Airbrushing Varnish

[Splurch]

I use Liquitex Gloss Varnish through an airbrush when protecting my minis (followed by a matte coat). I currently use a .5 needle at about 15psi and spray enough that the varnish looks like a smooth wet surface before it is dry. I haven't had any issues with this so far. Recently came across a thread about thinning varnish and thought I'd look up some info on how other people applied varnish and have found a surprising lack of info on actually applying varnish. So, anyone have tricks, techniques or do it massively differently? Is it worth looking into thinning the gloss varnish and using a smaller needle if I'm not having issues? It is my understanding that thinning it will weaken it, which is why I never have as I mostly paint for tabletop.

 

[Zab]

keep doing what you are doing. When you mess with it you get a lot more than weak protection. It can start to frost your minis and ruin hours of hard work.

 

[Webmonkey]

Just be sure to clean your gun immediately after use. One thing you really don't want is varnish drying inside the tip. You think getting dried paint out is bad?? Try some hardened gloss coat,... you'll be at it forever.

 

[Splurch]

Zab - I've never had a gloss coat frost before, even from a can, and I've sprayed it on thick in the past just to see if it would. Interesting that thinning it would have that effect. Matte frosting on the other hand is why I switched to using an airbrush to varnish. Had some can matte that frosted several minis years ago and haven't used can stuff since.

Webmonkey - For sure, it's just a pain to fix when a little bit is left holding the needle in

 

[Zab]

I thinned a bit once and it must have changed something because it frosted a bit and even made the acrylic paint underneath bubble a bit. Mind you this was actual furniture varnish so ya know... use the hobby and craft stuff, I guess.

 

[airhead]

I thinned a bit once and it must have changed something because it frosted a bit and even made the acrylic paint underneath bubble a bit. Mind you this was actual furniture varnish so ya know... use the hobby and craft stuff, I guess.

What did you thin it with?

Just curious if the reducer was the culprit. I've shot automotive clearcoats reduced with automotive lacquer thinners that have eaten through the paint underneath.

 

[Zab]

It was some kind of toxic thinner for sure. Smelled a lot like turpentine but had a fancy name.

 

[MAXXxxx]

odeur le smelly-turp.