RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 10, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2021 I have bought a fair few Scalescenes card models and am about to start assembling some. The instructions say to use "artist's spray varnish" however I already have various spray varnishes for my kit models. Does anyone here know if the varnish has to be a specific type? If so, what do other card builders recommend? Can I use an acrylic spray, such as Vallejo or Humbrol, which I already have plenty of? cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted April 10, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2021 I guess a lot depends on what paper and inks you used. Just try a few and see what is best.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danemouth Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I use the spray cans sold for use by artists e.g Windsor & Newtons Dave 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted April 10, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) Some of the plastic kit spray varnish will bleach all of the colour out of the printed sheets, have a guess how I found that out! I use inkjet fixative spray varnish. Cheers Ian Edited April 10, 2021 by traction 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I've used B&Q brush varnish (matt). My take is to print on A4 size sticky labels and they fix easily to plasticard. I use the buildings in the garage and am wary of cardboard in there, and I seal them against damp with the varnish. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simonmcp Posted April 11, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 11, 2021 Just make sure the varnish is not water based, found that out the hard way. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 12, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 12, 2021 mmm... interesting, how would I know that when ordering? cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simonmcp Posted April 12, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 12, 2021 I was brushing my varnish on, so maybe if sprayed it wouldn't wash the colours out of the inkjet prints. Incidentally I found that some sheets printed on a colour laser printer were not very well fused to the paper and the toner came off when brushed with a stiff paintbrush. I think if you look for Exterior varnish then that is usually not water based. Otherwise check out the section (if it is on the website) about cleaning the brushes out after use, if it says use thinners or whitespirit then it should be okay. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campaman Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 I have found that most spray varnishes are fine is you apply multiple very light coats so as not to saturate the paper/card. I currently use Windsor & Newton Acrylic matt varnish sprayed on using my airbrush, slightly thinned using IPA. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted April 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2021 Useful info thanks. With the paper sheets for platform surfaces, can anyone recommend a glue that they may have used; probably going on Plasticard or perhaps Balsa base. Also if anyone has used these did you apply to card before mounting on another surface? I wasn't planning to. I'm only doing an experiment to see if the paper sheet looks OK rather than a painted surface (for gravel or tarmac). Many thanks. Phil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 As I've said before, print on to self adhesive labels, A4 size. No glue needed then. Seal with a coat of your favourite varnish. Mine is B&Q or similar matt varnish brushed on. Stewart 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adriank Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 From the Scalescenes website: It is strongly recommended giving sheets several light even coats of artist's matt spray varnish (used to fix chalk and pastel drawings and available from most art supply shops). This helps protect the print surface during construction and reduces fading and discolouration. Always test the varnish on a scrap print before applying to your kit! Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 15, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2021 Thanks Adrian, I bought some Inkjet Fixative, as mentioned by Traction Ian, and it seems to work quite well. cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 19, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 19, 2021 (edited) Hi Phil, Most people are still answering my original request, which has now been resolved by obtaining Inkjet Fixative. It is a varnish that secures the ink from running or fading etc. As to a fixative for sticking your printed sheets to a backing surface, I find that a general glue stick; such as Pritt Glue Stick, works fine. I've used Pritt to glue the Scalescene sheets to paper, card, balsa wood and plastic; and its convenient to use. cheers, Mike Edited April 19, 2021 by Royal42 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted April 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 19/04/2021 at 13:05, Royal42 said: Hi Phil, Most people are still answering my original request, which has now been resolved by obtaining Inkjet Fixative. It is a varnish that secures the ink from running or fading etc. As to a fixative for sticking your printed sheets to a backing surface, I find that a general glue stick; such as Pritt Glue Stick, works fine. I've used Pritt to glue the Scalescene sheets to paper, card, balsa wood and plastic; and its convenient to use. cheers, Mike Cheers MIke. That's good, a sticky rather than a liquid sort of glue. I have to admit to being a duffer as my sets are actually Scale Scene Models. Derrrrrr. My age is outrunning my Brain. Sane idea but they supply the sheets. Scalescenes is a downloadable thing isn't it? My bad. P 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted April 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 15/04/2021 at 08:08, stewartingram said: As I've said before, print on to self adhesive labels, A4 size. No glue needed then. Seal with a coat of your favourite varnish. Mine is B&Q or similar matt varnish brushed on. Stewart My bad Stewart. I actually misread my Product's name. It is Scale Scene Models products, ready printed. Not Scalescenes. My apologies. No excuse except my age! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 20, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Mallard60022 said: Scalescenes is a downloadable thing isn't it? Yes, downloadable which is advantageous to me with my shaky hands and watery eyes. If I buy a card kit then I get one kit. If I ruin it whilst cutting, glueing or painting, then I don't have a kit. With the downloadables, if I ruin the build then I just print another one. Similarly, I want a row of bridges, stanchions or shops etc., I just keep printing them off. Works for me. Mike the septuagenarian Edited April 20, 2021 by Royal42 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhdesigns Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 It’s a personal choice whether to use varnish or not. You don’t need to use any specific brand of varnish as long as you use matt varnish. This is mainly to protect the printed finish from fading and the like. If you’re weathering any kit after building then I would suggest sealing it with matt varnish afterwards to protect it. Just remember to cover any windows properly before using any varnish as this will cause them to be frosted or misted. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted July 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 28, 2021 general glue stick; such as Pritt Glue Stick, works fine. I've used Pritt to glue the Scalescene sheets to paper, card, balsa wood and plastic; and its convenient to use Phil, I've never tried to glue Scalescenes papers direct to balsa wood, as Dalerboard and other types of card are my preferred medium here. I also use Pritt sticks and the like, but I always apply the glue to the card, rather than the brick paper. Once the brick paper has been carefully put in place (unless it's an actual Scalescenes kit, I always try to cut the brick paper a little oversize), I then put the piece between two sheets of A4 paper and rub it down, to ensure the brick paper has glued nicely to the card and is also flat. The whole lot then gets put under a load of heavy books on a flat surface, to ensure it all dries nice and flat. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ELTEL Posted July 5, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 5, 2023 (edited) Started a new topic Edited July 5, 2023 by ELTEL Deleted as started a separate topic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 I've used varnish from B&Q to seal my Scalescenes & Metcalfe card models, with no ill effects. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DY444 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 On 05/07/2023 at 20:58, stewartingram said: I've used varnish from B&Q to seal my Scalescenes & Metcalfe card models, with no ill effects. Please could you give a link to the specific product you are referring to. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I honestly can't remember, probably went for the cheapest on the shelf, and the inish (matt/satin/gloss) that I felt appropriate. The principle was that the varnish sealed the model without discolouring it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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