Stripping Varnish & Not Paint?

[Baron|Roboto]

Folks,

I'm pretty annoyed with myself - I've applied my customary Vallejo Gloss varnish, followed by Matt varnish; up til now I've had no issues - you can barely tell it's on.

However, this time while varnishing Hoffman of all people, something's gone wrong - the varnish has dried to form this gloopy coating which basically removes the crispness of the model.

Does anyone know if there exists a way to remove the varnish without damaging the paint work? Or am I essentially stuck with my Master frozen in transparrent carnbonite?

Many thanks,

Barron Roboto

[Huang Da Wei]

I think its the latter. stripping varnish I think is bound to have an effect on the paint somehow.

I do hope someone proves me wrong and suggests a way for you to save the model.

[EvilGinger]

If the gloss and the matt varnish is Acrylic & I belive all Vallejo is then you are not going to be able to strip it alone as any thing you use will likly attack both layers. If the under layer was say Polyurethane varnish then you might be able to do something.

The problem is all matt Varnish dulls the paint its painted over & the only way of reducing this is to use a very thin (watered down) coat indeed which is no use for protecting the figure, hence the gloss coat, its just to give the figure a matt finish.

I hope that helps a bit

[Ratty]

I know there is an issue with humidity that sometimes causes spray to go on white and powdery, you can sometimes fix it if you put an extra layer of Varnish on top, to redisolve the original varnish. But I think it won't work in this case.

I have once seen the gloop issue with the matt Valejo paint on, as far as I can tell it's caused by the varnish being painted on while the gloss is still wet.

Edited January 1, 2012 by Ratty

[Yazza]

I think so as well. Of the varnish and paint are the same makeup. In this case acrylic from vallejo. I think its impossible to just remove the varnish.

To all stripping products to my knowledge the stripping fluids don't care if is transparant or opaque paint. It just keeps going till its meets something incompatible

[EvilGinger]

I am always rather nervous when I am applying Matt varnish to my figures & rather with wish it would go out of fashion & I could stop at the gloss coat like we had to before there was mat varnish.

I may try to start a campaign - SHINY FIGURES ARE COOL even if they are very difficult to photograph

[diehard]

I never use a gloss varnish, just hit them with a matte spray, have been for years and have had no problems with paint chipping or rubbing off, but I handle my figures gingerly and don't get to play as much as I'd like so most of the time they just sit in the cabinet or on a shelf looking pretty (to me, anyway.)

And, as I'm sure you're already getting the gist of, but I also know of nothing to help with your dilemma. As previously stated, anything that you use to strip the varnish will also strip the paint, as they are both acrylic based.

[mistycalla71]

This idea might help but it will take time to do it right. Like the others said your layers are married together , but I have used Nail polisher thinner I repeat thinner not remover to remove less than perfect paint jobs or sealer, gloss and matte. Yhe only problem with this is nail polish thinner will break down the layers,but it evaporates quickly so several attacks will be necessary to get thru your coats. If you go too deep it maybe possible to do some touch up.. This is unperfected method. Thinner can be bought at Ulta or other beaty supply store and using small tight cottoned tip qtips. If possible test it out on a mock up fig to see how it works for you. The mock up should be done just like the fig your attacking. Doing small areas and lots of patience..or sponging on with a light touch than dry sponge pat drying. I hope this helps my results have been mixed so be brave good luck..

[Yazza]

or just get some 5min 2 component glue, goop it on and make it a slime covered mini?