Hello all,

I am using Vallejo premium airbrush satin varnish. It's of a rather thin consistency and says it's meant for the airbrush, but when I spray it on it has a very slight texture.

Is it supposed to be perfectly smooth or is some texture normal? What I'm seeing isn't quite orange peel, but it is a little rougher than a perfectly smooth coat of paint. I see this regardless of whether I spray it on in a thin layer or wet.

Thanks!

The Satin Varnish can be airbrushed and is thicker than the Gloss version...just like the Matt version is thicker than the Satin.

I suggest adding a drop of Vallejo airbrush thinner to 4 to 5 drops of varnish. This should smooth things out for you.

Just so you know, with the matt, I thin close to 50/50. You will get a dead flat finish with a couple of thinly applied light coats.

I have sometimes the same problem. Not always. I try to thin the varnish with Tamiya acrylic thinner in random proprsions. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't...

I've managed to smooth out the model to a great extent with an 800 grit sanding stick, but I'd rather not have to do that on every model. I guess I'll try thinning the varnish with either water or Vallejo thinner.

Side note: be careful when using tamiya thinner with Vallejo products, as they are completely different solvent systems. Tamiya is propanol based and Vallejo has their own mix. X-22A does not mix with Vallejo paints.

I agree ... use Vallejo thinner when using their products.

Tamiya is a solvent based acrylic...when dealing with water-based paints, you will want to stick with thinners made for them. Water will work, but it will not break the surface tension like the thinners will.

I know it,s not so popular but I really try to use the same thinner as the paint brand. I've had fewer problems. It takes just a kit or two to have painting issues before you realize the additional cost is worth it.