Satin Varnish - Which One?

[dr_gn]

All,

I'm building a 1:12 MP4/6 with the TS detail sets and additional parts from RB Motion. A lot of the turned parts are very bright, unrealistically so, and I'd therefore like to tone down the brightness with some satin varnish. I'd like to also use the same satin coat on the engine and gearbox castings, and general carbon fibre parts like brake ducts, cockpit panels etc.

Even though the real car may have had reasonably glossy finishes on CF parts, they weren't surface polished, and I really don't like the 'dipped in treakle' look for scale models; I think it gives unrealistic highlights and can ruin an otherwise nice model.


I've tried mixing Klear and Tamiya Gloss clear (separately!) with Tamiya Flat Base, but can't get consistent results - plus I sometimes get a white residue on test parts, which would be a disaster on the actual parts.

I've also tried Winsor & Newtor Galeria Satin, which I find too glossy. I could mix it with their Matt, but ideally I want a pre-mixed "go-to" satin that's just the right reflectance. I've got some Tamiya Semi-Gloss Clear on order, but just wondered what other folks use?

Thanks.

[Andrey]

Gunze Sangyo C181 Gunze Sangyo C182

[Andrey]

Gunze Sangyo C181 Gunze Sangyo C182

[dr_gn]

Gunze Sangyo C181 Gunze Sangyo C182

Thanks, but which one are you recommending?

[Andrey]

I use both depending on the details of the original.

[dr_gn]

I use both depending on the details of the original.

OK thanks.

I use Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. Do I need to order specific thinners for Gunze paints?

[Eric1968]

I love to use Tamiya TS79 semi-gloss clear for satin varnish. Decanted ans spray with airbrush.

[turboF1]

Instead of a varnish would you consider washing the nuts and bolts with a diluted black acrylic? I’ve seen here how the small nooks and crannies fill and give a more realistic look of a bit of grease/oil/grime where they would accumulate in the real world. Plus it would knock down the shine.

[Andrey]

For paints of the "C" series, it is better to use this one

[dr_gn]

Instead of a varnish would you consider washing the nuts and bolts with a diluted black acrylic? I’ve seen here how the small nooks and crannies fill and give a more realistic look of a bit of grease/oil/grime where they would accumulate in the real world. Plus it would knock down the shine.

Thanks, I’m using subtle washes for certain components, but these cars never accumulated much dirt - they were completely stripped and rebuilt after every race, and partially stripped several times during a race weekend. I’m experimenting with a wash on the stud and nut pins to highlight the joint, but that’s about it.