The Little World

The English modeller, Matt Ball, has an expression he uses when he’s on the Flory Models vlogs:

” It does what it says on the tin ” – spoken in his local accent, it’s a great endorsement for whatever product he’s tried. Because he actually has used the product and it has performed well. I take note of his endorsements – he’s done the experimentation and I can benefit from the experience.

Well, I can apply the expression to these to products from Micro Industries – they are water-based varnishes for final sealing of paintwork and decals, and they indeed do what they say on the tin.

I was cautious – I selected two panels on my MiG 23 Buster that had a gloss finish and subjected them to the satin spray. One panel got the varnish mixed with water and one mixed with plain old methylated spirit.

Apart from the fact that the meths mix dried faster, there was no difference to the appearance at the end – a smooth semi-gloss finish that altered the gloss finish underneath. I hurried the panels along with an air spray to dry them faster – it all went well.

Then I tested the waters on a $ 10 stash buy – a MiG 21 in Ugandan Air Force colours with very old decals. It came through brilliantly – no patchiness, no harm to the decals – dried very quickly.

Then another similar stash build – a Mirage F.1 in Moroccan colours – and it went just as well.

I shall experiment with the full matt coat when I next make an armoured vehicle or a WWII plane.

As it is the money equation is very good, when you compare the Micro products to the other lacquer varnish I’ve been used to.

a. Lacquer varnish 30 ml = $ 18

b. Micro varnish 30 ml = $ 10