Weathering a high gloss Heljan Class 15

[PGC]

I bought a Heljan Class 15. I model late 50's / early 60's East Anglia so wanted one with no yellow panels. The only one available was the high gloss green, which looks nice but not very convincing for the layout.

 

I obviously need to put matt varnish on at some point to reduce the glossiness, but what I'm not certain about is whether to put a coat of matt varnish over the high gloss before weathering and then put more matt varnish at the end or leave it high gloss before I start weathering, and put a coat of matt varnish on once I've finished.

 

What are other people's thoughts please?

 

Thanks in advance and happy new year.

 

Phil

 

PS - from an earlier thread, I try to be a linguistic pedant, but I always struggle with apostrophes so if they are in the wrong place, please tell me!

 

[Metr0Land]

I've not done this model myself but when I have anything glossy/satin, I do the weathering and then matt varnish at the end. (Usuallt Testor's Dullcote)

 

Years ago, when very few people dipped their toes into weathering I recall some of the 'professionals' at the time used to say something along the lines (assuming they were eg scratchbuilding a loco) "The loco starts in ex-works gloss, and my weathering starts from there, just like the real thing"

[Enterprisingwestern]

The problem is the HJ glossy finish doesn't take weathering very well, personally I matt varnish them first.

 

Mike.

[Mark Forrest]

You don't say what you intend to use to weather it (paint or powders or both), but either way I would go for a coat of Dullcote before weathering.  

[Mick Bonwick]

Definitely a coat of Testor's Dullcote before you start anything. After that you can use enamels, acrylics and powders with gay abandon!