AK Interactive Varnish

[jpc1968]

I recently bought AK'S matte and gloss varnish. The bottle states you can use your own thinner but they recommend theirs? But they give no ratio. So my question is this: what are the ratios? And is it regular paint thinner like tamiya or is there a special thinner for varnishes? Any help would be much appreciated

[fseva]

I recently bought AK'S matte and gloss varnish. The bottle states you can use your own thinner but they recommend theirs? But they give no ratio. So my question is this: what are the ratios? And is it regular paint thinner like tamiya or is there a special thinner for varnishes? Any help would be much appreciated

Can you tell from the info on the bottle exactly what kind of base they're using? Because you mentioned "paint thinner", I'm assuming you think the AK varnish is enamel-based, correct? If so, it should thin with mineral spirits or even odor-free paint thinner. However, Tamiya also makes alcohol-based acrylics, and you can use 91% alcohol or denatured alcohol to thin. You're probably not going to find a "ratio". Most hobbyists thin to suit their application - if airbrush, thin until it atomizes correcty; if hand-brushing, if full strength goes on too gloppy, just add a few drops of thinner until it goes on smoother without sacrificing coverage.

[jpc1968]

Thanks. I purchased it from Mega Hobby website. Description says acrylic varnish but the bottle doesn't. So I'll test it out first and treat it as acrylic.

Edited May 16, 2015 by jpc1968

[Ace-Garageguy]

You'd think if it's truly 'interactive" like your heading states, it would send you an e-mail or text to let you know how to thin it.

You might try to find a TDS online on the product (technical data sheet) rather than relying on info from people who have no idea what the product actually is.

Good luck finding info. It's often helpful to understand the chemistry of a product before you buy it, in order to know what ELSE you're going to need to use it.

Edited May 16, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[jpc1968]

Thanks

[jpc1968]

Found this from their website: Our standard glossy varnish now available in 60 ml jars at a more competitive price, this waterborne acrylic varnish allows the modeller to easily apply a gloss fi nish to any kind of kit and surface. It can be applied directly from the bottle using both airbrush or brush – just shake it and use it! Our varnish is soluble in water, meaning that you won’t have odours as you would experience from the more aggressive, solvent-based varnishes. It can be thinned with AK712 acrylic thinner or water if necessary.

[fseva]

Found this from their website: Our standard glossy varnish now available in 60 ml jars at a more competitive price, this waterborne acrylic varnish allows the modeller to easily apply a gloss fi nish to any kind of kit and surface. It can be applied directly from the bottle using both airbrush or brush – just shake it and use it! Our varnish is soluble in water, meaning that you won’t have odours as you would experience from the more aggressive, solvent-based varnishes. It can be thinned with AK712 acrylic thinner or water if necessary.

I would add that like Vallejo's new 60ml Premium line, it is already thinned for airbrush. However, I do not recommend using water if you do thin it... this is what everyone in the industry says when they know you won't need to thin it, but in some cases, you can actually damage an acrylic by the overuse of water as a thinner - it has a tendency not only to thin, but to break down its properties. So, I have taken to using an acrylic "flow medium" or "airbrush medium" to thin acrylics, because it actually gives everything an acrylic needs to thin it and perhaps even improve it. Now, as far as hand-brushing goes, you'll have to give it a try - if it goes on nice and smooth right out of the bottle, you have no need to thin it further. I would think, however, that it isn't going to make the best hand-brushing acrylic on the market, simply because it has been thinned for airbrush. You may find you'll have coverage problems...

[jpc1968]

I will be using it for airbrushing. When you say "medium" are you referring to an acrylic thinner?

[fseva]

I will be using it for airbrushing. When you say "medium" are you referring to an acrylic thinner?

Yes, in art-speak, a medium is an addiitive that affects the main product in some way - they have transparent, opaque, retarding (slowing down drying time), and other mediums. In the case of Liquitex Airbrush Medium (what I use in place of water), it is an additive for acrylic paints that will act as a thinner, but also an enhancer of the acrylic.

[FordRodnKustom]

Just experiment and mix till it's right, then you'll know.