To continue I will firstly enclose a reply from the manufacturer of the Humbrol Clear Gloss Varnish which arrived a few days after the last copy was sent into the magazine and is as follows:
“Humbrol Clear is based on an acrylic polymer and in order to film form needs good conditions – sufficiently warm and sufficiently low relative humidity. Clearly it is difficult for the customer to control the humidity but the fact that the Humbrol Clear has dried milky indicates that the level of humidity has exceeded the parameter of the varnish. An increase in temperature can help a lot and will in effect increase the dew point temp. The white deposit is acrylic polymer that has not film formed because of inadequate/poor drying conditions. With regard to the removal – warm soapy water and a stiff brush can sometimes work if the film formation is particularly poor. If film formation is more complete then Cellulose Thinners can be resorted to but this will damage plastic and under lying paint work. Incidentally brushing lightly over the milky film can also give rise to a clear film but the consequences of the presence of Cellulose Thinners can be damaging to underlying paint as mentioned.”
It’s great to get a response back from the supplier who in addition is going to run sample tests to see if they can replicate the problem.
I am not convinced that any of the above apply as I sprayed this in my model room where all other paintwork is done and the Vallejo I used to correct the problem worked fine. If the parameters for using this are so tight that one can only spray within these then it will be very hard to use, but let’s hold an open mind and see what the experts come back with.
Back to the model
Let’s get back to the model and apply the markings which consist of just a Balkan Cross on each side of the hull and as for a late war machine these were very small.
I had a set of Eduard spray masks for late war cross and selecting a small set applied them to the side of the vehicle. Masking tape was used to extend the area of protection and once happy the “L” shapes (white parts of cross) were removed and put back onto the backing material and then an off white colour was misted onto the uncovered area. Once dry the mask was removed and the paintwork checked.
I then took Vallejo 71021 Black Green and hand painted in the black portion having masked off the ends of the cross. Once this was dry a coat of semi-matt varnish can be applied all over the model, allowing it to dry for a couple of days to allow the paint to cure before the filter is applied which is enamel based.
