micro Flat on all the model to make it a matt colour. What it is the procedure?
Thanks

there is nothing wrong with Humbrol paints James. I use them almost exclusively now for both brush and AB.

So your post really is just a personal opinion on your part rather then advice.

cheers
Cliff

Ive never liked the little tins of Humbrol matt either. No matter how much I stirred they always were glossy or left patches of gloss.
I use tamiya for most base colours and airbrush weathering. Detail painting, washes, drybrushing, etc are done 80% humbrols and possibly 20% oils. I also use future/Johnssons for decals, so I do need a flat cote again.
The little square glass bottles of Matt Humbrol, are excellent. I use this all the time and never had a problem. I thin with humbrols own thinners. I only use this, and its over quite a few types of finishes, and Ive never noticed any problem yet!